BCSDA to Make Submission on Climate-related Transition Planning Guidance
- bcsda0
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Sydney, 4 September 2025 - The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) will make a formal submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the draft Climate-related Transition Planning Guidance, which aims to support organisations in building credible, forward-looking climate transition plans as part of Australia’s broader push toward a sustainable, net zero economy.
The guidance, developed by Treasury, provides a voluntary framework to help organisations prepare robust, internationally aligned transition plans. It forms part of the Australian Government’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap and is closely aligned with AASB S2 climate disclosure standards and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) UK Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) framework.
The draft outlines four key pillars to guide business in embedding transition planning into strategic decision-making. These include:
Foundations, covering climate ambitions, business model impacts, and key assumptions.
Implementation Strategy, encompassing decarbonisation, adaptation, financial planning, and the use of taxonomies.
Engagement Strategy, encouraging collaboration across value chains, government, industry, and civil society.
Metrics and Governance, focusing on target setting, board oversight, internal capabilities, incentives, and tracking progress.
BCSDA, the leading voice for sustainable business in Australia, welcomes the guidance as a constructive step in advancing consistent, transparent and credible transition planning across sectors. Our submission will focus on how the framework supports corporate performance, including climate-related governance, financial integration, and risk management.
A significant majority of ASX200 companies by market capitalisation have announced net zero intentions – and with mandatory climate-related financial disclosures coming into force for large entities from 1 January 2025 - there is increasing urgency for organisations to build capacity and confidence in publishing clear and actionable transition plans.
The submission will also reflect on the broader regulatory landscape, including the Safeguard Mechanism, National Adaptation Plan and Net Zero Plan, as well as oversight roles of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission in ensuring transparency and integrity in climate-related disclosures and marketing claims.
BCSDA will highlight practical accountability measures such as board-level oversight, linking executive incentives to climate targets, internal training, and public transparency through measurable metrics.
The consultation is open until 24 September 2025, and BCSDA encourages its members and stakeholders across the business community to actively engage in shaping this important guidance.
About BCSD Australia
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.
In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.
t: +61 (0)2 8005 0780
m: +61 (0)412 545 994
For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994
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