A director’s guide to mandatory climate reporting

Earlier this year, the Australian Government confirmed its intention to introduce climate reporting obligations for large Australian corporations and financial institutions. It is currently proposed that the requirements be phased in from July 2024. As long-term stewards of their organisations, directors have a critical role to play in overseeing what ASIC Chair, Joe Longo, has called “the biggest change to corporate reporting in a generation.” As host of the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI) Australia, the AICD is pleased to have collaborated with our partners Deloitte and MinterEllison to produce a guide aimed at preparing Australian directors for mandatory climate disclosure. The Guide: Outlines the proposed Australian mandatory reporting framework Sets out the key legal obligations for directors Provides practical steps directors can take to ready their organisations for the commencement of the mandatory climate reporting regime The resource has been informed by consultation with policy-makers, regulators, industry experts and the director community, and features a foreword from ASIC Chair, Joe Longo, commending the Guide to all directors as a valuable reference point. We have also produced a concise snapshot of the Guide and supporting fact sheets on key topics such as scope 3 emissions and the potential application of US and EU reporting requirements. NOTE: Since publication, the (Australian) Federal Government has introduced its mandatory climate reporting bill into Parliament, with the regime proposed to commence from 1 January 2025. The Climate Governance Initiative is in the process of updating this guide to reflect this and related policy developments.