Business granted Climate Active certification
La Trobe Financial has received Climate Active certification for its Australian business operations.
The non-bank lender said the certification was in recognition of its ongoing commitment to making a positive impact on the community, having achieved carbon neutrality for 2021.
Climate Active seeks to empower Australians to take climate action, providing a unique Australian-government backed program that enables all levels of the community to work together to drive climate action.
Climate Active certification is awarded to businesses proving they are climate leaders to clients, customers and shareholders. Certification is awarded to those that have achieved carbon neutrality.
La Trobe Financial said it had worked closely with independent advisers Carbon Neutral to measure emissions activities. Its carbon footprint was offset through investments made in high integrity Gold and VERRA Standard projects, specifically designed to reduce or absorb greenhouse gas emissions equal to the level produced throughout the year.
La Trobe Financial CEO Chris Andrews (pictured above left) said he was “very proud” to receive Climate Active certification for the company’s Australian business operations, and to be recognised as a climate leader by customers and key stakeholders.
The company chose to go carbon neutral to demonstrate its commitment to improving the community, environment and building a better future, he said.
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“With a seven-decade corporate history, we recognise our responsibility as a generational business and the ongoing importance of ESG and carbon neutrality to our staff, our customers, our community and the ongoing health of the planet,” Andrews said.
La Trobe Financial director ESG and international partnerships Caterina Nesci (pictured above right) said each year moving forward, the company has a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Over the last two years, La Trobe Financial had worked closely with Carbon Neutral, she said.
“We have now implemented our formal carbon reduction plan with a view to being net-zero by 2030 and are already seeing the fruits of the process already implemented: reduced travel, sustainable procurement practices, reduced waste and landfill, and a transition towards paperless offices,” Nesci said.
All staff and every aspect of the business were “truly committed” to playing their part in the important work of reducing carbon emissions, she said.
La Trobe Financial said further announcements regarding its ESG commitments would be made over the coming months.
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Having recently celebrated its 70th birthday, La Trobe Financial is an asset manager offering home loans and investments. The non-bank lender works with brokers, offering their clients a broad range of home loan options.
