Navigating the complexities of ESG standards and compliance
20-21 May 2025
MCG Melbourne
About the IX ESG Summit
With Australia’s new mandatory climate disclosure law now in effect, companies face increasing pressure to stay ahead of regulatory requirements by providing transparent ESG reporting across operations and supply chains. While the mandatory disclosure is initially focused on climate there is a clear trajectory towards expanding this to encompass nature and social disclosures, significantly increasing the challenges for reporting companies. This is the most significant change to reporting and director responsibilities in a generation, impacting not only the largest companies across the country but also thousands of SMEs.
Government entities must also begin reporting climate-related risks under the Commonwealth Climate Disclosure policy with large not-for-profit organisations required to disclose by 2027. All this should see measurable improvements in ESG and economic outcomes.
Reporting and disclosure across supply chains is resource intense and increasingly complex. Advanced tools such as AI, data analytics, and blockchain streamline ESG data collection and reporting, can support greater accuracy, efficiency and transparency across supply chains.
The 2nd Impact X Summit for ESG Reporting & Disclosure will gather business leaders, finance directors and sustainability practitioners to address the increasingly complex developments in sustainability disclosures. Participants will learn how to navigate these complexities to drive improved ESG and business performance.
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2025 Speakers
Justin Williams
Managing Director
Australian Accounting Standards Board and Auditing & Assurance Standards Board
Mary Delahunty
Chief Executive Officer
Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia
Tony Goldner
Chief Executive Officer
Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure
Ange Nichols
Senior Adviser, Climate Change
Insurance Council of Australia
Fiona Reynolds
Chair
UN Global Compact Australia
Roslyn Toms
Group Executive Legal & Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel
nib Group
Jon Whittle
Director
CSIRO Data61
Kate Dundas
Executive Director
UN Global Compact Australia
Paolo Bevilacqua
Group Head of Sustainability
Frasers Property
Kazuma Osaki
Head of Policy, Asia Pacific
UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Chris Croker
Co-Chair
First Nations Clean Energy Council
Suzanne Tavill
Global Head of Responsible Investment
StepStone Group
Mathew Dunckley
Deputy Editor
The Age
Joe Karten
Head of Sustainability and Impact
Built
Jeanne Stampe
Lead Policy Advisor
Norges Bank Investment Management
Sally Townsend
Head of Sustainability
Blackmores
Michael Lambden
Head of Sustainable Futures
Melbourne Water
Jocelyn King
Chair
First Australians Capital
Leilani Weier
General manager, Responsible Investment & Sustainability
Rest
Lisa Zembrodt
Principal & Senior Director, Sustainability Business
Schneider Electric
Paul Smith
Technology Editor
Australian Financial Review
Chris Owen
Partner & ESG Group Chair
Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Shalini Samuel
Head of Certification
Responsible Investment Association Australasia
Ann Nicholson
Dean, Faculty of Information Technology
Monash University
Shu Setogawa
Director of Business
ASUENE
Lydia Hatch
Senior Sustainability Specialist
Telstra
Michaela Aspell
Senior Climate Adviser
Owl Advisory by KWM
Guy Williams
Founder
Ziranjiti
Kirsten Phillips
Sustainability Manager
GrainCorp
Mark Gough
CEO
Capitals Coalition
Mark Rowland
Chief Collaboration Officer
ROCeteer Inc
Semra Deniz
ESG Reporting and Social Impact Manager
CSL
Sam Donaldson
Hub Sustainability Leader
Laing O’Rourke
Main stage
Learn how to navigate evolving ESG reporting requirements with insights, strategies, and real-world case studies from 50+ experts.
Network & Meet
Network with more than 200 sustainability, finance, and compliance professionals from business, government, and investment sectors.
Future focused discussions
Explore big ideas for a climate-positive future at Impact X, where visionary leaders and innovative solutions drive progress and empower action for lasting impact.
Climate solutions showcase
Connect with cutting-edge solution providers and technology innovators shaping the future of ESG reporting.
Who attends?
A multi-stakeholder event where leaders from business, government, academia, and NGOs share ESG reporting advancements and explore collaboration to drive transparency, compliance, and impact at scale.
Business decision makers
Across key sectors from startups to the largest corporations, working together to drive transparency, accountability, and impact in ESG reporting and disclosure.
Finance & investment leaders
Banks, pension funds, investment firms, venture capital and private equity firms, asset owners, public and development finance institutions.
Government & Policy Makers
Local councils, city, state and federal government agencies setting the agenda with robust ESG policies, enhanced disclosure frameworks, and regulatory oversight.
Agenda
8:00
Arrival and registration
8:45
Acknowledgement of Country
Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global
9:15
Discussion Panel: Breaking down the latest in ESG reporting and disclosure
Key implications of Australia’s mandatory climate disclosure law and its expected expansion to include nature and social disclosures.
Challenges and opportunities in harmonising ESG reporting with international frameworks such as ISSB and TCFD.
Addressing the burden on SMEs and large corporations in implementing new reporting requirements effectively.
Moderator: Mathew Dunckley, Deputy Editor, The Age
Panellists: Justin Williams,Managing Director, Australian Accounting Standards Board and Auditing & Assurance Standards Board
Jeanne Stampe, Lead Policy Advisor, Norges Bank Investment Management
Jocelyn King, Chair, First Australians Capital
10:00
In conversation
10:15
Discussion panel: Building a collaborative supply chain to stay ahead in reporting and disclosure
Strategies for engaging suppliers and partners to ensure consistent ESG reporting across the supply chain.
The role of regulatory compliance vs. voluntary best practices in maintaining transparency and competitiveness.
How can digital solutions such as real-time tracking and supplier audits enhance supply chain ESG disclosures.
Moderator: Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Australia
Panelists: Michael Lambden, Head of Sustainable Futures, Melbourne Water
11:00
Morning networking break
11:30
How does AI adoption affect ESG reporting?
Jon Whittle, Director, CSIRO Data61
12:00
Contentious ESG claims in Australia and beyond and how to avoid being on the wrong end of ESG litigation
Update on the latest ESG claims including greenwashing, climate change, biodiversity and human rights
Trends we are seeing in other key jurisdictions and how those cases might impact Australia
Tips on how to avoid being on the wrong end of an ESG claim
Chris Owen, Partner & ESG Group Chair, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
12:10
Networking Session
12:30
Lunch
1:30
Disclosure case study: Mandatory Climate Disclosure: Implementation and insights from the insurance sector
Ange Nichols, Senior Adviser, Climate Change, Insurance Council of Australia
1.45
Discussion panel: Sustainability disclosures in practice: the journey so far and preparing for the future
How have early adopters approached ESG reporting and disclosure, and what lessons can be drawn from their strategies, challenges, and impact?
What organisational changes are needed to meet the expectations of Australia’s new mandatory disclosure regime under ASRS?
What will it take to lead as ASRS expands — with rising expectations around nature, social risks, and integrated sustainability performance?
Michaela Aspell, Senior Climate Adviser, Owl Advisory by KWM
Kirsten Phillips, Sustainability Manager, GrainCorp
Semra Deniz, ESG Reporting and Social Impact Manager, CSL
2:30
Case Study: How the World's most sustainable business does its Reporting & Disclosure?
Lisa Zembrodt, Principal & Senior Director, Sustainability Business, Schneider Electric
2:45
Partner presentation
2:55
Afternoon networking break
3:30
Leveraging data, AI and other technologies to meet evolving reporting and disclosure requirements
How to ensure data integrity, reliability, and comparability in ESG reporting.
The role of big data and predictive analytics in identifying ESG risks and opportunities.
Ensuring regulatory compliance and cybersecurity in ESG data management.
Prof. Ann Nicholson, Dean, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
Lydia Hatch, Senior Sustainability Specialist, Telstra
4:10
Partner presentation
4:20
Connecting Climate Disclosure Requirements and Business Performances
How businesses can use climate disclosures to their advantage in making long term strategies
Why sustainability will be beneficial for business performances
How to best achieve climate reporting with efficiency
Shu Setogawa, Director of Sales & Business Development, ASUENE
4:30
Discussion panel: From reporting to action: How ESG reporting and disclosure can accelerate progress and deliver better business outcomes
Moving beyond compliance to embed ESG into corporate strategy and decision-making.
How companies can leverage ESG reporting to drive operational efficiencies and innovation.
Measuring the real impact of ESG initiatives and demonstrating tangible business value.
Moderator: Fiona Reynolds, UN Global Compact Australia
5:10
Global Updates on ESG Disclosure
Key developments in ISSB adoption in key global markets and the implications for Australian businesses.
Global trends in nature and biodiversity reporting and their expected regulatory trajectory.
Key developments in social impact-related risk disclosures
Tony Goldner, Chief Executive Officer, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
Mark Gough, CEO, Capitals Coalition (Virtual presentation)
5:40
Close of Day 1
5:45
Evening networking reception
Acknowledgement of Country
We respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their rich cultures and connections to land, sea and community. Together, we commit to building a sustainable future together.