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Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Australia's Big Companies Face Critical Net Zero Investment Gap
New research reveals Australia's highest emitting companies are failing to back their net zero commitments with adequate investment, highlighting the need for a strong 2035 emissions reduction target and net zero plans to ensure Australia's transition. The Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and Pollination have released the first comprehensive analysis of how Australian companies translate climate commitments into capital allocation decisions. The Financing Australia's Corporate Climate Transition report finds a significant disconnect between corporate ambition and investment reality. Despite 66% of ASX200 companies making net zero commitments, few have adequately integrated climate considerations into their capital allocation processes. This investment gap between ambition and action highlights a weakness in Australia's transition to net zero without strong policies that ensure adequate private investment. Testing a new evaluation framework against 12 major ASX-listed companies in high emitting sectors highlighted the concerning gap. Only one company achieved high alignment in more than 50% of criteria, while three companies showed low alignment across half or more criteria. While 75% of companies demonstrated medium or high alignment in transition investment quality, only one company met the high alignment criteria for actual capital quantity. Policy certainty needed This investment gap demonstrates why Australia needs a credible 2035 emissions reduction target coupled with comprehensive sectoral pathways that provide clear direction for each part of the economy to reach net zero by 2050. A strong policy framework will give companies and investors certainty to make substantial capital commitments that align with their decarbonisation goals. The Climate Change Authority has recently released a sector pathways review which provides the foundation, but government action is needed to translate this into clear Sectoral Emissions Reduction Plans. 'This is the first deep dive into whether Australian companies are actually backing their net zero commitments with real investment,' said Richard Proudlove, IGCC Director of Corporate Engagement. 'What we've found is a significant gap between ambition and action. "Australia has the opportunity to lead in the transition, but without clear policy signals and adequate capital deployment, we risk being left behind and missing out on huge economic opportunities.' A framework for better capital alignment The report introduces a comprehensive framework with seven Guiding Principles across capital sourcing, management, deployment and enabling activities. It includes practical tools for investors and identifies 'red flags' indicating inadequate climate ambition. 'Companies are announcing capital expenditure numbers, but our analysis shows these disclosures don't provide enough detail for investors to assess whether the capital is sufficient or appropriately targeted to achieve their stated decarbonisation goals,' said Zoe Whitton, Managing Director at Pollination Group. 'Without clear policy frameworks like sectoral pathways, companies lack the guidance they need for effective capital allocation, and investors can't properly evaluate their transition strategies. This framework helps fill that gap.' The framework was developed through global case studies, stakeholder interviews and evaluation of 12 major Australian companies. It supports the Climate Action 100+ initiative by providing sophisticated tools for investor-company dialogue on decarbonisation progress. Effective climate transition requires capital allocation across entire sectors. This research provides crucial insights for policymakers designing the sectoral plans needed to accelerate Australia's transition. As the government prepares 2035 emissions reductions targets, this analysis reinforces the need for comprehensive sectoral pathways. Without clear policy signals, it will be increasingly difficult to close the investment gap, and Australia could miss out on the economic benefits of a decarbonised economy.
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- NZ Herald
IkeGPS continues run, up 8.6%; NZX 50 performance still bumpy
Kiwi Property Group led the way, rising 1.04% to $0.97, with Goodman Property not far behind, up 0.98% to $2.07. Singh also highlighted Briscoe Group, which gained 2.65% to $5.81. 'I think that's just a bit of volatility since it's been added into the NZX 50 recently,' Singh said. Gentrack was among the day's largest decliners, down 4.23% to $12 on volumes exceeding $1.7m in value traded. Ahead of close, Singh said there were 'two big trades that equate for about 95% of the volume'. Tech small caps IkeGPS Group shares lifted 8.6% to $1.01 after it announced it had successfully raised about A$18m (NZ$19.6m) through a fully underwritten share placement. The software company said its offer was strongly supported by existing investors and attracted several new long-term institutional investors from the ASX. The firm is trading at 52-week highs and is up above $1 for the first time since 2021. Black Pearl Group shares were up 7.08% to $1.21 after it said it had agreed to buy 100% of United States-based AI sales company B2B Rocket Inc. B2B Rocket uses AI agents to automate outbound sales for small and mid-sized businesses. It generates about US$2.1m (NZ$3.4m) in annual recurring revenue and is growing quickly in the US market. Chief executive Nick Lissette called the acquisition a 'classic 1 + 1 = 3″. In October last year, Black Pearl tapped investors for $10m to fund further expansion in the US. Like IkeGPS, the stock is up over 100% year on year. Elsewhere In a Forsyth Barr investor note, analysts Aaron Ibbotson and Benjamin Crozier raised their Ryman Healthcare target price by 20 cents to $2.85 because of earnings upgrades released late last week. Ibbotson and Crozier said forward-looking sales have improved to about 90% of their two-year average, up from 75% last quarter. 'One swallow does not make a summer, but we view this as an important step in de-risking the investment case.' The exchange's other two retirement operators, Summerset Group and Oceania Healthcare, were up 0.77% to $11.72 and down 1.32% to 75c, respectively. Singh said the industry would be watching the Real Estate Institute of NZ's (REINZ) data release on Tuesday, which would help the market see whether Ryman was a standout or part of a wider trend. He added that the index's largest constituent, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, was yet to be visibly affected by US President Donald Trump's renewed tariffs on Mexico, where the firm manufactures many of its products. The stock lifted 0.79% to $35.90 on volumes worth nearly $6m. 'FPH did not move much today, despite that, because at the moment, the products that they ship out of Mexico are still exempt under a free-trade agreement,' he said. 'This kind of builds on that expectation that at some point there could be a hit in terms of the Mexican production that FPH has.'
Techday NZ
13-07-2025
- Techday NZ
Black Pearl Group to acquire B2B Rocket in AI sales deal
Black Pearl Group has signed a conditional agreement to acquire all shares in B2B Rocket, a United States-based company focused on artificial intelligence for sales automation. B2B Rocket develops AI-driven outbound sales agents that generate, qualify and engage leads for small and medium-sized enterprises without requiring human involvement. According to information provided by Black Pearl Group, the platform has achieved more than USD $2.1 million in annual recurring revenue and is expanding its presence across the US. Details of the acquisition The acquisition deal includes an upfront cash payment and an equity component in Black Pearl Group. In addition, the arrangement contains a performance-based earn-out structure over five years, which combines cash and equity elements and is contingent on B2B Rocket reaching specified revenue milestones. The aim is to reward sustained growth and customer acquisition momentum, with a maximum payout designed to coincide with substantial annual recurring revenue expansion. Black Pearl Group Chief Executive Officer Nick Lissette connected the two companies' cultures and ambitions. "Relentless ambition is the common thread. B2B Rocket is cut from the same cloth as us - founder-led, customer-obsessed and unapologetically focused on delivering results. Their AI-powered outbound engine is the perfect complement to what we offer with Pearl Diver," says Blackpearl CEO Nick Lissette. Black Pearl's Pearl Diver product and B2B Rocket have already been integrated in certain customer environments, providing increased automation and cross-sell potential for sales teams. Lissette explained that bringing the two companies together is expected to provide material benefits for customers looking to increase their sales pipeline with fewer manual processes. "This is far more than just a bolt-on," says Nick. "It's an investment in category leadership where humans and AI work together to power customer acquisition at scale. This acquisition and our ASX ambitions reinforce our trajectory. Our platform, our people and our playbook are all geared toward sustained, scalable growth," adds Nick. Broader growth plans In parallel with the transaction, Black Pearl Group confirmed it is preparing to file an application to list its shares on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), signalling the company's intention to expand its capital market presence beyond New Zealand, where it is already listed. Nick commented on Black Pearl Group's outlook following the deal, stating, "With B2B Rocket on board and ASX listing in motion, we aren't just expanding; we're accelerating. Relentless ambition isn't just a the model," concludes Nick. B2B Rocket was described as a partner well aligned to Black Pearl Group's own focus areas, namely, technology for improving sales and marketing efficiency among small to mid-sized businesses. The combined operation will seek to serve an expanded client base through increased use of AI sales automation technologies and integration between the companies' respective platforms. The five-year revenue-based earn-out forms a significant component of the deal structure, providing incentives for B2B Rocket to achieve continued growth after the initial acquisition is completed. The integration of B2B Rocket's AI outbound sales technology into Black Pearl Group's platform is intended to unlock new opportunities for a range of business customers operating in the sales and marketing sectors. Follow us on: Share on:
