• Half of Australian business leaders now back mandatory climate disclosure, Schneider Electric research shows, signalling growing alignment between corporate and policy priorities.

• The study cites capability and funding gaps as major hurdles to climate disclosure, with only one in eight businesses fully ready to meet new reporting standards.

• More than half of leaders believe the disclosure requirements will lead to an acceleration of sustainability improvements in their businesses, reflecting the connection between transparency and accountability for action

• Two-thirds of leaders say accelerating the energy transition will bring long-term gains, tying sustainability performance to competitiveness and brand value.

Corporate Australia is increasingly united in its support for stronger climate transparency, with new research from Schneider Electric showing that businesses are stepping up their commitment to sustainability disclosure.

According to Schneider Electric’s Energy Tech Pulse Survey, half of all business leaders back mandatory climate-related reporting, and three-quarters say their organisation is at least somewhat prepared to comply with new standards. The findings highlight a growing recognition that climate reporting is not just a regulatory requirement, but a foundation for competitiveness, investor confidence, and operational resilience.

“It’s encouraging to see such strong business support for climate disclosure,” said Lisa Zembrodt, Principal and Senior Director, Se Advisory Services, Schneider Electric. “The introduction of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards is raising the bar for corporate leadership and position sustainability as a core driver of performance and innovation. As an energy technology partner, we see that when companies embed sustainability into strategy – backed by accurate data and robust governance – they’re not just meeting expectations, they’re building credibility, resilience, and long-term value.”

Momentum builds ahead of new sustainability standards

Australia’s first round of sustainability compliance reports  were released in Q1 2026, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward greater corporate accountability. The Energy Tech Pulse Survey shows that 75% of businesses have already begun preparing for the ongoing activity, with many focusing on improving data capture, internal reporting processes, and governance oversight.

The research also suggests that climate disclosure is being reframed as an opportunity, not a burden. Many leaders view the process as a catalyst for business transformation, helping organisations map emissions across supply chains, set science-based targets, and identify efficiency gains through electrification and digitalisation.

Readiness rising but capability gaps persist

Despite this momentum, challenges remain. Only one in eight businesses (12%) describe themselves as fully ready to comply with new climate disclosure requirements. The biggest barriers include limited internal expertise, budget constraints, and governance complexity, particularly for organisations that lack dedicated sustainability teams.

Almost three in ten respondents said that a shortfall in staff capability is the single biggest obstacle to progress. This underscores a growing need for tapping external expertise, investment in skills development and digital infrastructure platforms such as Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Resource Advisor  to ensure data accuracy and reporting consistency across multiple business units.

Sustainability as a competitive advantage

Two-thirds of leaders agree that moving faster on the energy transition will deliver long-term business benefits, while more than half believe companies risk losing market share if they fail to act on sustainability. This reinforces the growing link between environmental accountability and competitive performance, a theme shaping investment priorities across the economy.

“Sustainability is fast becoming a catalyst for better business,” Zembrodt said. “It’s strengthening the connection between climate action, opportunity, and financial performance. With credible data, clear transition plans, and strong collaboration, organisations can build trust, unlock efficiencies, and lead the transition to a more resilient, sustainable economy.”

The full survey results will be released on 28 April.

The Schneider Electric Energy Tech Pulse Survey was conducted by Antenna to better understand the challenges, opportunities and investment priorities shaping Australia’s business landscape through the energy transition.

The research gathered insights from more than 500 senior decision-makers across industries including manufacturing, construction, technology, retail, healthcare and professional services. Respondents represented organisations of varying sizes, from small and medium enterprises to large national corporations.

The study explored key themes such as energy costs and supply stability, workforce capability, technology adoption, sustainability readiness, and regulatory confidence. Its purpose was to gauge how Australian organisations are adapting to economic, environmental and technological change, and what factors are most likely to influence competitiveness and investment over the next three years.

Data was collected via an online quantitative survey, with results analysed independently by ASI researchers.

About Schneider Electric 

Schneider Electric is a global energy technology leader, driving efficiency and sustainability by electrifying, automating, and digitalising industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centres, factories, infrastructure, and grids to operate as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing performance, resilience, and sustainability. The portfolio includes intelligent devices, software-defined architectures, AI-powered systems, digital services, and expert advisory. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently ranked among the world’s most sustainable companies.

www.se.com

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