Cross-border cooperation between Australia and Taiwan is emerging as a critical force in shaping the next phase of sustainable finance governance, as regulators, academics, and industry leaders confront the legal and regulatory challenges created by climate risk, digital finance, and rapidly evolving disclosure standards.

At the centre of this effort is the Australia–Taiwan Collaboration in Addressing Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Sustainable Finance, known as ATLAS Finance, a research initiative led by Monash University’s Faculty of Law and supported by the National Foundation for Australia–China Relations and the Australian Office in Taipei. The initiative aims to bridge regulatory systems and align governance approaches to support accountable, efficient, and inclusive sustainable finance markets.

The project’s 2025 Annual Summit, held on 5 December in Brisbane, marked a key milestone in advancing this agenda.

A Platform for Policy Alignment and Regulatory Dialogue

Hosted at Queensland University of Technology, the summit brought together senior academics, regulators, and market participants from both jurisdictions under the theme Australia–Taiwan Sustainable Finance Cooperation: New Frontiers for Policy and Practice. Discussions focused on how financial regulation must adapt to technological innovation, climate transition pressures, and rising expectations for transparency.

Opening remarks highlighted the growing urgency for regulatory frameworks that can support sustainable capital flows while maintaining market integrity. Participants underscored that sustainable finance is no longer a niche policy area but a core pillar of financial system resilience.

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Technology as an Enabler of Sustainable Finance

The first thematic session examined the role of technology in advancing sustainability objectives across financial markets. Speakers explored how artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, RegTech and SupTech tools, blockchain infrastructure, and tokenisation platforms are reshaping ESG risk management and disclosure practices.

Participants emphasised that AI-driven analytics are increasingly essential for managing climate-related financial risks, improving data accuracy, and supporting credible sustainability reporting. At the same time, the discussion highlighted the importance of governance frameworks that ensure digital trust, model integrity, and interoperability, particularly as institutions align with international reporting standards.

The session reinforced the view that technology is not only improving efficiency but also strengthening accountability and transparency across sustainable finance systems.

Consumer Protection and Market Integrity

The second session focused on sustainable finance products and consumer protection, addressing growing concerns around greenwashing and green hushing. As sustainability-linked and transition finance products become more complex, panellists stressed the need for regulatory approaches that enhance transparency, suitability, and investor trust.

Cross-border cooperation was identified as particularly important in areas such as transition finance, sustainable finance taxonomies, environmental markets, and tokenised green products. Aligning regulatory frameworks between Australia and Taiwan was seen as critical, given the scale of Taiwanese banking activity in Australia and the increasing internationalisation of sustainable finance markets.

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The Shift From Voluntary to Mandatory Reporting

A central theme emerging from the summit was the global shift away from voluntary sustainability reporting toward mandatory disclosure regimes. Participants noted that voluntary frameworks often result in selective reporting, undermining data comparability and investor confidence.

There was strong consensus that binding regulatory standards are necessary to ensure consistent, decision-useful sustainability information. Mandatory reporting was viewed as essential to reducing information asymmetry, strengthening market discipline, and enabling effective supervision of ESG-related risks.

Building Long-Term Cross-Border Cooperation

The summit concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration between Australia and Taiwan in sustainable finance governance. Participants agreed that aligning regulatory frameworks, leveraging digital innovation, and prioritising consumer protection will be key to supporting cross-border investment and credible sustainability outcomes.

Looking ahead, the ATLAS Finance initiative will continue its work on developing interoperable governance frameworks, harmonising sustainability taxonomies and disclosure standards, and exploring joint opportunities in transition finance and green technology deployment.

As global markets move decisively toward mandatory sustainability reporting, the Australia–Taiwan collaboration signals a broader recognition that effective sustainable finance requires coordinated regulation, shared standards, and sustained international cooperation.

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