Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) will hold its inaugural Sustainability Conference in Sydney next week, bringing together members of the profession to discuss the pivotal role accountants will play in the transition to a net zero economy.
The Conference, which has now sold out in person, will explore the theme 'From Insight to Impact: Leading the Change,' with a range of international and local experts coming together to analyse the future of sustainability and climate-related reporting across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
Attendees will hear directly from CFOs and industry leaders on how organisations are addressing data and disclosure challenges and integrating sustainability into financial decision-making.
CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen, who will open the Conference, said sustainability has become central to how organisations operate, with Chartered Accountants remaining trusted advisors during this important evolution.
"The CA ANZ Sustainability Conference will shine a light on the growing role accountants are playing to ensure sustainable outcomes for organisations," said Ms van Onselen.
"The global transition to a net zero economy offers our profession both a challenge and an opportunity – Chartered Accountants can assist businesses as they work together to enable sustainable outcomes.
"Make no mistake, Chartered Accountants are uniquely positioned to lead the way in this 'once-in-a-generation' change to corporate reporting, through reporting, assurance, strategy and governance."
"As trusted advisors, you're not just interpreting numbers – there's an opportunity here to help shape how the world responds to its most pressing challenges. Which is why sustainability is now embedded in the CA ANZ's 'always-on' education model, alongside taxation, assurance and core accounting areas."
"We are empowering our members to build their knowledge on climate, nature and social issues to navigate the new complexities with insight and accuracy."
The keynote speaker will be Capitals Coalition CEO, Mark Gough, who is also Co-Chair of the Impact Management Platform, sits on the Steering Committee for the Global Commons Alliance and the Nature Positive Initiative, and is a founder of Business for Nature.
Having just returned from Brazil where he attended COP 30, Mr Gough will share his insights from the global event, exploring topics ranging from clean energy, sustainable finance, policy reform and the role of leadership in driving innovation.
Attendees will also hear from Climate Change Authority Chair, Matt Kean, International Sustainability Standards Board Vice Chair, Sue Lloyd FCA, and Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at the Principles for Responsible Investment, Nathan Fabian.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Sustainability, Financial Reporting and Audit Senior Executive Leader, Claire LaBouchardiere, will participate in a panel on the evolving landscape of climate and sustainability regulation, as will Deloitte Partner, Climate & Sustainability, Paul Dobson FCA.
The Conference supports CA ANZ's 2026-2030 strategy, which places sustainability at the heart of the profession's future. This was recently reinforced by CA ANZ forming an important new partnership with the ASX and the UN Global Compact Network Australia, working closely to drive alignment both nationally and globally for Australian business leadership on climate and sustainability reporting.
"CA ANZ is investing greatly in sustainability programs, offering a range of resources to members. These include our Sustainability Resource Centre, the popular sustainability CPD micro courses, comprehensive guides on climate-related disclosures, and an elective subject as part of our prestigious CA Program," said Ms van Onselen.
"We've also created the CA Sustainability Community, which provides the opportunity to upskill in sustainability as it relates to business, and, in collaboration with the ASX and UN Global Compact Network Australia, the Sustainability Reporting Community of Practice (SRCoP) – a new platform offering live webinars, curated resources, and peer-to-peer forums to ensure members are equipped for what lies ahead."
