This is an episode from the AICD's new weekly podcast series, Director Download.

Each episode features conversations with policy experts and leading directors to unpack complex governance challenges and deliver practical insights that can be applied in the boardroom. You can listen by searching 'Director Download' in your podcast player, or by clicking the links below:

• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033f7mHnHstKVIekaBMT2Y
• Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/director-download/id1896576074

More about this episode:

Australia's mandatory climate reporting regime has now completed its first cycle, marking one of the most significant changes to corporate reporting in a generation.

For boards, the first wave of reports has provided valuable insights into the practical realities of implementation. Although still in its early stages, the regime is designed to improve the consistency and comparability of climate-related disclosures for investors and other stakeholders. Many entities have encountered challenges around data, governance, capability and cost, highlighting the scale of effort involved in meeting the new requirements.

Joining us to discuss the lessons emerging from year one are Tim Bednall, Partner and Head of the Governance practice at Mallesons, and Dr Eileen Doyle, a non-executive director with several organisations, including Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, one of the entities captured in the first group of reporters.

This conversation explores what boards can learn from the first group of reporters, where many underestimated the scale and complexity of the task, and what those experiences reveal for the organisations that will come within the regime in the years ahead.

We cover:

• (02:00) Has mandatory climate reporting lived up to expectations?

• (02:50) What stood out from the first wave of climate disclosures

• (03:40) Why some boards underestimated the scale of the reporting task

• (05:30) Has mandatory reporting helped improve decision-making?

• (15:00) The key areas of uncertainty still causing confusion for directors

• (18:00) Practical advice for Group 2 and Group 3 organisations

Learn more:

• AICD insights into the early lessons from the first wave of reporters: https://www.aicd.com.au/news-media/research-and-reports/board-insights-australias-first-mandatory-climate-disclosures.html

• Practical guidance for directors overseeing their organisations' disclosures under Australia's mandatory climate reporting laws, by AICD, Deloitte and MinterEllison: https://www.aicd.com.au/risk-management/framework/climate/a-directors-guide-to-mandatory-climate-reporting.html

Join us at the Climate Governance Forum 2026 to explore sustainability reporting and other emerging climate governance issues in greater depth.

Connect:

• Dr Eileen Doyle on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-doyle-9389841a/

• Tim Bednall on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-bednall-b458181b/

• AICD on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/australianinstituteofcompanydirectors/

• Kulja Coulston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulja-coulston/

• Bennett Mason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-mason-10517336/

This episode Director Download was produced on Gadigal land. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society.