ESG strategy course: Building ESG strategy skills for 2026 and beyond Sustainability Report
by &BLOOM Sustainability & ESG 08/01/2026
A Sustainability Journey, Social & Environmental Services
by &BLOOM Sustainability & ESG 08/01/2026
A Sustainability Journey, Social & Environmental Services
This article was contributed by &BLOOM Sustainability & ESG.
Helping investors and businesses surf the green wave in Australia & New Zealand
Our mission is clear: to assist investors and businesses in seizing opportunities where Sustainability & ESG and value creation coincide – striving for a future where investors can allocate finance sustainably, and businesses can grow in a nature-positive and socially responsible manner.
Through &BLOOM, we offer bespoke ESG consulting, helping organisations ride the green wave. We wear three hats to guide organisations through their ESG journey:
• Fact: We help your business set the foundations for ESG and sustainability in order to comply with regulations and the standards within your industry:
â—‹ ESG Policy
â—‹ Internal ESG Training
â—‹ Double-materiality Assessment
â—‹ Regulatory Compliance (e.g. AUS ASRS, NZ CRD, EU CSRD Support)
â—‹ Climate Risk Assessment (TCFD)
• Extract: We help your business assess and report on ESG and sustainability-related performance to showcase progress on goals and ambitions:
â—‹ ESG Due Diligence
â—‹ Carbon Footprint Assessments
â—‹ ESG Reporting
• Impact: Once the foundations have been set, we help you surf the green wave strategically focused specifically on key impact areas for your business:
â—‹ Strategy Workshops
â—‹ Competitor Benchmarking
â—‹ Impact Assessment
â—‹ Strategic Deep-dive Assessments
â—‹ Net Zero Roadmaps
www.bloomsustainability.co
We help investors & businesses set the foundations for ESG and sustainability in order to comply with regulations and the standards within your industry:
â—‹ ESG Policy
â—‹ Internal ESG Training
â—‹ Double-materiality Assessment
â—‹ Regulatory Compliance (e.g. AUS ASRS, NZ CRD, EU CSRD Support)
â—‹ Climate Risk Assessment (TCFD)
We help investors & businesses assess and report on ESG and sustainability-related performance to showcase progress on goals and ambitions:
â—‹ ESG Due Diligence
â—‹ Carbon Footprint Assessments
â—‹ ESG Reporting
Once the foundations have been set, we help you surf the green wave strategically focused specifically on key impact areas for your business:
â—‹ Strategy Workshops
â—‹ Competitor Benchmarking
â—‹ Impact Assessment
â—‹ Strategic Deep-dive Assessments
â—‹ Net Zero Roadmaps
In collaboration with our partners, &BLOOM delivers bespoke training offerings to help you build the capabilities to effectively embed ESG in strategy. These expert-led programs are tailored to your organization's unique needs, ensuring that your team is equipped with the knowledge, tools, and insights required to navigate the complexities of ESG:
- 40+ professionals supported
- 5-10 weeks to future-proof your strategy
We are proud to announce that &BLOOM has joined the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). This partnership enhances our commitment to guiding organizations in addressing the financial risks and opportunities arising from nature-related issues. By joining TNFD, we aim to strengthen our capability in helping clients develop strategies that safeguard both nature and financial performance, ensuring that sustainability becomes a key driver for long-term value creation.
This expansion marks an important step in our mission to support businesses and investors in navigating the complexities of sustainability and ESG integration. Our team of experienced analysts, now on the ground in Australia, will bring deep local insights and expertise to tailor our sustainability strategies and double materiality assessments to meet the unique needs of the Australian market. As we grow our presence in Australia, we remain committed to helping our clients adopt sustainable practices that align with global trends while addressing regional challenges. With the addition of our analysts in key locations, &BLOOM is well-equipped to provide on-the-ground support, ensuring a more hands-on, localized approach to ESG integration.
As we continue to support companies in carbon footprint assessments and developing reduction pathways to net zero, we’re delighted to share some exciting news: &BLOOM Sustainability & ESG has officially become a Member of the Carbon Accounting Alliance (CAA)! The CAA is a coalition of over 500 organizations collectively representing more than 85,000 company carbon footprints. It is a mixture of software companies, consultancies, auditors, in-house sustainability managers, standards bodies and independent professionals who have come together to collaborate on solving challenges faced by our industry, to share best practice and promote the development of robust standards. We are thrilled to join this global movement and look forward to contributing to meaningful progress toward a sustainable future.
An ESG policy is a critical first step in embarking on your organisation’s sustainability journey. It establishes the foundation for understanding why ESG is integral to your operations, how it is implemented, and who is responsible for driving and managing these efforts. At &BLOOM, we provide a tailored ESG policy that focuses on three fundamental elements: Approach, Purpose, and Integration. • Approach: We guide you in embedding ESG considerations into your decision-making and operations, tailored to your industry’s unique challenges. • Purpose: We help clarify the broader impact of your ESG initiatives, aligning with global standards like the UN SDGs, ISSB/IFRS Sustainability Standards and CSRD/ASRS to drive meaningful change. • Integration: We ensure ESG is seamlessly integrated into your processes, from strategy to reporting, for sustainable growth and regulatory compliance. Through tailored workshops, we work alongside your team to develop a comprehensive ESG strategy that not only meets regulatory requirements but also delivers strategic, sustainable value. A robust ESG policy is essential for managing risk, ensuring compliance, and strengthening your organisation's reputation with stakeholders. It lays the groundwork for long-term value creation and positions your organisation as a leader in sustainability.
Sustainability and ESG are extremely broad topics, encompassing a wide range of environmental, social, and governance issues that can vary significantly across industries. To navigate this complexity, a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) is essential for identifying the priority ESG topics that are most relevant to your business. The DMA helps to understand both the impact your organisation has on the world and how ESG factors affect your financial performance, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainability. At &BLOOM, we guide you through a thorough DMA process, building on the core elements of impact, risks, and opportunities to assess the materiality of ESG factors for your organisation: • Impact: We help you identify and evaluate the environmental, social, and governance impacts your business has on stakeholders and the environment. This understanding is crucial for aligning with global sustainability goals, such as the UN SDGs, ISSB/IFRS Sustainability Standards, and CSRD/ASRS. • Financial Materiality: We assess how ESG factors influence your business’s financial performance and long-term resilience, identifying material issues that could impact stakeholder value and strategic growth. A well-conducted DMA forms the foundation for a strong ESG strategy, enabling your organisation to prioritise the most relevant issues and integrate them into decision-making. Through tailored workshops, we collaborate with your team to identify key ESG risks and opportunities, guiding you to a more focused and effective approach to sustainability. By conducting a DMA, you not only ensure compliance but also gain the insights needed to build a robust ESG strategy that drives long-term value, mitigates risks, and positions your organisation as a leader in sustainability.
Navigating the complex landscape of regulatory compliance for sustainability and ESG reporting can be challenging. Whether you're managing compliance with Australia’s ASRS, New Zealand’s CRD, or the European Union’s CSRD, &BLOOM provides expert guidance to ensure your organisation meets all relevant regulatory requirements. Our comprehensive support helps you align with national and international sustainability reporting standards, ensuring transparency and consistency in your ESG disclosures. We work with you to understand the specific regulations and requirements that impact your organisation, offering tailored solutions to ensure compliance and mitigate risks. • ASRS (Australian Sustainable Reporting Standards): We help you navigate Australia’s evolving reporting landscape, ensuring compliance with the ASRS and providing clarity on the key disclosure requirements. • NZ CRD (New Zealand Climate-related Disclosures): Our team guides you through New Zealand’s climate-related disclosures, ensuring your organisation is aligned with the latest CRD regulations, and helps you report on climate risks and opportunities effectively. • EU CSRD (European Union Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive): We assist organisations in meeting the comprehensive reporting standards of the CSRD, from identifying material sustainability topics to preparing transparent, high-quality reports. Our approach ensures that your organisation not only meets regulatory requirements but also enhances its sustainability performance through accurate, reliable, and consistent reporting. With &BLOOM’s expert support, you can confidently navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance and turn ESG requirements into a strategic advantage.
In collaboration with our partners, &BLOOM delivers bespoke training offerings to help you build the capabilities to effectively embed ESG in strategy. These expert-led programs are tailored to your organization's unique needs, ensuring that your team is equipped with the knowledge, tools, and insights required to navigate the complexities of ESG. • ESG Strategy Seed - Join expert Instructors, Alexander Horton and Sydney Straver, in an immersive experience and gain the skills required to create and launch an ESG strategy - fundamental skills to any job-role in climate and sustainability! Self-paced available at $97 AUD (excl. GST) and cohort learning available at $397 AUD (excl. GST). • ESG Stream - The ESG Stream is an exclusive program designed to help organisations develop actionable strategies across all ESG pillars, aligning with the latest regulatory frameworks, stakeholder expectations, and global sustainability standards. Affordable entry to crafting an ESG strategy at $3000 AUD (excl. GST).
Understanding and managing climate risk is essential for organisations aiming for long-term resilience and regulatory compliance. &BLOOM provides comprehensive Climate Risk Assessment services that align with ISSB and TCFD requirements, covering all four key pillars: Governance, Risk Management, Strategy, and Metrics & Targets. This includes scenario analysis and the measurement of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. We guide your organisation through the complexities of assessing climate-related risks and opportunities while ensuring alignment with global frameworks and standards. Our services provide clarity on how climate change impacts your operations and how to strategically address those impacts. • Governance: We help you establish effective governance structures to oversee climate-related risks and opportunities, ensuring accountability and alignment with your organisation’s sustainability objectives. • Risk Management: We support you in identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks across your value chain, ensuring integration with your broader risk management processes. • Strategy: We assist in embedding climate risks and opportunities into your organisation’s strategic planning, ensuring your business is prepared for both short- and long-term climate challenges. • Metrics & Targets: We work with you to define appropriate metrics and set ambitious, measurable targets for managing and reducing emissions. This includes the measurement and reporting of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, ensuring comprehensive climate disclosures. In addition, we perform scenario analysis to assess how various climate-related scenarios—such as regulatory changes, market shifts, and extreme weather events—might impact your organisation, helping you make informed decisions and build long-term resilience. Our approach ensures that your climate risk disclosures are in full compliance with ISSB and TCFD standards, providing transparent, consistent, and reliable information for investors, regulators, and other stakeholders. Through tailored workshops and ongoing support, &BLOOM works closely with your team to integrate these four key pillars into your decision-making processes, ensuring your climate risk assessments and disclosures are comprehensive and strategically aligned with your long-term goals. With &BLOOM, you can confidently manage climate risks, set measurable targets, and position your organisation for success in a rapidly evolving regulatory and environmental landscape.
ESG factors are now a critical consideration throughout the deal process, making ESG due diligence essential for any successful merger or acquisition (M&A). In today's investment landscape, stakeholders—investors, customers, and the public—are increasingly focused on a company's social and environmental licence to operate, holding businesses accountable for managing ESG risks and capitalising on ESG opportunities. At &BLOOM, we offer expert ESG due diligence support using a comprehensive four-step framework to help investors navigate the complexities of ESG in the M&A process. Our Four-Step ESG Due Diligence Framework: • Industry Exposure: We assess the target’s industry exposure to ESG risks and opportunities. By understanding the broader ESG landscape within the target’s industry, we help you identify specific challenges and opportunities that may impact the business’s performance, value, and long-term sustainability. • Materiality Assessment: Our materiality assessment identifies and prioritises the ESG issues most relevant to the target business. We ensure these align with both the target’s sector and your investment goals, helping to establish which ESG factors are most likely to affect financial performance and strategic positioning. • Performance on Material ESG Topics: We evaluate the target’s performance on key material ESG topics, reviewing existing ESG governance structures, policies, and performance. This includes comparing the target’s ESG practices to industry standards and best practices, enabling you to assess their ESG maturity and uncover any potential gaps or risks. • Strategic Priority Projects & 100-Day Action Plan: Based on the insights gathered, we help develop strategic priority projects to address key ESG issues. This includes creating a 100-day action plan post-acquisition, outlining the immediate steps to integrate ESG considerations into operations, governance, and strategy, ensuring that ESG is effectively managed from day one. Post-transaction Support: We continue to support companies after the deal is finalised by helping them leverage synergies, implement a robust ESG strategy, and capitalise on ESG opportunities. By establishing systems to track and measure both financial and non-financial impacts, we ensure that your investment is fully aligned with sustainability goals and protected against the risk of “greenwashing,” maximising its overall value. With our four-step ESG due diligence framework, you can identify key ESG risks, uncover value-driven opportunities, and make more informed investment decisions—ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of your M&A transaction.
A Carbon Footprint Assessment is an essential tool for understanding the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with your organisation’s activities. By identifying and quantifying emissions across all scopes—Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from electricity use), and Scope 3 (indirect emissions across the value chain)—this assessment provides a comprehensive overview of your environmental impact. At &BLOOM, we offer tailored Carbon Footprint Assessments designed to help your business measure, track, and reduce its carbon emissions, aligning with global sustainability standards and best practices. Through a detailed analysis, we identify key areas where emissions can be reduced, helping you develop strategies to lower your carbon footprint and achieve your climate-related goals. Our Carbon Footprint Assessment services include: • Comprehensive Emissions Mapping: We provide a detailed analysis of your organisation’s emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3, considering all aspects of your operations, from direct energy consumption to supply chain and product lifecycle emissions. • Data-Driven Insights: Our team uses the latest methodologies and tools to collect and analyse emissions data, ensuring an accurate assessment that aligns with recognised reporting frameworks, including the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064. • Reduction Strategy Development: Based on the results of the assessment, we work with you to identify emission reduction opportunities and develop a tailored strategy to minimise your carbon footprint. This can include energy efficiency measures, renewable energy options, and optimising supply chain practices. • Actionable Reporting: We provide clear, actionable reports that outline your current emissions profile, reduction opportunities, and a roadmap for future emissions reduction. These reports can be used for internal decision-making, investor communications, and compliance with regulations like the EU Taxonomy, CSRD, or local environmental reporting requirements. By conducting a Carbon Footprint Assessment, you not only meet regulatory and compliance requirements but also enhance your sustainability strategy, improve operational efficiencies, and bolster your organisation’s reputation with customers and stakeholders. Additionally, a well-managed carbon footprint is a key component of your overall Climate Risk Assessment and ESG strategy, helping you future-proof your business in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
Effective ESG Reporting is crucial for showcasing your organisation’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and long-term value creation. At &BLOOM, we help businesses create comprehensive ESG reports that not only meet regulatory requirements but also highlight the positive impact of your ESG initiatives and align with global best practices. Our 5-step approach ensures that your ESG report is data-driven, strategically aligned, and relevant to stakeholders. Through clear, measurable insights, we help you effectively communicate your ESG performance, risks, and opportunities, providing a roadmap for continuous improvement. Our 5-Step ESG Reporting Approach: 1. Market and Value Chain Analysis - We begin by assessing key ESG-related market developments across your value chain. This includes identifying relevant trends, emerging regulations, and industry-specific challenges that could impact your business’s sustainability efforts. 2. Competitor ESG Maturity Assessment - Next, we evaluate the ESG maturity of your competitors using publicly available data. This highlights their initiatives, positioning your company to stay ahead of industry standards and identify opportunities for differentiation. 3. Material Topic Identification - We then identify material ESG topics based on actual and adverse impacts on the planet and society. This process ensures that the report focuses on the most relevant issues that will impact your stakeholders, strategy, and long-term success. 4. Performance Disclosure on Material Impact Areas - We provide clear, concise reporting on your performance in material impact areas, showcasing specific initiatives, key performance indicators (KPIs), and outcomes. This demonstrates how your company is addressing the most pressing ESG issues and tracking progress over time. 5. Strategic ESG Priorities Formalisation - Finally, we help you formalise strategic ESG priorities within your business plan, ensuring that ESG goals are directly aligned with value creation. This step highlights where sustainability efforts can drive both environmental impact and business growth, helping you build a stronger competitive edge. Through our tailored ESG reporting services, we empower you to build trust with stakeholders, enhance your corporate reputation, and drive long-term success. Our reports are designed to not only meet regulatory obligations but also serve as powerful communication tools that reflect your organisation's dedication to sustainable growth and responsible business practices.
Our ESG Strategy Workshops provide an in-depth, collaborative approach to addressing your organisation’s most pressing ESG challenges. Through a deep dive into each of your company’s key material ESG topics, we help you develop a comprehensive, actionable strategy that aligns with your sustainability goals and business priorities. In these workshops, we guide you and your team through a structured process to evaluate the most critical ESG issues affecting your organisation. By focusing on the specific risks and opportunities tied to your industry, we create a detailed roadmap that outlines clear actions to enhance your performance in each key area. Our ESG Strategy Workshops Include: • Identification of the most material ESG topics for your business, based on industry-specific risks and the adverse impacts your operations may have on the environment and society. This ensures we focus on the areas that matter most to your stakeholders. • A deep-dive analysis of each material ESG theme, exploring how they impact your business. We assess your current performance, identify gaps, and outline the potential risks and opportunities associated with each topic. • Development of a detailed ESG roadmap, including both short-term and long-term actions designed to improve performance in each key area. This roadmap serves as a clear, actionable guide for your team to follow. • Prioritisation of actions based on urgency and impact, with clear KPIs to track progress and ensure alignment with your overall business strategy. This ensures that your ESG initiatives are well-defined and measurable. • Alignment of your ESG strategy with your broader business objectives, helping you achieve sustainable growth while addressing ESG risks and creating value for both the environment and your company. Our ESG Strategy Workshops provide your organisation with the tools, insights, and roadmap needed to implement a meaningful ESG strategy. These workshops foster collaboration across departments, empower leadership to drive change, and ensure your company is well-positioned to meet current and future sustainability challenges.
Our Competitor Benchmarking service offers a comprehensive analysis of your key competitors, helping you understand where your organisation stands in relation to industry peers. By benchmarking 10-15 competitors of your choice based on publicly available data and relevant databases, we provide a clear view of their ESG performance and identify opportunities for your business to outpace the competition. Through this service, we focus on offering actionable insights that help you strengthen your ESG strategy and position your business as a leader in your industry. Our Competitor Benchmarking Service Includes: • Benchmarking of 10-15 competitors based on publicly available data and relevant databases, providing a clear comparison of ESG performance across critical areas such as governance, environmental impact, social responsibility, and sustainability initiatives. • Creation of detailed one-pagers for each competitor, summarising key ESG performance metrics and initiatives, allowing you to gain a quick, high-level understanding of their strategies and outcomes. • A thorough comparison of your company’s ESG performance against competitors, highlighting areas where you excel and identifying gaps where improvement is needed. • Actionable next steps for your business, offering targeted recommendations to improve your ESG performance and strategically position your company as a leader in sustainability within your industry. Our Competitor Benchmarking service helps you gain valuable insights into industry trends and best practices, enabling your business to stay ahead of the curve and drive meaningful change. By leveraging these insights, you can strengthen your ESG strategy, maximise value creation, and improve your competitive position in the market.
Our Impact Assessment service helps you understand how your organisation’s core business activities translate into meaningful positive outcomes for society and the planet. By using recognised frameworks such as IRIS+, SDGs, and the Impact Project Management Framework, we assess both the positive and negative impacts of your operations. This comprehensive approach allows you to strategically enhance your impact, reduce harm, and align with global sustainability goals. Our Impact Assessment Service Includes: • IRIS+ Framework: We leverage this leading impact measurement tool to evaluate the social, environmental, and financial outcomes of your business activities. This framework provides a standardised, rigorous approach to assess the effectiveness of your efforts in achieving measurable positive impact. • SDG Alignment: We assess your business activities in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identifying where your operations contribute to these global objectives and where improvements can be made to maximise your alignment with the SDGs. • Impact Project Management Framework: Using this holistic framework, we map out your organisation’s core business activities to understand their direct and indirect impacts on society and the environment. We then identify ways to optimise positive outcomes while mitigating negative consequences. • A clear, data-driven understanding of how your business activities impact the planet and society, both positively and negatively, empowering you to make more informed decisions and align with best practices in impact management. • Strategic recommendations for enhancing positive impact and reducing negative effects, helping your business maximise its value while contributing to global sustainability goals. Our Impact Assessment service provides a comprehensive view of your organisation’s contributions to societal and environmental outcomes, helping you reduce harm and drive meaningful, positive change. By aligning your activities with recognised frameworks, you can optimise your impact, strengthen your ESG strategy, and demonstrate your commitment to sustainability in a measurable, effective way.
Our Strategic Deep-Dive Assessments provide a thorough exploration of one key material aspect of your business, allowing you to focus on a specific area with high potential for positive impact. Whether it’s developing a Net Zero Strategy, quantifying Biodiversity Impact, or enhancing your Talent Diversity and Inclusion Management, we work with you to dive deep into the topic, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop a clear, actionable plan for progress. Our Strategic Deep-Dive Assessments Include: • In-depth analysis of a key material topic: We focus on one critical area that aligns with your organisation’s sustainability and business goals, whether it’s carbon emissions reduction, biodiversity preservation, or workforce diversity and inclusion. This focused approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future opportunities. • Tailored insights and recommendations: We provide a detailed examination of your existing strategy, performance, and practices in the selected area. Based on this, we offer actionable insights and recommendations to improve and refine your approach, ensuring you maximise impact and align with best practices. • Benchmarking against industry standards and best practices: By comparing your current efforts with industry leaders, we help identify areas where you can accelerate progress, enhance innovation, and position yourself as a leader in sustainability. • Strategic roadmap development: We collaborate with you to develop a detailed, step-by-step roadmap for enhancing performance in the chosen area. This roadmap is aligned with your broader ESG strategy and includes clear milestones, KPIs, and timelines to track progress. • Dedicated expertise: Our team brings specialised knowledge and experience in key areas such as net zero planning, biodiversity, and diversity and inclusion, ensuring your assessment is grounded in the latest trends, regulatory requirements, and best practices. Our Strategic Deep-Dive Assessments allow you to focus on a critical ESG topic with the potential to drive meaningful change. With tailored insights, industry benchmarking, and a clear action plan, we help you enhance your strategy and achieve impactful, sustainable outcomes.
Our Net Zero Roadmaps provide a clear, actionable strategy to help your organisation achieve carbon neutrality. We guide you through the entire process, from understanding your carbon footprint to setting realistic targets and implementing the necessary changes to reach net zero emissions. Our Net Zero Roadmap Service Includes: • Comprehensive Carbon Footprint Assessment: We begin by measuring your organisation’s current emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 to gain a detailed understanding of your carbon footprint. This forms the foundation for setting your net zero targets. • Target Setting and Strategy Development: Working closely with your team, we help define science-based targets aligned with global standards such as the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). We then develop a strategic roadmap to achieve these targets, identifying the actions and timelines needed for success. • Emission Reduction Pathways: We identify and prioritise emission reduction opportunities across your operations, supply chain, and products, considering the best available technologies and strategies. This includes energy efficiency measures, renewable energy adoption, and carbon offsetting. • Stakeholder Engagement and Buy-in: Achieving net zero requires commitment from all levels of the organisation. We support you in engaging key stakeholders, from leadership to employees, ensuring alignment and building internal support for your carbon neutrality goals. • Monitoring and Reporting Framework: We establish robust systems for monitoring progress against your net zero targets, ensuring transparent and accurate reporting. This includes integrating your net zero roadmap into your broader ESG reporting and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. • Ongoing Support and Adaptation: The journey to net zero is dynamic, and we provide ongoing guidance to adapt the roadmap as needed, ensuring your organisation remains on track even as technologies, regulations, and market conditions evolve. Our Net Zero Roadmaps are designed to set you on a clear, actionable path to carbon neutrality, helping you reduce emissions, enhance sustainability, and demonstrate leadership in climate action. With a tailored, comprehensive approach, we ensure your strategy is grounded in science, aligned with global targets, and feasible for your organisation.
Helping investors and businesses surf the green wave in Australia & New Zealand. Our mission is clear: to assist investors and businesses in seizing opportunities where Sustainability & ESG and value creation coincide – striving for a future where investors can allocate finance sustainably, and businesses can grow in a nature-positive and socially responsible manner.
Serviceable Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Europe