Half of corporate leaders back mandatory climate disclosure, but only 1 in 8 say they’re fully ready—skills, funding and governance are the pinch points as new reporting rules roll out.
Corporate climate disclosure is moving from a boardroom debate to an operational project—yet many organisations are still not prepared for the details.
A shift toward mandatory climate reporting
Half of Australian business leaders now support mandatory climate-related disclosure. according to Misryoum analysis of Schneider Electric’s Energy Tech Pulse Survey.. That support comes alongside a wider sense that organisations are at least somewhat prepared: three-quarters of leaders say they are ready to comply with upcoming reporting standards.
The momentum matters because climate disclosure is no longer viewed purely as compliance paperwork.. Leaders increasingly treat it as a business management tool—something that can shape strategy. influence investment decisions. and push companies to quantify risks tied to emissions. energy use and supply chain exposure.. Misryoum sees this as a growing alignment between policy expectations and corporate priorities. even if the “how” is where most companies struggle.
Readiness is rising, but only a minority are fully prepared
The survey points to a clear readiness gap.. Only one in eight businesses (12%) describe themselves as fully ready to meet the new climate disclosure requirements.. Misryoum readers may recognise the pattern: many organisations have started. but few have completed the internal work required to meet consistently reliable reporting.
Three themes are repeatedly flagged as the biggest hurdles—capability, funding and governance complexity.. Almost three in ten respondents cite a lack of staff capability as the single biggest obstacle.. For many companies. the problem isn’t just collecting data; it’s managing the process end-to-end. making sure the right people own each part of the reporting. and ensuring internal systems can produce information that stands up to scrutiny.
Misryoum also notes that governance tends to get harder the moment disclosure expands beyond a single business unit.. Climate reporting typically touches procurement, operations, finance, risk, and sustainability teams.. Without a dedicated sustainability function—or without the ability to scale expertise across the organisation—that complexity can quickly stall progress.
Why climate disclosure is increasingly tied to competitiveness
A majority of leaders believe reporting requirements will accelerate sustainability improvements inside their businesses.. Misryoum interprets this as the accountability effect: once climate impacts must be measured and disclosed. management pressure tends to shift from broad commitments to specific plans. timelines and measurable outcomes.
Two-thirds of leaders also link faster progress on the energy transition with long-term gains.. More than half say companies risk losing market share if they do not act on sustainability.. This is an important shift in framing.. Climate disclosure becomes less of a “risk to manage” and more of a lens through which customers. investors and partners assess credibility.
In practical terms. disclosure is pushing companies to move from aspirational targets to operational change—mapping emissions across supply chains. identifying improvement opportunities. and linking sustainability performance to competitiveness and brand value.. Misryoum’s editorial takeaway: the business case is being built around resilience as much as reputation.
What’s driving progress now
Companies say they are already preparing. Misryoum analysis of the survey indicates that 75% of businesses have begun preparing for ongoing reporting requirements, with many focused on strengthening data capture, internal reporting processes and governance oversight.
This is where technology and expertise start to matter.. Leaders are increasingly looking for ways to improve data accuracy and reporting consistency, especially when multiple business units are involved.. Misryoum highlights the emerging role of digital systems in climate reporting—tools that can support emissions tracking. connect operational data to reporting needs. and reduce the chance of inconsistencies that undermine confidence.
The policy deadline is close—skills and systems will decide the winners
Australia’s sustainability compliance reporting milestone has begun, with reporting released in Q1 2026.. Misryoum expects a second wave effect as companies move from “starting” toward “proving.” Once reporting moves from early preparation into repeated cycles. the companies that invest in skills development. clearer governance and reliable data infrastructure are more likely to stay ahead.
The survey also mentions a forthcoming release date for the full findings.. For Misryoum’s audience. the immediate signal is the same: organisations that are only partially ready may be overestimating their ability to deliver future reporting cycles without stronger internal capability and budget support.
Whether climate disclosure becomes a competitive advantage or a costly scramble will likely depend less on intent and more on execution—how quickly companies can build reporting muscle, standardise approaches across teams, and turn sustainability data into decision-ready information.