As addressing environmental and societal issues continues to grow in importance both locally and internationally – with consumer behaviour becoming more intrinsically linked to ethical considerations – a need for a more measurable and criteria-led business framework has emerged. Environmental, social and governance or ESG is that framework.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of our business, as the State’s central financial services provider ‘providing financial solutions for the benefit of the WA public sector’. Building a secure and reliable business and meeting the needs of stakeholders have always been our focus.
Kaylene Gulich Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Treasury Corporation
Government Working Group
Since 2021, WATC coordinated a working group of 24 government agencies to consolidate information on the State’s current and planned ESG-related polices and initiatives in progress. This work helps inform existing and prospective investors of the State's ESG profile, now and into the future, to aid their investment decisions in an increasingly ESG-conscious environment.
Continued Coordination and Development
Investor Interest in Sustainable Investment
Our investors recognise the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in assessing risks and value as part of their investment considerations. They are very much focussed on the State’s ESG credentials and commitment to the Paris agreement objective to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
At WATC, we have released a Sustainability Bond Framework to finance client initiatives that meet internationally recognised ESG standards. The framework complements the Western Australian Government’s ongoing efforts to improve ESG outcomes for the State and progress global objectives and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Good Governance
As a Western Australian State Government Agency managing the State’s financial assets and liabilities, we have a strong internal and external governance framework. Our external governance framework is embedded in legislation, including Ministerial and Parliamentary oversight, and outlines our key functions and activities we can legally perform. Internally we have a Board-approved risk management and compliance framework that, together with our corporate governance and organisational systems and processes ensures good governance.
Our Commitment to Inclusivity
Our staff Code of Conduct requires that all people working at WATC act professionally, courteously and honestly, treating others with respect as reflected in our corporate values. As an extension of our Code of Conduct, our diversity and inclusion plan builds on our current positive practices and guides our progress to be a more inclusive organisation. Find out more below.
Diversity and Inclusion Series
10 April 2024International Women's Day at WATC
This year, we joined forces with other government agencies to explore pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls everywhere.
10 April 2024Celebrating cultural diversity during Harmony Week
How's your general knowledge? During March at WATC, collective brains were tested in our World Quiz as part of Harmony Week.
21 September 2023Challenging Unconscious Bias
Our journey towards workplace diversity and inclusivity continued with team members attending unconscious bias training during the month of June.
18 July 2023Living with Disability
During April, Clint Morgan from Rebound WA spoke to the WATC team about his lived experience with disability, the impact to his life and career and what the community can do to support Western Australians living with a physical disability.
18 July 2023Acknowledge This! A Team Workshop.
While cultural acknowledgements become more prevalent, their significance and origins are not always as widely known. During May, the WATC team deepened their understanding of Indigenous culture, with an Acknowledgement of Country awareness workshop.
13 April 2023Celebrating International Women’s Day
During March WATC honoured women in the workplace with a special event focusing on pathways to leadership and work-life balance.
Banner images:
Top - Wildflowers at Kings Park and Botanical Garden with Perth city in background. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.
Above - All article images courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.
Below - The Bungle Bungle Range. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.
Sustainability Bond Framework Annual Report
This release demonstrates our commitment to reporting transparency and supports the WA Government’s sustainability strategy.