UniSuper, a significant Australian superannuation fund managing $158 billion for about 670,000 members, has been accused of greenwashing due to a recent change in their Global Environmental Opportunities investment option. Originally, this investment portfolio required companies to derive at least 40% of their revenue from environmental themes such as alternative energy and energy efficiency, and it applied exclusions for investments linked to fossil fuels and weapons. However, in March 2025, UniSuper quietly revised this threshold to only 20% and now includes several technology companies like Microsoft and Nvidia among its top holdings.

The move has raised concerns from environmental advocates who argue that such changes mislead investors regarding the sustainability of their investments. These critics claim that by reducing the environmental criteria, UniSuper is not fulfilling its commitment to sustainable investing. The Environmental Defenders Office has taken a formal step by lodging a complaint against UniSuper, signaling a growing scrutiny of responsible investing claims made by large financial institutions.

This incident underscores the broader issue of 'greenwashing' in the financial sector, where companies may promote themselves as environmentally friendly while making changes that contradict their stated commitment to sustainability. As the demand for ethical investment options rises, the actions of firms like UniSuper will likely face increased public and regulatory scrutiny, demanding greater transparency in how they define and pursue sustainable investment strategies.