Australia's climate-related financial disclosures are now mandatory, and the first wave of reports is already drawing scrutiny. In this episode of ESG Matters, Ashurst Perkins Coie's Elena Lambros and Dan Brown explore what the shift from voluntary to regulated reporting really changes. They examine why some companies are walking back previously bold climate commitments now that a common, ASIC-enforced standard makes every claim comparable.

The conversation covers ASIC's enforcement toolkit (from educational guidance to formal directives), the temporary modified liability shield for forward-looking statements, and why Australia's status as a greenwashing litigation hotspot means enhanced disclosure is no safe harbour from activist challenge.

Elena closes with practical boardroom advice: embed climate risk in governance and risk-management frameworks, ensure consistency across all corporate communications, and make commitments you can credibly deliver – because capital is increasingly flowing to companies whose disclosures prove they can execute.  

Check out past and future episodes of Nearing Net Zero on the Ashurst Perkins Coie website. And subscribe to ESG Matters by Ashurst Perkins Coie wherever you get your podcasts.

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