Kilter Rural is proud to announce that the Murray-Darling Basin Balanced Water Fund is the category winner for Environment and Agriculture in the 2023 Australian Financial Review Sustainability Awards. This is a wonderful recognition that highlights the fund’s exceptional achievements in delivering strong financial returns while simultaneously generating positive cultural and environmental outcomes.
The Kilter-managed Murray-Darling Basin Balanced Water Fund is a partnership between Kilter Rural, The Nature Conservancy Australia and the Murray-Darling Wetlands Working Group, who each play a crucial role in the delivery of the fund. Kilter Rural actively manage the water portfolio to achieve financial returns for investors and ensure donations are delivered to The Nature Conservancy and the Murray-Darling Wetlands Working Group for the planning, delivery and scientific oversight of the environmental watering.
By successfully combining the Fund’s multiple objectives of securing water for agricultural purposes, realising a financial return, and restoring culturally and environmentally threatened wetlands, the Fund has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and responsible investing.
According to the Australian Financial Review, the Murray-Darling Basin Balanced Water Fund has struck an admirable balance between profit and sustainability. The fund has achieved an impressive total annualised return of 12.4 % for investors while donating more than 10,000 megaliters of water for environmental and cultural outcomes. Notably, the fund allocates between 10 to 40 percent of its water holdings each year to support vital wetlands and ecosystems, based on the seasonal outlook.
“We are thrilled and honoured to receive the AFR Sustainability Leaders award,” said Cullen Gunn, CEO at Kilter Rural. “This recognition is a testament to our team’s and to our fund partner’s dedication to finding innovative solutions that align financial success with environmental stewardship. It reflects our commitment to making a meaningful and sustainable impact in the Murray-Darling Basin and beyond.”
Kilter Rural’s achievement in balancing financial returns with environmental objectives sets a new standard for responsible investing. By actively contributing to the restoration and preservation of crucial wetlands and ecosystems, the Murray-Darling Basin Balanced Water Fund exemplifies Kilter Rural’s commitment to long-term sustainability.
Congratulations to all winners and the wonderful work done by all the participants in this year’s awards.
Read the full article in the AFR here – Kilter Rural water fund tops list for benefits to environment and investors (afr.com)