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ARTICLE · 21 APRIL 2021

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The latest ESG frontier: biodiversity loss risk disclosures

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Corrs Chambers Westgarth

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Climate change reporting is likely to influence and inform biodiversity loss risk reporting for Australian corporations.

AustraliaCorporate/Commercial Law
Christine Covington
Christine Covington
Sandy Mak
Sandy Mak
Phoebe Wynn-Pope
Phoebe Wynn-Pope
Julia Green
Julia Green
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Australian corporations' reporting on climate change has gained significant traction in the last decade. For listed entities in particular, it is becoming an increasingly integral part of complying with the obligation to disclose risks to investors under Section 299A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Focus is now turning to another aspect of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting, referred to as 'biodiversity loss risk' or 'natural capital'.

What is biodiversity loss risk and why is it relevant?

The objective of biodiversity loss risk disclosure is to financially account for biodiversity-related impacts or dependencies of businesses. To date, these factors have not formed part of the valuation of a business over either the long, medium or short term.

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