This timeline showcases the development of the environmental reporting landscape over time in Australia and within the broader international context. Entries are categorised as follows: government agencies, legislation, standards and frameworks, or international organisations.
Established under the Australian Securities and Investments Comission Act 2001. Responsible for developing and evaluating accounting standards, and advancing Australia’s economic outcomes. Contributes toward the goal of establishing a single global accounting standard.
The Global Reporting Index (GRI) works with investors, businesses, and experts to continually refine global best practices for sustainability reporting. They have produced the most widely adopted reporting standards, used by 14,000+ organisations globally.
Independent regulator for Australia’s financial system established under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act). Ensures compliance with disclosure requirements as legislated under the Corporations Act 2001.
The Climate Disclosure Project (CDP)administers a unique global environmental disclosure system for adoption by governments, companies and markets. It integrates best-practice reporting established by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) into one report.
Independent organisation that develops global standards for financial reporting that facilitate market transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
Federal legal framework developed for regulation of company formation, governance, and responsibilities. Requires certain companies to prepare financial reports, as well as disclose environmental performance and compliance.
Legislation that establishes the powers and responsibilities of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as a regulator. Helps facilitate transparency for investors and consumers.
Australia's national framework for reporting corporate greenhouse gas and energy data. Large companies that meet certain emissions or energy thresholds must report their information under the scheme. This scheme is administered by the Clean Energy Regulator.
The Climate Disclosure Standards Board was committed to establishing a reporting model that aligned natural, social and financial capital. Their framework formed the basis of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TFCD) recommendations. CDSB was consolidated alongside the Value Reporting Foundation (VRF) into the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) in 2022.
Legislation that enacts the National Greenhouse and Emissions Reporting (NGER) scheme and outlines GHG expectations and reporting obligations for large companies. The Act is designed to ensure that large companies do to emit more than their applicable baseline emissions.
