Make a Difference to Our Planet and Society With Your Superannuation

Supercharge your superannuation with responsible investments.

This post is presented in partnership with Aware Super.

Superannuation is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime, so it's important to understand where your money is going and why superfunds make the choices they do on your behalf.

It is possible to choose a superfund which makes a positive difference to society, while also providing its members with good returns.

Aware Super is a top performing industry fund^ which strives to invest in things that will improve communities, the economy and the environment, while avoiding the things that won't—such as tobacco, thermal coal, and weapons.

Below we’ve put together a list of ‘super’ cool places your money can go. And if you need some more info on how superannuation works in Australia, you can go here.

Help with global issues like climate change.

Aware Super take a Responsible Ownership approach to investing and take action to deliver sustainable outcomes for their members and the broader society.

Did you know that they were one of the first superfunds to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan, and have committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, plus economy-wide 45% reduction in emissions by 2030?

They also invest in one of the largest windfarms, Snowtown 2, in South Australia. This windfarm avoids 150,000 tonnes of Co2 equivalent emissions each quarter—that equates to powering almost 180,000 homes!

Image Credit: Aware Super

You can find out more about their climate change activity, such as their diversification away from thermal coal, here.

Use your super to make housing more affordable for essential workers.

Affordable housing is accommodation for key workers who are unable to afford market rents on top of general living expenses, such as travel to work, food and clothing.

A key worker is anyone who is employed in essential industries like healthcare, education, emergency services and law enforcement. Many Aware Super members belong to these key sectors in the community.

Aware Super has invested in over ten sites across Sydney, Canberra and Victorian suburbs which will make available over 1,000 units, rented at a 20 per cent discount.

Video Credit: Aware Super

Help create jobs and grow community services.

Aware Super seeks out community investments that are sustainable, generate jobs and contribute to a more productive economy. They also support the communities where their members live, work and retire.

There are some pretty cool things they invest in, like the NSW Fire and Rescue Academy, NSW Ambulance & Toll Helicopters - Aeromedical Training and Services Facility, Lend Lease Retirement villages, and more.

Image Credit: Aware Super

Your super can go towards property, infrastructure and innovation investments.

Aware Super invests in property, infrastructure and innovation investments. This is a great way to help diversify your portfolio. Diversification helps to creates the right mix of different types of investments, which can reduce investment risk as different assets tend to perform differently at different times in the economic cycle.

It also gives members unique points of difference that add value over and above the market return.

Here are some of their property investments—the Melbourne twin towers and Barangaroo in Sydney.

Images: Aware Super

You can learn more about their infrastructure investments in the video below!

Through their investment in the Blackbird Ventures 2015 Fund and Blackbird Ventures 2018 Fund, Aware Super have exposure to a number of innovative companies such as Canva, Fleet Space, See-Mode Technologies and Applied.

Having a super account doesn’t mean your retirement money should fund companies that aren’t socially responsible or ethical. With Aware Super, you can put your conscience at ease and know they are aiming to invest to deliver good returns over time.

If you’re looking for a new superfund and want something that focuses on delivering strong returns as well as making a positive impact in the community, check out Aware Super and start investing in your future.

Header image: Mike van Schoonderwalt and Maitree Rimthong via Pexels

^{^ SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey 30 September 2021 (Default Options Index - approximately 220 options). Aware Super Accumulation High Growth option delivered an average yearly return over 10 years to 30 September 2021 of 11.67% p.a. compared to the index median of 9.13% p.a. for the same period. Returns are net of investment fees, tax and implicit asset-based administration fees. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.}

^{Personal advice requires the provider to act in the client’s best  interest and take into account the client’s circumstances.  These rules do not apply to general advice.  All content provided by Aware Super and published in this guide contains general advice only and no personal advice. We have not taken into consideration any of your objectives, financial situation or needs or any information we hold about you when providing this general advice.  Further this communication does not contain, and should not be read as containing, any recommendations to you in relation to your product. Before taking any action, you should consider whether the general advice contained in this communication is appropriate to you having regard to your circumstances and needs, and seek appropriate professional advice if you think you need it. Contact us to make an appointment to see one of our representatives. You should also read our product disclosure statement and the relevant target market determination before making a decision about Aware Super. Call us or visit our website for a copy.  Issued by Aware Super Pty Ltd ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340, the trustee of Aware Super ABN 53 226 460 365. Financial planning services are provided by our wholly owned financial planning business Aware Financial Services Australia Limited, ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL No. 238430. You should read their Financial Services Guide before making a decision.}