Sustainability and Climate-Related Financial Disclosure Course

In July 2023, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation, through its International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), introduced new sustainability and climate-related financial disclosure standards. These standards aim to establish a consistent global baseline for corporate reporting on environmental and social externalities throughout the value chain.

The global reporting landscape has fundamentally changed, placing significant responsibilities on larger organizations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. While reporting obligations vary by country, the ISSB standards underpin many regional reporting frameworks and are being adopted over varying timeframes. Ultimately, these rules will affect all trading organizations globally.

Australia’s proposed adoption of ISSB Standards

Australia has legislated the mandatory Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (“ASRS”) which are based on IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information, to be called ASRS 1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Climate-related Financial Information and ISSB S2 Climate-related Disclosures to be called ASRS 2 Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Australian businesses are required to start reporting from January 2025. There are 3 tiers of criteria to meet the reporting threshold.

There are three tiers of criteria to meet the new reporting threshold.

Not sure if or when your company needs to start reporting? Get in touch today — we’ll guide you through the complexity and help you take the right next step

What You Will Learn

In addition to providing a comprehensive academic understanding of the new rules, the course offers practical guidance on how to implement and meet financial disclosure requirements effectively i.e. what eligible corporations have to do.

• Development of ESG Reporting: Overview of the evolution of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

• Drivers of the Evolution of the Rules: Examination of factors influencing disclosure requirements.

• Understanding the Structure of the Rules: Insights into the framework of the new standards.

• Exploration of IFRS S1 & S2: Analysis of the standards and their implications for financial reporting.

• Related ISSB Documents & SASB Guidance: Integration with SASB guidelines.

• TFND and Other Sustainability Disclosure Standards: Overview of the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TFND).

• GHG Protocol Accounting Standards: Basics of carbon accounting and the need for carbon accounting systems.

• Value Chain Implications: Engaging with supply chains and customers under the new rules.

• Risk Assessment and Scenario Analysis: Techniques for evaluating risks and scenarios.

• IFRS Taxonomy and Financial Disclosure Alignment: Aligning ISSB taxonomy with financial reporting requirements.

• ASRS application: Aligning the proposed ASRS requirements with the baseline IFRS Standards requirements.

• Implications of Greenwashing in Financial Reporting: Addressing the risks of misleading environmental claims.

Additional Skills Covered:

• Application of taxonomy in data recording processes

• Conducting a disclosure health checklist

• Performing climate-related risk assessments

Certification

Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion upon finishing the course, signifying a comprehensive understanding of the new standards and equipping them to lead sustainability initiatives.

Course Materials

• Learner Guide

• Workbook

• Video Tutorials with Examples

• Reference Notes

  
  

This course is a vital resource for individuals seeking to deepen their expertise in sustainability and climate-related financial disclosures, enabling organisations to achieve both environmental and financial sustainability objectives.