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ESG assurance and sustainability reporting

ESG assurance and sustainability reporting

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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures how an organisation creates value and manages risk across environmental, social and governance factors. With Australia's mandatory climate-related disclosure regime now underway, businesses are under increasing pressure to deliver transparent, credible and audit-ready sustainability information.  

Sustainability reporting is no longer simply a compliance exercise, it's an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve decision-making and build trust with stakeholders. 

While the requirements can appear complex, organisations that understand their obligations early are better positioned to establish effective reporting processes, strengthen internal capability and respond to evolving stakeholder expectations. 

As Jim Allenby, Managing Director of PKF Sustainability, notes, "The businesses seeing the best outcomes are the ones starting early."

Why do organisations need to prepare a sustainability report? 

Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) now require certain organisations to disclose information about climate-related risks and opportunities, placing greater emphasis on transparent, reliable and decision-useful sustainability information. 

Climate disclosures are expected to address key areas including governance, strategy, risk management, and climate-related metrics and targets, while demonstrating a clear connection between sustainability performance and broader business outcomes.  

As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, sustainability reporting is becoming an essential part of doing business. Organisations are increasingly expected to have robust governance frameworks, reliable data, and reporting processes capable of standing up to external assurance and stakeholder scrutiny.  

ESG can help organisations:

  • Identify and manage climate-related risks and opportunities.
  • Strengthen governance, accountability and risk management processes.
  • Build trust with investors, customers, employees and regulators.
  • Improve the quality, transparency and reliability of sustainability data.
  • Support audit-ready reporting and assurance requirements.
  • Enhance operational performance and long-term business resilience.
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ESG advisory services 

While the principles of ESG and sustainability reporting are widely understood, translating them into practical, organisation-specific actions can be complex. With Australia's mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements now underway, many organisations are discovering they fall within the reporting thresholds and need to better understand the governance, processes and data required to support ongoing reporting obligations.  

At PKF Sustainability, we work with organisations to understand what the requirements mean in practice, identify gaps in current reporting frameworks, and build the capability needed to support reliable, decision-useful sustainability disclosures. Our approach is tailored to the size, complexity and objectives of each organisation, helping businesses establish the foundations required for effective sustainability reporting and ongoing compliance.  

Our services include:

  • ASRS reporting readiness assessments.
  • Gap analysis and climate baseline assessments.
  • ESG maturity assessments.
  • ESG strategy and roadmap development.
  • Sustainability training and education
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ESG audit and assurance services

As sustainability reporting becomes more established, organisations are increasingly seeking confidence that the information they report is accurate, supportable and prepared using robust processes and controls. Independent assurance can help organisations evaluate reporting processes, improve data quality and strengthen confidence in sustainability disclosures.  

PKF provides independent sustainability assurance services aligned with evolving reporting and assurance standards, including AASB S2 and ASSA 5000. Combining expertise in audit, assurance, sustainability reporting and emissions accounting, we help organisations enhance the quality, credibility and auditability of sustainability information.  

Our services include:

  • Sustainability assurance engagements.
  • Pre-assurance and assurance readiness assessments.
  • Internal audit reviews.
  • Data, systems and process assurance.
  • Carbon and emissions assurance and reporting support.
  • Independent governance and control reviews.
  • Governance, risk and control framework reviews.
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Why you may need an ESG audit and assurance partner

As sustainability reporting becomes a more important component of corporate reporting, organisations are facing heightened scrutiny from regulators, investors, financiers and other key stakeholders. Independent assurance provides confidence that climate-related disclosures and ESG information are supported by appropriate evidence, methodologies and governance processes.  

PKF combines deep financial audit expertise with specialist capability across climate-related disclosures, sustainability reporting frameworks, greenhouse gas emissions and regulatory requirements. Our multidisciplinary team helps organisations navigate assurance requirements while enhancing the credibility, transparency and trustworthiness of sustainability reporting.

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Understanding your requirements 

Australia's mandatory sustainability reporting framework is being introduced in phases, with reporting obligations determined by an organisation's size, revenue and assets. Understanding which reporting group applies to your organisation is an important first step in assessing readiness, planning resources and preparing for future reporting obligations. 

Organisations outside the reporting thresholds 

Staying competitive and prepared

Not every organisation will be required to report under the current framework. However, sustainability considerations are increasingly influencing customer expectations, investor decisions, lending requirements and supply chain relationships.  

Even where reporting is not mandatory, organisations may choose to strengthen sustainability governance, improve reporting capabilities and better understand ESG risks and opportunities. Taking proactive steps today can help organisations respond to changing stakeholder expectations, support future growth opportunities and remain competitive in an evolving business environment. 

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Tier reporters

Tier 1 reporters

Currently reporting
Tier 1 entities are the first organisations required to prepare mandatory sustainability reports. Businesses fall within this category if they meet at least two of the following thresholds:

  • 500 or more employees.
  • $1 billion or more in consolidated assets.
  • $500 million or more in annual revenue.

These organisations are already reporting, with early disclosures helping establish market benchmarks and providing valuable insights into emerging reporting practices.

Tier 2 reporters

Preparing for upcoming obligations
Tier 2 entities are the next cohort required to report and should now be evaluating their readiness. Businesses fall within this category if they meet at least two of the following thresholds:

  • 250 or more employees.
  • $500 million or more in consolidated assets.
  • $200 million or more in annual revenue.

For many organisations, this stage is focused on reviewing governance arrangements, evaluating data collection processes and identifying capability gaps that may impact future reporting requirements.

Tier 3 reporters

Planning ahead
Tier 3 entities fall within the reporting regime if they meet at least two of the following thresholds:

  • 100 or more employees.
  • $25 million or more in consolidated assets.
  • $50 million or more in annual revenue.

While Tier 3 organisations have additional time to prepare, early planning can help spread the workload, reduce future compliance pressures and support a smoother transition to reporting requirements.

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Speak to our team of advisers

Whether you're assessing your reporting obligations, preparing for mandatory disclosures or seeking assurance over sustainability information, our team can help you navigate the next steps with confidence.  

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