Sustainability as strategy: CPA Australia conference highlights ESG as business enabler

Sustainability is not just a regulatory requirement, but a strategic advantage for businesses and their clients, with accountants playing a leading role.

That was the message from CPA Australia’s Sustainability in Action: Strategy and Impact Conference at the Crowne Plaza in Hobart this week, where business and leadership professionals gathered to hear from expert speakers and to discuss emerging sustainability requirements.

The two-day event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions and workshops focused on the evolving landscape of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and the need for business leaders to align their value propositions, strategies and business models for a more sustainable future. 

Delegates from corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors engaged in impactful conversations about how sustainability drives better business decisions, enhances resilience and fosters long-term value creation.

CPA Australia’s ESG Lead, Patrick Viljoen, said the conference reinforced the growing importance of systems thinking and stewardship in building future-ready organisations. 

“Sustainability reporting encourages organisations to look to the future, to assess their exposure to climate, nature, and social risks and opportunities,” he said. “It’s about developing a balanced approach to business transformation and strategic value propositions, with the accounting profession playing a leading role.”

The conference’s core themes – Stewardship, Integrated Thinking and Practical Application – were woven throughout the program, which included real-world case studies and collaborative sector-specific discussions. 

Attendees gained insights into the critical business considerations that would support reporting under AASB S2, and explored how ESG principles can be embedded into financial and operational decision-making.

Mr Viljoen said the conference marked a turning point in how sustainability is perceived within the accounting profession.

“We’re seeing a shift from sustainability as a compliance burden to sustainability as a business enabler,” Mr Viljoen said. “When organisations align ambition with credible action and transparent accountability, they unlock new opportunities for innovation, stakeholder trust and long-term profitability.

“Sustainability is not just about reporting – it’s about rethinking how we create value. Accountants are uniquely positioned to guide this transformation as they understand how to quantify impact, allocate capital effectively, and ensure governance structures support long-term goals. ESG is a language of leadership, and our profession must be fluent in it.”

CPA Australia continues to invest in member capability through its Sustainability Micro-credentials and upcoming evolution of the CPA Program, which will include dedicated sustainability electives.

These initiatives aim to prepare members for the emerging requirements on business, including how to navigate the complexities of ESG and contributing meaningfully to their organisations’ transition to net zero.

Media contact

Simon Downes, External Affairs Lead
[email protected]
+61 0401 461 503