Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)

ESG is one of the most important problems facing Australian companies across all industries today. Our human-led, tech powered ESG consulting services will help you bolster and prepare for the ESG revolution.

What is ESG?

ESG goes beyond environmental issues like climate change and resource scarcity - it encompasses all non-financial topics that are not typically captured by traditional financial reporting.

ESG consulting offers specific value when navigating the shift of expectations on businesses from being more focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) to predominantly ESG-focused. CSR has been on the business radar for many years and provides a qualitative measurement of a businesses impact on society and its stakeholders. On the other hand, ESG is a way to quantifiably measure a company's impact on society and the environment, using metrics that deliver long-term stakeholder value.

More than ever, organisations are developing sustainability strategies that focus on creating value amongst a broad group of stakeholders - including employees, customers, suppliers, investors and community groups - whilst managing their broader obligations to society and the environment. Stakeholders are also demanding companies be more and more transparent about their performance.

Environmental


  • Managing carbon and climate change vulnerabilities
  • Water, waste and pollution management
  • Transition to a circular economy
  • Renewable energy and clean technology
  • Consideration of the unique rights of First Nations peoples to access, maintain and protect their lands

Social


  • Human capital development
  • Health and safety
  • Ethical supply chain and sourcing
  • Human rights
  • Privacy and data security
  • Community engagement, including a focus on First Nations peoples

Governance


  • ESG reporting
  • Risk-mitigation and management
  • Board diversity
  • Executive pay
  • Tax transparency
  • Business ethics
  • Policies that enhance corporate behaviour including protection of human rights

Our latest ESG reports & articles

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How CFOs further value creation by leading on sustainability

The role of the CFO is changing rapidly in the face of climate change, nature loss, and social inequality. Long-term value can be preserved by assigning more responsibility to the CFO.

ESG and Sustainability in 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a year where organisations continue the evolution of their ESG and sustainability priorities. For some, it's business as usual; for others, it'll be a year of change and disruption.

ESG reporting & governance trends in 2023

Key ESG reporting & governance areas to watch in the coming year.

Climate leadership wanted: How CEOs can better meet investor expectations

CEOs are less concerned about climate change than investors would like. Learn how executives can bridge the expectation gap on climate action.

ESG reporting in Australia - change afoot, but are companies ready?

PwC’s comprehensive analysis of the ASX200’s ESG reporting and governance.

CFOs and ESG: A growing role

A high level overview of why ESG should be a top priority for CFOs.

Linking executive pay to ESG goals

Public pressure and changing norms are paving the way for business leaders to be paid based on a new set of criteria.

Empowered Chief Sustainability Officers

The key to remaining credible and competitive.

Are you ready for the ESG revolution?

This report explores how societal needs and business opportunities are coming together to transform the way companies craft sustainable strategy, drive performance, and report results.

Our ESG services

ESG in strategy, deals, divestment and growth

Business transformation and circular economy

Clean technologies

Establish marketplace trust and credibility

Looking beyond the bottom line

Delivering impactful corporate responsibility programs

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Our ESG priorities

Net zero emissions

Australia is on track to deliver on science-based net zero commitments with 2030 goals and we are set to contribute to Australia’s transition to a zero carbon economy by 2030.

What is a circular economy?

We now view waste as a commodity or asset instead of resource depletion to support a circular economy.

Thriving ecosystems and biodiversity

We are aligned with Australia’s strategy to primarily manage its native habitat for biodiversity conservation across terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments.

Ethical & sustainable supply chains

We can help you achieve supply chain transparency to facilitate Australian consumers choosing ethical and sustainable products. 

Respect & inclusion

We actively support the establishment of a First Nations voice that will be enshrined in the Australian constitution.

Equitable Opportunities

We run and support a number of social impact programs that promote and create equitable opportunity to housing, employment, education, wellbeing and healthcare for Australian communities.

ESG is the new ‘digital’ in transformation

We have directed a majority of our research, skills acquisition and people development to focus on ESG so that we can help our clients embed ESG into strategy, risk, capital, operations, products and services, remuneration and disclosure to help them transition to the economy of the future. 

Meaningful and transparent ESG communications

We work with our clients to ensure all listed entities apply global standards of ESG reporting and deliver  on stakeholder expectations.

Diverse & trusted Governance 

We promote and help our clients develop diverse boards and executive leadership teams with embedded ESG in decision-making and reward.

Why PwC? 

Our overarching purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We genuinely care about our people, the broader Australian society as well as our clients and the industries they operate in. We want to be a part of creating a sustainable and transparent future for generations to come.

At PwC, we are dedicated to ensuring our clients grow to become organisations of the future by:

  • supporting end-to-end ESG transformation to position your business for a sustainable tomorrow
  • helping you establish and build marketplace trust and credibility through rigorous, transparent reporting and assurance programs
  • helping you future-proof your business by helping you to put ESG at the core of your purpose
  • providing you with an industry specific lens to ESG
  • supporting you throughout the process of identifying, and engaging with, stakeholders on issues that are material to them.

ESG is here to stay and we can help you make sense of it.

PwC Global Insights Series

Join Global Sustainability leader Will Jackson-Moore, along with PwC Australia's Energy Transition Business Leader Varya Davidson, as they reveal the three steps to reframe sustainability as an opportunity for value creation. Discover how businesses can address compliance costs, explore strategies to mitigate them, and accelerate growth by leveraging sustainability.

Explore the full video series here

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Contact us

Chris McLean

Chris McLean

Partner, Energy Transition, PwC Australia

Tel: +61 414 614 381

Jon Chadwick

Jon Chadwick

Partner, Advisory, Global Energy Transition Lead, PwC Australia

Tel: +61 424 299 056

Varya Davidson

Varya Davidson

Partner, Advisory, Energy Transition, Strategy& Australia

Tel: + 61 478 303 103

Caroline Mara

Caroline Mara

Partner, Sustainability Reporting and Assurance Leader, PwC Australia

Tel: 0402 304 594