Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is no longer optional. With the introduction of mandatory sustainability reporting in Australia, organisations must be ready to demonstrate compliance, transparency and accountability across all ESG factors. For many, the challenge is not the intent, but the information.
That’s where information and records managers come in.
Why ESG Needs Information and Records Managers
ESG reporting touches every part of an organisation:
- Environmental data such as emissions, energy use and methodology changes
- Social reporting including diversity and inclusion, supplier compliance, and community impact evaluation
- Governance structures that show how decisions are made and documented
Each of these relies on accurate, accessible, and verifiable records. Without well-managed information assets, ESG reports risk being incomplete, inconsistent or non-compliant. Information and Records managers bring the systems, processes and expertise to ensure ESG data can withstand audit and scrutiny.
The Shifting Landscape
As highlighted in the ASIC Sustainability Guide (RG280), mandatory reporting is here, and expectations will only increase. Organisations must prepare to:
- Design and maintain information asset registers
- Implement strategies to manage information risks
- Build systems that support ESG audits and compliance checks
Those who act early will be better positioned to meet obligations with confidence — and avoid last-minute, high-risk data scrambles.
Building the Bridge Between Records and ESG
The role of information and records managers goes beyond compliance. By embedding strong governance into ESG reporting, they enable organisations to:
- Create reliable, transparent disclosures that inspire trust with investors and stakeholders
- Demonstrate accountability in diversity, inclusion, and community impact
- Reduce reputational and financial risk from incomplete or inaccurate reporting
At Recordkeeping Innovation, we see ESG as an opportunity for information and records managers to showcase their value in driving sustainable, data-led business practices. ESG success is built on a foundation of accurate, well-governed records — and information andrecords managers are the custodians of that foundation.
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