Climate Compliance is Heating Up: What Aussie Businesses Need to Know About New Emissions Regulations
Australia’s climate and emissions reporting rules are entering a new era. For mid-sized businesses, this means more scrutiny, tighter deadlines, and a clear need for reliable, structured data.
Whether you're leading ESG, finance, or operational strategy, the message is clear. Compliance is no longer just about annual reports. It's about having the right data, ready to go, all the time.
Here’s a breakdown of the key regulations driving this shift, what they mean for your business, and how you can stay ahead without adding complexity.
AASB Climate-Related Disclosure Standards
What it is
Australia is adopting new climate reporting standards aligned with the ISSB. Companies must disclose Scope 1, 2 and material Scope 3 emissions, plus governance, strategy, and risk metrics.
Key dates
Starts July 2025 for large entities (over 500 employees, over $1 billion revenue)
Phased rollout to smaller businesses through 2027
Business impact
High burden for emissions transparency and data accuracy
Especially challenging for Scope 3 data from suppliers
Greater reputational and audit risk from poor reporting
How Conifr helps
Automatically extracts emissions data from invoices, utility reports and more
Aligns data to ISSB and AASB frameworks
Provides audit-ready reporting and intuitive dashboards
Safeguard Mechanism Reforms
What it is
Large emitters now face year-on-year emissions reduction targets or must purchase offsets through the ACCU market.
Key dates
New rules began in July 2023
Annual reductions continue through to 2030
Business impact
Financial exposure from excess emissions
Complex tracking needed across sites and assets
Strategic decisions tied to emissions performance
How Conifr helps
Tracks emissions by site, asset, or department
Flags inefficiencies and emissions hotspots
Structures data for baseline tracking and offset planning
NGER Scheme Enhancements
What it is
Australia's national carbon reporting framework is tightening up with new expectations for auditability and data integrity.
Key dates
Annual reporting due 30 June
Enhanced auditing applies from 2024 onwards
Business impact
Manual data processes are time-consuming and error-prone
Risk of non-compliance without strong audit trails
Increased expectations for clean, structured data
How Conifr helps
Automates ingestion of activity data from documents
Maps and categorises data for NGER compliance
Maintains a traceable source-to-report data trail
State-Based Net Zero Targets
What it is
States like WA are setting ambitious climate targets, such as 80 percent emissions reduction by 2030. These targets influence planning, procurement, and funding eligibility.
Key dates
Active now and intensifying through 2030
Applies to many companies working with or funded by state governments
Business impact
ESG credentials impact competitiveness in government tenders
Growing need to demonstrate initiative-level emissions outcomes
How Conifr helps
Tracks emissions reduction initiatives and site-level performance
Links operational changes to measurable environmental outcomes
Supports both internal decision-making and external reporting
A Smarter Way to Meet the Challenge
Climate compliance is becoming more data-driven, more frequent, and more business-critical. Conifr helps mid-market businesses reduce the burden by automating data capture, standardisation and reporting — without new systems or IT overhead.
Let’s chat if you're navigating these changes and looking for a scalable way to stay ahead.