With climate-related financial disclosures now mandatory for many entities in Australia and New Zealand, the peak body for Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand has launched a free Sustainability Playbook at its inaugural Sustainability Conference being held in Sydney and online today.
The Conference and Playbook mark a major step in CA ANZ's strategic focus to embed sustainability as a core competency for the accounting profession. This follows the introduction of a Sustainability Resource Centre, sustainability CPD micro courses, comprehensive guides on climate-related disclosures, and a dedicated sustainability elective in the prestigious CA Program.
CA ANZ also recently announced a partnership with Australian Stock Exchange and the UN Global Compact Network Australia to support a new initiative designed to fast-track Australian business leadership on climate and sustainability reporting.
"As the global economy transitions to net zero, sustainability is no longer a niche topic; it's a mainstream professional competency," said CEO of Chartered Accountants ANZ, Ainslie van Onselen.
"We are moving through a 'once-in-a-generation' change to corporate reporting and Chartered Accountants are uniquely positioned to lead the way through reporting, assurance, strategy and governance.
"But regardless of mandatory or technical requirements, Chartered Accountants also have a strategic role to play in empowering organisations to navigate opportunities and risks associated with existing and emerging social and environmental issues.
"With more than 90 per cent of CFO's globally saying ESG issues will be a major focus for their organisations over the next five years, our aim is to support our members to deepen their understanding of climate, nature and social issues, and equip them to navigate these complexities with clarity and precision – the hallmark of Chartered Accountants."
This Playbook is designed to help Chartered Accountants take their first steps as sustainability experts. It explains how the profession intersects with sustainability,
