Australia's future prosperity will depend on access to secure, reliable and affordable energy, The Hon. Matt Kean FCA, Chair of the Climate Change Authority, told attendees at the Chartered Accountants ANZ Sustainability Conference 2026.

The conference, held earlier this month, brought together senior leaders from business, government, finance and academia to discuss the economic, reporting and investment implications of sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

During a keynote conversation with Ainslie van Onselen, Chief Executive Officer of CA ANZ, Mr Kean told more than 350 attendees that Australia's future economic success would depend on its ability to deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy.

"Energy security is economic security for our nation,” he said. "Our sunlight can't be stranded in the Strait of Hormuz."

"The more energy we can produce here domestically, the better off we'll be in terms of the prices that we pay and also our energy security."

Mr Kean said robust sustainability reporting and risk measurement were becoming increasingly important tools for businesses seeking to allocate capital efficiently, build resilience and create long-term value.

"Climate risk is a financial risk,” he said. "In order to understand risk, you need to measure it."

"Once businesses understand the risks, they can put in place the policies to manage that and create long-term shareholder value. This is about the efficient allocation of capital."

Ms van Onselen said the discussion highlighted the connection between energy security, economic resilience and long-term business performance.

"Chartered Accountants have a critical role to play in helping organisations understand risk, allocate capital and make decisions that support long-term value creation. The organisations that thrive will be those that can turn emerging risks and opportunities into sustainable long-term value."

Ms van Onselen said the conference reflected CA ANZ's broader commitment to helping members navigate sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

"I was pleased to preview the upcoming CA ANZ Centre for Sustainability Reporting, which will strengthen the resources, insights and support available to Chartered Accountants as they help organisations respond to a rapidly changing business environment."

Alongside Ms van Onselen and Mr Kean's presentations, delegates heard from leaders including Amy Wharakura-Taewa CA (Waikato-Tainui), Alison Weaver (NSW Treasury), Nick Wandke (Westpac) and Alec Tang (The Aotearoa Circle) on the major sustainability, reporting and investment issues shaping organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

An announcement regarding the launch of the new CA ANZ Centre for Sustainability Reporting will be made soon.