The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are 17 goals that provide an urgent call to action for all organisations to build sustainability and competitiveness through their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
ESG assurance
ESG assurance
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Where is your business on its sustainability journey?
Collectively, we can make a profound positive impact on our communities and environment.
Getting started or progressing your sustainability journey need not be difficult. The specialists at PKF can guide you through a simple assessment and work with you to make a valuable difference for your organisation and its stakeholders.
What is ESG?
ESG is relates to the impact an organisation has on its internal and external stakeholders across the Environmental, Social and Governance elements of their organisational practices.
Environmental criteria reflect the impact the organisation has on the surrounding environment, such as the effects on biodiversity or carbon emissions. It also addresses the effects of climate change and environmental changes on the organisation itself.
Social criteria are established from the interactions and relationships the organisations have with internal and external stakeholders, such as employees, customers and communities.
Governance criteria focus on the organisation’s leadership and corporate policies. These policies direct the organisation in areas such as board diversity and structure.
Why is ESG important?
A focus on ESG will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate the value you place on being a good corporate citizen, and will reveal the non-financial risks that may negatively impact your organisation's performance. Any gaps found in your ESG business practices can be closed, allowing you to unlock more subsequent value.
While ESG aspects are typically referred to as non-financial elements, they can have a direct impact on your business's financial performance. Stakeholders, from customers to investors, are increasingly influencing their decisions on the ESG aspects of an organisation. This has a direct financial impact on the elements such as cash flow and cost of capital.
Other benefits can include reduced business costs and risks, increased brand value and stakeholder trust, a strengthened reputation, business strategies future-proofed, increased ability to attract and retain talent, and the opening up of new markets.
Take the first step..it’s quite simple
While it might be simple to understand the different ESG elements and the subsequent benefits for an organisation, the process of identifying and benchmarking organisation practice against ESG best practices has previously been a costly, time-consuming process.
At PKF, we understand that time is a valuable commodity, which is why we have developed a simple but effective assessment tool to make the process straightforward.
Aligned with leading sustainability frameworks, including the UN Global Compact Ten Principles, the UN Sustainability Development Goals, and IFC Performance Standards, your business can easily access insights and pragmatic solutions following a quick self-assessment.
Why choose PKF?
Our tried and tested methodology is robust and accessible, having been successfully applied by PKF clients, and refined by our experts across the globe.
Our people are passionate about ESG and eager to work with organisations who share similar values to make a real difference.
We are available to assist, with ESG experts located across Australia ready to provide you with all the support you need to show leadership as a good corporate citizen.
Clarity Mag
On 27 March 2024, a Bill was passed in the Australian Government to mark a new era in mandated sustainability reporting for all Australian businesses. Schedule 4 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (Cth) was introduced into the House of Representatives to establish...
2 contributors
Melbourne
Insights
In our continued exploration of better practice in Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) reporting, our focus turns to the agricultural sector. We hope this case study provides guidance and insight to support you on your own ESG journey. There are significant benefits to be gained by reporting on ESG factors, however,...
Dawn Alexander
Partner
New Zealand
Insights
The mining industry, historically linked with significant environmental and social impacts, faces increasing pressure from stakeholders to demonstrate responsible business practices. This pressure is not just regulatory or market-driven, it comes from the very communities where these companies operate. This is where a robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy...
Darren Shillington
Managing Partner
Perth
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Corporate culture is the strongest driver of change in any organisation.
We are available to help you embed a culture of excellence in your business, enriched with a focus on ESG principles and practices.
