The 2026 CA ANZ Sustainability Conference highlighted how sustainability information can support business strategy and decision-making.

As mandatory climate reporting takes effect in Australia and New Zealand, organisations are investing time and resources in understanding requirements, collecting data and preparing disclosures. Meeting these requirements is important, but there is a broader opportunity to use the processes and information developed through reporting to improve how organisations manage risk, allocate capital and plan for the future.

A consistent theme across discussions with finance leaders, investors, regulators and sustainability practitioners was the importance of integrating sustainability into existing business processes rather than treating it as a separate reporting exercise.

Building on existing foundations

Organisations do not need entirely new reporting structures. Existing financial reporting disciplines, governance arrangements and internal controls provide a strong foundation. The opportunity is to apply similar rigor to sustainability information, recognising its different data, assumptions and time horizons.

Finance professionals have an important role through their experience in reporting, controls and assurance. However, sustainability reporting cannot sit with finance alone. Risks and opportunities span operations, procurement, strategy, technology and supply chains. Effective reporting requires collaboration across these functions, clear responsibilities and ongoing board engagement.

One discussion highlighted that much of the value of sustainability reporting comes from the work undertaken before the report is drafted. Understanding risks, assessing materiality, testing assumptions and improving data collection can strengthen processes and inform business decisions. This work is valuable, well beyond meeting disclosure requirements.

Connecting disclosure with decision making

Investors want to understand how organisations manage material sustainability risks, whether targets are supported by credible plans and what the implications may be for future cash flows, asset values and strategic options.

Making these connections does not need perfect data. Applying materiality and proportionality, being transparent about assumptions and limitations, and prioritising issues more relevant to the business are important steps. Reporting processes and data quality can improve as organisations gain experience.

Targets and forward-looking statements need to be supported by evidence, credible pathways and an understanding of dependencies. Boards should be engaged throughout the process, rather than only reviewing disclosures at the end of the reporting period.

The role of finance in a changing business environment

The conference explored the broader economic implications of sustainability, including energy security, investment in renewable energy, operational efficiency and the cost of inaction.

These discussions reinforced the connection between sustainability and traditional business considerations such as growth, competitiveness, resilience and long-term performance. Finance professionals can help organisations understand these connections and incorporate them into investment and strategic decisions.

Delegates heard how artificial intelligence can present opportunities to improve data collection, analysis and reporting. Its effective application requires appropriate use cases, governance and controls, and collaboration between finance, sustainability and technology teams. Organisations also need to consider the environmental footprint of AI and digital infrastructure.

Looking ahead

Mandatory sustainability reporting will bring additional cost and complexity, particularly for organisations developing new capabilities. Data availability, assurance readiness, evolving methodologies and uncertainty around future impacts continue to present challenges.

At the same time, the reporting process provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve data quality and develop a better understanding of sustainability risks and opportunities. Organisations that start early, build on existing reporting capabilities, engage boards and assurance providers, and involve the broader business will be better placed to realise these benefits.

The focus should be on making sustainability information useful for business decisions. As requirements evolve, finance professionals have an important role in helping organisations incorporate sustainability considerations into business processes and support better informed outcomes.