Sustainable Transformation Podcast: RIAA Episode

by Sustainability Tracker 09/09/2026

Podcast

This article was contributed by Sustainability Tracker.

Where 4.5 Trillion Aussie dollars goes when we’re not looking

Most of us can tell you exactly what goes in the recycling bin, but very few of us could tell you what’s actually inside our superannuation. And according to Estelle Parker, co-CEO of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), that gap matters more than almost anything else we do for the planet.

RIAA is the industry body that certifies which super funds and investment products can genuinely call themselves responsible or ethical, and its network covers a scale of money most of us can barely picture.

In this episode, Kiarne sits down with Estelle to work through why so few Australians ever check where their money goes, what words like “ethical” and “sustainable” are actually supposed to mean in finance, and just how easy it is to find out. It’s a conversation about trust, proof, and the surprising amount of power sitting in every Australian’s super account right now.

You’ll hear and learn:

Why nearly 90% of Australians expect their super to be invested responsibly, and why so few have ever checked
What “ethical,” “sustainable” and “responsible” actually mean in an investment context, and why they don’t mean the same thing to everyone
The simple analogy that makes sense of how certification works, even in an industry as complex as finance
How rigorously investment products are reviewed before they can carry a genuine responsible investment label
What it actually takes to check or switch your own super fund, and why it’s simpler than most people expect

RIAAis a not-for-profit organisation that champions responsible investing and a sustainable financial system in Australia and New Zealand. RIAA is dedicated to ensuring capital is aligned with achieving a healthy society, environment and economy.

The directories below are free for anyone to use. RIAA does not receive commissions from product providers when consumers switch products or seek advice.

Find RIAA certified products

Find RIAA certified financial advisers

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever wondered whether their money is doing the right thing, or wants an easy way to find out without needing a finance degree.

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CREDITS:

Host: Kiarne Treacy

Guest: Estelle Parker

Guest Company: Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA)

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.