The Federal Government has recently announced an ambitious climate target for 2035, committing Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 62% and 70% below 2005 levels. Achieving this goal will require coordinated action across all sectors of the economy — from major corporations through to small and medium-sized enterprises.
As environmental accountability becomes increasingly central to business governance, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations must be embedded within every organisation’s strategy. Understanding your environmental footprint is the first step towards meaningful change.
Below are four structured approaches to help your business evaluate and manage its environmental impact.
Conduct a Comprehensive Environmental Audit:
An environmental audit provides a systematic evaluation of your organisation’s environmental performance. It identifies areas of compliance and highlights opportunities for improvement.
The process involves reviewing your business operations — including waste management, resource usage and energy efficiency — against both legislative obligations and recognised industry benchmarks.
By establishing a clear baseline, your organisation can prioritise areas for action and monitor future improvements.
Develop an Environmental Management System (EMS):
An Environmental Management System (EMS) provides a structured framework for continuous improvement in environmental performance.
An effective EMS will:
- Define your environmental policy and objectives
- Establish operational procedures to achieve these goals
- Monitor and review progress through regular performance assessments
Implementing an EMS ensures accountability, drives efficiency and embeds sustainability into day-to-day business practices. It also supports compliance with regulatory standards and enhances your organisation’s reputation with stakeholders.
Measure and Report Your Environmental Outcomes:
Transparent and consistent reporting is fundamental to maintaining credibility and demonstrating your business’s commitment to sustainability.
Use measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as total energy consumption, waste reduction volumes and emissions intensity to track progress over time.
These KPIs can then inform an annual sustainability report, a dedicated ESG webpage, or inclusion in your broader corporate reporting.
Publicly sharing your environmental results builds trust with clients, suppliers, investors and the broader community — and positions your business as a responsible and forward-thinking organisation.
Monitor Government Standards and Disclosure Requirements:
Environmental reporting obligations are evolving rapidly. From January 2025, mandatory climate-related financial disclosures apply to large corporations and financial institutions. While small businesses are not yet included, future regulatory expansion is likely as climate policy frameworks tighten.
Maintaining awareness of federal and state requirements ensures your business remains compliant and well-prepared for upcoming changes.
Further guidance and practical tools are available through the business.gov.au environmental management portal.
If your organisation is seeking to refine its environmental governance, our team can help you develop a robust ESG framework.
We assist businesses to identify key risks and opportunities, enhance regulatory compliance, and set measurable, achievable targets to reduce their environmental impact.
Now is the time to take proactive steps — not only to meet national emissions targets, but to strengthen your organisation’s long-term sustainability and resilience.
