Preparing for climate reporting: Insights from small ASX firms
Australia has introduced mandatory climate-related disclosures for a large number of companies, whether listed or unlisted. Our research investigates how prepared are small ASX firms to report according to the disclosure standards and provide guidance to help companies meet AASB S2 requirements.
The climate-related financial disclosures proposal follows on from the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) that was entered into force and introduced specific climate disclosure requirements throughout Europe. In the same year, the International Sustainability Standards Board issued IFRS S1 and S2 that are progressively endorsed by different countries around the world, including Australia.
In Australia, the proposed reporting period for climate-related financial disclosures would start as early as 1st January 2025 for companies meeting two of these three criteria:
1. consolidated revenue ≥ $500 million;
2. consolidated gross assets ≥ $1 billion; or
3. number of employees ≥ 500.
This led our Forvis Mazars experts to investigate how prepared these companies are to report according to the proposed Australian climate-related financial disclosure standards.
Our research is based on the 2023 reporting (up to 10 January 2024) of 52 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed companies with a market capitalisation between $1 billion and $1.5 billion.
Key findings
The introduction of mandatory climate-related information disclosures in Australia will require many companies to step up their efforts. Importantly, companies need to:
1. Build up climate capabilities and educate board members.
2. Identify gaps and develop a roadmap.
3. Involve key employees across multiple functions and clearly define responsibilities
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Climate change, a growing risk for Australian companies
3. Focus on the proposed mandatory climate-related financial disclosure standard
- Global regulatory landscape
- Australian regulatory landscape
- The Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS)
- So, what’s next?
4. Findings
- How many companies mention “climate-related risks” in their reporting?
- How many companies report according to the TCFD recommendations?
- How companies report on their carbon emission?
- How companies report on their emission reduction targets and decarbonisation pathways?
- How do companies use scenario analysis and report their climate-related risks and opportunities?
- How do companies report their sustainability information?
5. Key considerations for climate reporting
Drawing on insights from the interpretive report “Achieving Effective Internal Control Over Sustainability Reporting” (ICSR) issued by the COSO and the findings of our research, we present a set of 28 key considerations to help companies prepare their climate reporting.
Download our full report below to learn how small ASX listed companies have made progress in their climate reporting in Australia.
Authors: Dr. Damien Lambert & Corentin Cachard
Published: 2/9/2024
Our experts
Damien Lambert Head of Sustainability Services Melbourne
Jim Mascitelli Partner Sydney
ESG reporting - Climate reporting readiness tool
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Let's talk sustainability
Let's talk sustainability includes articles and publications detailing current sustainability and ESG insights. Helping companies place sustainability at the centre of their business and address their sustainability strategies.
Overview of mandatory climate reporting in AU
Building upon the success of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), climate disclosures are becoming more widespread around the world and Australia is following the trend.
Climate-related disclosures in Australia
The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) is working on reviewing certain sustainability reporting rules (IFRS S1 and S2) and has shared some important information about how companies in Australia will disclose climate-related information.