Chartered Accountants welcome climate-related financial disclosures discussion document
Karen McWilliams, Business Reform Leader for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand today welcomed the
Government’s consultation document on a new regime requiring companies to assess and report their climate-related
financial risks.
“New Zealand has fallen behind in awareness of the climate-related risks facing businesses, creating an information gap
for investors, lenders and insurers.
“Around the world, businesses often have a clear road map guiding them on what to report, and where.”
McWilliams said a critical driver of the change in Australia was a landmark legal opinion in 2016 showing Australian law
requires company directors to consider, disclose and respond to climate change.
“The just-released legal opinion by the Aotearoa Circle says climate change is a foreseeable risk of financial harm to
many businesses and directors and that managers have a responsibility to treat climate risk the same as any other
financial risk.”
McWilliams said CA ANZ is a strong advocate for appropriate climate-related disclosures and reporting for decision
making.
“In our experience, there is also a general lack of awareness and understanding in the broader business community
regarding climate change-related risks and opportunities.”