How ISO 14001 EMS can help you comply with Australia’s new climate disclosure requirements

Australia’s Climate related Financial Disclosure (CRFD) regime is now mandatory, having commenced on 1 January 2025. This means businesses must formally report how climate change affects their operations, including risks like extreme weather events, water shortages and carbon pricing.

For many businesses, this marks a shift from optional to obligatory environmental accountability.

What does CRFD mean for your business?

The goal of the CRFD is simple:

• Increase transparency around climate risks

• Encourage better environmental governance

• Create a level playing field where all businesses manage and report environmental impacts

This is where a robust Environmental Management System (EMS) becomes an important asset to your business.

Leveraging ISO 14001 to stay ahead

EQAS Business Development helps companies develop and implement ISO 14001 EMS frameworks. Here’s how using ISO 14001 can support CRFD compliance and deliver broader business value.

1. Meet Legal Obligations Get clear on how your business affects the environment. This may include climate risks like carbon pricing, floods, drought or bushfires - and put a plan in place to manage them. Through a structured EMS, you can formally evaluate your environmental aspects and impacts - which is a key part of ISO 14001 compliance.

2. Monitor the right metrics

   Monitor your energy use, emissions, water and waste and use that data to set smart, meaningful improvement goals.

3. Build climate resilience into daily operations

   Factor climate risks into your decisions so you're better prepared for disruptions like extreme weather or shifting regulations.

Why this matters to your customers

More and more companies are asking their suppliers to disclose emissions and climate-related risks. If you’re part of their supply chain, you’ll need to demonstrate:

• Clear environmental governance

• Data traceability for climate related metrics

• Active efforts to manage and reduce environmental impact

With an ISO 14001-aligned EMS, you can:

• Showcase environmental due diligence

• Share accurate, verified data easily.

• Show your customers you’re a reliable, environmentally responsible supplier.

A strong EMS also helps businesses spot opportunities such as cutting energy costs or meeting the growing demand for sustainable suppliers.

So where do you start?

To help your organisation manage these delicate environmental challenges, EQAS Business Development offers hands on support with the implementation of an Environmental Management System that is both internationally recognised and ISO 14001 certified.

We’ll work with you to develop clear policies and procedures that show exactly how your business is addressing its environmental responsibilities. In doing so, you’ll not only meet compliance obligations, you’ll also earn a globally respected certification that reflects your commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement