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The purpose of this Alert is to draw attention to the recent decisions of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on 29 January 2025 to propose amendments to IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures.

The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) board meeting on 16 December 2024 confirmed the final phasing for mandatory assurance of information in sustainability reports. A final draft standard incorporating these changes will be presented to the AUASB for approval in late January 2025.

On 7 November 2024, ASIC released draft regulatory guidance for sustainability reporting.

The purpose of this Alert is to draw attention to the Consultation Paper CP 380 Sustainability reporting (consultation paper) and accompanying draft regulatory guide RG 000 Sustainability reporting (draft regulatory guidance) published by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) on 7 November 2024.

On 22 August 2024, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (the Bill) passed the Senate with amendments. From there, it will return to the House of Representatives to approve the amendments, which is expected to go ahead.

Following recent decisions made at the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) meetings, we now have a very clear sense of what the final Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) will look like.

Businesses are increasingly recognising the importance of sustainable practices to safeguard our planet for future generations. However, as the demand for sustainable products and services grow, so does the prevalence of greenwashing – a deceptive practice where businesses falsely claim to be environmentally friendly.

There exists a wide array of advantages that businesses can realise in integrating important Environmental, Social and Governance principles. These include reducing costs, improving operational efficiency, enhancing reputation, increased accountability, and attracting talent.

In the dynamic world of business, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) play a pivotal role in steering organisations towards financial success. Their responsibilities extend far beyond traditional financial management, encompassing strategic decision-making, risk assessment, and now more than ever – technological adaptation. As we delve into 2024, the challenges and opportunities facing CFOs have evolved, encouraging them to embrace a new era of financial leadership.

Following the exposure draft legislation earlier this year, the Government has introduced a bill into Parliament to implement mandatory climate-related financial disclosure requirements.

Family Businesses prioritise sustainability policies and actions that benefit their business and community, even before regulation around Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives were mandated. This genuine drive allows family and mid-sized businesses to act authentically while integrating corporate terminology to create a competitive advantage.

On 12 January 2024, Treasury released draft legislation on mandatory climate-related financial disclosures in Australia. Subject to the legislation being enacted by Parliament and receiving Royal Assent by the end of June 2024, the legislation will be in force for financial years commencing on or after 1 July 2024.