Sustainability (ESG)
As sustainability continues to become an integral business consideration, demand for individuals with environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise is surging. Accountants hold a unique position in ensuring that businesses are not only compliant, but also actively supporting a more sustainable economy.
All over the world, accountants are leading the charge to advance sustainable and ethical business practices by reporting on the transition to a more sustainable future, as well as providing assurance on disclosures across various industries. CPA Australia is committed to helping members stay at the forefront of ESG standards and evolving best practice by providing the knowledge and qualifications needed to excel in this emerging area.
Our areas of focus
Climate – Policy, tools and resources
Play an important role in shaping environmentally sensitive business and economic policies.
- Governance and risk
Social – Policy, tools and resources
Lead the charge in considering community impacts and advancing ethical business practices.
- Governance and risk
ESG Centre of Excellence
Contributing to policy, thought-leadership and advocacy in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
- Ethics
- Business management
Future of corporate reporting
Explore different reporting frameworks for best practice corporate governance
- Governance and risk
ESG global webinar series
Upskill in ESG with our CPD courses
We offer a range of professional development courses and micro-credentials in ESG to help you upskill, from getting started in ESG Fundamentals and an introduction to IFRS sustainablity standards, to more specific areas such as ESG leadership and strategy, reporting and disclosure, AI ethics and governance, greenhouse gas accounting and more.
Sustainability Micro-credentials
This stand-alone micro-credentialed course aims to provide learners with an understanding of the expectations and reporting requirements for sustainability, with a focus on the value that finance professionals can provide.
Webinars
Podcasts
Understanding ESG's growing role in the fashion industry
Discover the fashion industry's challenges as it balances sustainability with profitability
- Environment and Sustainability
10 min listening timePublished onEnvisioning 2035: the future landscape of accounting and finance
Learn how AI and ESG will change accounting and finance in 10 years' time
- Personal and career development
20 min listening timePublished onBeyond profits: the case for social impact reporting
Join guest Adam Vise to learn why social impact reporting should matter to business
- Environment and Sustainability
29 min listening timePublished onEthical intelligence for accountants
Explore ethical decision-making and learn how to avoid violating key ethics principles
- Ethics
26 min listening timePublished onUnlocking the potential of carbon accounting
How accountants, business and finance professionals can play a pivotal role
- Accounting updates
21 min listening timePublished onA zero-carbon future that leaves no Australian behind
Can we achieve a just transition for those affected by energy sector changes?
- Environment and Sustainability
24 min listening timePublished on
Articles
Understanding ESG’s growing role in the fashion industry
articleVisit INTHEBLACKCan a taxonomy filter greenwashing from the economy?
articleVisit INTHEBLACKEnvisioning 2035: the future landscape of accounting and finance
articleVisit INTHEBLACKTowards net zero: Asia’s green transition
articleVisit INTHEBLACKESG in practice: Are B Corps really better?
articleVisit INTHEBLACKEveryday ethics: How to communicate ESG with authenticity
articleVisit INTHEBLACKMalaysia’s record spend on Budget 2025
articleVisit INTHEBLACKWhy Australia’s sugar industry is embracing innovation
articleVisit INTHEBLACK5 essential carbon accounting software solutions
articleVisit INTHEBLACKThe case for standardised social impact reporting measurements
articleVisit INTHEBLACK