Sustainability at Rest

We’re taking actions for a better, fairer, and more sustainable future

Members are at the heart of Rest. We are focused on your financial future, and we support actions that will build a better, fairer and more sustainable future for you. Whether it’s investing in clean energy or advocating for a fair super system, Rest has a focus on sustainability. You can follow our progress here. Read more about Rest’s progress in the Sustainability, Responsible Investment and Climate Change Supplement.

Sustainability policies in place

May 2013 - Rest puts policies in place for Sustainability and Proxy Voting

Rest’s first female CEO

May 2018 - Vicki Doyle appointed as Rest’s first female CEO

Full ACSI member

July 2018 - Rest becomes a full member of ACSI, taking seats on the Board and Member Council

Rest signs UN PRI

February 2019 - Rest becomes a signatory to the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI)

Collgar Wind Farm 100% Rest owned

June 2019 - Collgar Wind Farm is fully acquired by Rest, making it one of the largest Australian renewable energy projects directly owned by an Australian superannuation fund at that time

Supporting Women In Super

December 2019 - Rest continues support for an equitable superannuation system and formally joins Women In Super

Rest joins RIAA

January 2020 - Rest joins the Responsible Investment Association of Australia

6 Star Green Star design rating

February 2020 - Quay Quarter Tower achieves an impressive 6 Star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia

Achieves an 'A' in the PRI

March 2020 - Rest’s first and voluntary PRI Assessment Report achieves an ‘A’ in the Strategy and Governance module

Sustainability strategy

May 2020 - Rest Sustainability strategy is aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Investor Group on Climate Change

June 2020 - Rest joins the Investor Group on Climate Change, which advocates for government policy and investment practice to address climate change risks and opportunities

Modern slavery assessment

September 2020 - All Rest investment managers assessed for modern slavery risks

Net zero by 2050

November 2020 – objective to achieve a net zero carbon footprint for the fund by 2050

'Sustainable Growth' launched

March 2021 – Rest’s ‘Sustainable Growth’ investment option is launched

RIAA Responsible Investor Leader

September 2021 - Rest first recognised as a Responsible Investment Leader by Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) in its 21st Responsible Investment Benchmark Report 2022

Sustainability, Climate Change and Responsible Investment Supplement

October 2021 – Rest’s inaugural Sustainability, Climate Change and Responsible Investment Supplement to the Annual Report was published

'Sustainable Growth' is RIAA certified

June 2022 – Sustainable Growth has been certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia according to the strict operational and disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program. See Responsible Returns for details^

Business and investment performance is unlikely to thrive in a world of poverty, inequality, unrest and environmental stress. So it’s in our interest to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Endorsed by all 193 United Nations Member States in 2015, the SDGs focus global efforts in a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. They provide a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all*.

Reconciliation and Rest

As one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member super funds, Rest recognises we can play a role in achieving reconciliation and supporting a more equitable future for all our members.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) formalises our commitment to addressing inequalities that exist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It outlines how we’re embedding the principles and purpose of reconciliation across our organisation to support our First Nations members, staff and communities.

Diversity and inclusion

Rest fosters a diverse and inclusive culture where people feel welcome and inspired to do their best, regardless of their differences.

We support diversity, recognising that people from different backgrounds bring different skills, knowledge and experiences. This diversity of views strengthens decision making in the best interests of Rest members.

Rest has a 33% minimum target for males and females on the board, was achieved in June 2022.

Read Rest’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer Statement

Investing in renewables - Collgar Wind Farm

As a superannuation fund managing more $80 billion in assets**, the most meaningful contribution to sustainability we can make is how we invest. Responsible investment helps us manage risk, maximise investment opportunities and contribute to a more sustainable future for our members. This means that your retirement savings can be invested in resilient organisations that are helping to build a sustainable economy; creating financial returns for you, and social and environmental returns for many. The WA Collgar Wind Farm is a great example. The Collgar Wind Farm is WA’s largest Wind Farm located 25km south-east of Merredin.

Climate action

We understand that the impact of climate change concerns our members, and that it is a financial risk for long term investors. With 50% of our members under the age of 30*** and with decades before retirement, it is important to think long term. So, we have adopted an objective to achieve a net zero carbon footprint for the fund by 2050. This reinforces our approach to managing ESG factors like climate-related risk and aligns with long term investment performance.

Click here to learn more about Rest’s roadmap to net zero emissions by 2050.