How to oversee nature risks and opportunities as a board member

There's lots of mis-information about ESG out there these days. Rehana Nathoo of Spectrum Impact details an evidenced-based way to address the most common criticisms in her pocket guide.

California’s SB 261 is raising the bar on climate risk disclosure, requiring qualifying businesses to publish climate-related financial risk reports starting January 1, 2026. At Alvarez & Marsal, our Environmental, Technical & Sustainability (ETS) team helps organizations simplify compliance and deliver actionable insights to position you for success under SB 261 and beyond. Learn more about A&M’s ETS services here: https://lnkd.in/eXGCsNzf #ClimateRisk #Sustainability #Compliance

Last week I participated in the Climate Governance Forum 2025, hosted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Alongside other directors, executives, and experts, we explored the evolving landscape of climate-related governance. The forum offered valuable insights into the expectations around climate-related disclosure and transition planning. My observation is that many companies are bringing climate disclosures into the CFO’s scope, recognising that these will eventually carry the same assurance requirements as traditional financial reporting. It is a clear example of the ever-growing role of the CFO in guiding organisations through emerging reporting demands and strategic risks. What stood out most was the pragmatic, forward-looking tone - this is a complex challenge, but one Australia is prepared to meet with determination, capability and collaboration. One speaker captured it powerfully: “We are moving from morality to materiality”. The message is clear – climate-related risks and opportunities are no longer abstract or optional. They are rapidly becoming central to strategy, value protection, and access to capital. Transitioning into this new reporting landscape will not be easy, but it is achievable. Being prepared - with the right data, mindset and governance structures - is fast becoming a success factor for businesses of all sizes. I left the forum with a strong sense of what is possible when boards, executives and stakeholders adopt a can-do attitude, grounded in action, transparency and ambition.

I was proud to represent the Australian Maths Trust (AMT) at the Australian Institute of Company Directors Climate Governance Forum this month, where I joined fellow directors and leaders to explore how boards can drive meaningful climate action. As Chair of AMT’s Finance, Audit, and Risk Management Committee, I am deeply committed to our investment strategy that supports organisations with a balanced and purposeful approach to ESG. Our focus is on creating long-term value for young people and future generations, aligning our financial decisions with our educational mission. The forum’s theme, “From Ambition to Action,” captured the urgency and opportunity of this moment. Key takeaways included: 🌿 Embedding climate resilience into core business strategy 🧭 Aligning culture and capacity to ensure boards are equipped to lead 💬 Creating space for deep boardroom dialogue to tackle complex issues, like climate risk and nature-positive transitions 📊 Preparing for mandatory climate reporting with transparency 📈 Financing climate transition plans through future-focused business cases. A full copy of the keynote address by IAG Chair Tom Pockett is available at: https://lnkd.in/dbh2aZTB Well done and thank you to the AICD team for curating a valuable discussion.

"In this new era, voluntary action and legal risk management are converging." According to Simon Heppner, #ChiefSustainabilityOfficer at Ecologi | B Corp™, a July 2025 ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has the potential to fundamentally shift the way climate action is perceived - with great consequences for the voluntary #CarbonMarket. In this article, he shares his predictions for the chain of events set to be triggered by the court's decision, how this will impact carbon credit procurement, and why now is the time for CSOs to prepare for this changing environment. https://lnkd.in/eVQbPvjg #Sponsored #VCM #CarbonCredits #ChiefSustainabilityOfficer

How you read the climate risk disclosure mandate matters Is this your first climate risk realised? You meet the nuts and bolts of the climate disclosure requirement…but miss the strategic opportunity? Regulation can bring a reactive mindset. I know it falls easily into the list of compliance chores and overheads. It is tempting to complain, delay or delegate. Completing the climate risk disclosure mandate, particularly for the first time for companies in Group 2, takes thought, resources, and effective stakeholder engagement. The secret – there is a win for the effort. The win is in framing disclosure as a lever for business insight and advantage – seizing the opportunity for actionable value protection, new business, market share, innovation and value. The climate risk disclosure mandate is designed to surface financially material climate risks and opportunities, sharpening your strategic lens to protect and create value. At core the Australian Accounting Standards Board S2 prompt questions like: ? How does climate reshape your business model, cash flow, and valuation? ? Are the assumptions underlying your financial forecasts valid? ? Are you treating climate as a dynamic strategic variable? Bringing a compliance mindset to this task can trigger new risks: Directors unfamiliar with climate risk might focus on risk and miss opportunity and resilience CEO’s might functionally silo climate risk from strategy and capital allocation Scenarios can be abstract and remain unconnected with how your leaders perceive the future. When you lead with a performance mindset, the analysis underpining disclosure delivers strategic insight and competitive advantage over the short, medium and long term. You and your team understand where your value is vulnerable and exposed, the action you can take to protect value, and where you can grow. I can help you frame this compliance activity for the win, and engage your stakeholders for the strategic insight. Connect with me for a copy of the white paper 'Performance or Compliance, your approach to climate risk matters', written with @StellaWhittaker. Contact me to book a free strategy appointment to frame your approach. #ClimateDisclosure #CFOLeadership #StrategicFinance #AASBS2 #ClimateRisk #ClimateOpportunity #StakeholderEngagement #ClimateTransitionPlan #CSuite #BoardDirectors #AICD #CGF25

Is your board ready for ESG? In today’s business world, ESG and sustainability are no longer just buzzwords—they are core to long-term value creation and risk mitigation. In this video, we explain why every board of directors and senior executive team needs a clear, simple, and practical understanding of ESG and sustainability.

Just in Time N.170 | 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Click here to read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dBSmW668 The Joint Guidelines developed by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) aim to ensure the consistent integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks into supervisory stress testing by competent authorities. These guidelines provide a structured approach for incorporating ESG risks either within existing frameworks or through complementary assessments. They emphasize the importance of clear methodological principles, adequate resource allocation, robust data infrastructure, and effective governance. The initiative is grounded in EU legislative mandates and seeks to promote harmonized, forward-looking, and pragmatic ESG stress testing practices across the financial sector. Authors: Tommaso Casagrande, Alessandro Ghisoni, Alessio Quadrini and Marco Visaggio #iasonJustinTime #ESGRisk #StressTest #JointGuidelines #SupervisoryProcess  

From Pledges to Proof: Advancing Integrity in Climate Finance and Reporting I recently attended an eye-opening webinar organized by the Good Governance Academy on the topic “From Pledges to Proof: Advancing Integrity in Climate Finance and Reporting.” The discussions reinforced an important reality climate commitments must be backed by credible action, transparent data, and rigorous reporting. Some key takeaways for me were: Strong governance and assurance frameworks are essential to build trust and avoid greenwashing. Reliable climate finance reporting is no longer a “nice to have” it is a requirement for sustainable impact. Collaboration among regulators, businesses, and civil society ensures that climate finance initiatives deliver measurable results. Integrity in sustainability reporting ultimately drives both accountability and real progress. As a finance and governance professional, these insights deepen my understanding of how financial systems, accountability, and sustainability are interconnected. They also challenge me to think about how I can contribute to strengthening integrity in the spaces where I work and learn. Many thanks to the Good Governance Academy for providing such a timely and impactful platform for this conversation. #ClimateFinance #Sustainability #Governance #Integrity #ClimateReporting #Transparency #GoodGovernance #GAB & ASSOCIATES ( BUSINESS CONSULTANTS)

Climate Governance and Board Accountability According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, boards of directors have a unique opportunity to strengthen governance by embedding climate considerations into oversight, risk management, and corporate strategy. At The AACI, we emphasize that robust governance and internal controls are central to preventing corruption and ensuring long-term organizational integrity. Just as with anti-corruption frameworks, climate governance requires clear accountability, transparent reporting, and proactive leadership from the top. Strong boards not only monitor compliance, they set the tone for ethical and sustainable decision-making. 🔗 Read more in HBR: https://lnkd.in/d2JCJAvT #Governance #BoardLeadership #ClimateGovernance #AntiCorruption #Integrity