This Industry Insight is produced in commercial partnership with Westpac. 2021 has been a momentous year for global sustainability, which reached a crescendo at COP26 in Glasgow, sending a resounding signal that ESG is now a key priority for many businesses. Boards are actively seeking to embed ESG into organisational strategies, increasingly mindful of the growing commercial, reputational and legal imperative. Westpac is aiming to integrate ESG into all its banking activities. James Alcock Sustainable finance has become an important driver for financial institutions, businesses and governments worldwide as pledges abound and efforts to transition to net-zero targets gain momentum. Globally, sustainable finance hit an all-time high with US$1.2 trillion debt issuance in the first nine months of 2021. Domestically, Australian companies are announcing new sustainability commitments in record numbers.