Juan J. Monroe 
Eleven of Australia’s biggest companies, including Coles and Woodside, have all expressed a keen interest in participating in the government’s new Emissions Reduction Transparency Report (CERT), which is launched today.
The CERT report is a simple reporting framework that allows companies to publicly present their emission reduction commitments and progress, in a clear and consistent manner. Some aspects of the progress will be validated against data held by the Clean Energy Regulator. Companies can access a CERT Report’s first pilot guidance starting today to make a final decision on membership.
Clean Energy Regulator Chairman David Parker said it was exciting that 11 of Australia’s largest companies, representing a wide range of industries, told us they wanted to participate in the CERT report, even before the launch of ‘today.
“Investors, regulators, supply chains and customers increasingly expect greater accountability and transparency on how companies deal with climate-related risks,” Parker said.
“The CERT report is a practical way to help companies showcase their achievements. By improving access to high-quality information on emissions and renewable electricity, and using reliable data to validate aspects of progress, the CERT report will provide a clearer picture of the actions companies are taking to reduce their net emissions.
“Companies that participate in the CERT report will be seen as leading the way. I encourage all eligible companies to join the CERT report and demonstrate their commitment to transparency. “
Mr Parker said the report was co-designed with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry. He also pointed out that the CERT report has benefited from wide consultation, ensuring that it makes a useful contribution to corporate sustainability reports and will support climate-related disclosures from participating companies.
“It is important to note that the CERT report offers companies the possibility to report their net emissions position, in addition to their gross emissions for the relevant reference period, providing a more complete picture of their emissions profile.
“The CERT report can also help them report into popular international frameworks, such as the Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Working Group, in a more standardized way.
“Over time, we expect the CERT report to facilitate peer comparisons and provide insight into how the private sector engages in the voluntary carbon market,” Parker said.
Participation is voluntary and straightforward. The CERT report is open to all national greenhouse and energy reporting companies that report more than 50 kilotonnes of emissions per year.
Interested companies have until January 30, 2022 to make a final decision on joining the CERT report.
