NBN Co tops sustainability ranking in southern hemisphere index

NBN Co has been recognised as Australia's most sustainable public sector corporation and ranked highest in the southern hemisphere in the 2025 Corporate Knights Global 25 Most Sustainable Public Sector Corporations in the World index.

Corporate Knights, a media and investment research firm, evaluated public sector companies across the globe with at least $1 billion in sales and required the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions as a criterion for inclusion.

NBN Co achieved 16th position globally in the index, with Corporate Knights crediting the company's sustainable investments, issuance of Green Bonds, and its programs to foster inclusivity and diversity in the workforce as key factors in its ranking.

Scoring for the ranking was based on 12 sustainability indicators, which assessed the social and environmental impact of company operations, revenues, and investments.

Among the performance metrics, NBN Co achieved a score of 85.7% in sustainable investment, 91.6% for gender diversity at the executive management level, and 99.8% gender diversity representation on its Board of Directors.

These scores were calculated by comparing NBN Co's data against other public sector companies included in the Corporate Knights index.

Stephen Smith, Executive General Manager, Safety, Wellbeing and Sustainability at NBN Co, said: "The nbn network is critical digital infrastructure which carries over 80% of the nation's data and supports the needs of more than 20 million people every day.

"Through ongoing investments in delivering a faster, more sustainable and resilient network, NBN Co is helping drive the nation's productivity and, as a result, delivering important economic and social impacts to communities across Australia. We are proud to have our sustainability results recognised by Corporate Knights. This is a positive endorsement of our efforts to expand the use of renewable energy sources, invest in energy efficiency and focus on creating a diverse and inclusive workplace."

Toby Heaps, Chief Executive Officer at Corporate Knights, commented: "NBN Co's inclusion in the Public 25 Most Sustainable Corporations reflects its commitment to advancing sustainable connectivity through strategic investments in network expansion and renewable energy integration, setting a benchmark for telecom providers globally."

NBN Co has adopted a Board-endorsed Climate Transition Plan, which sets out goals for energy efficiency, renewable energy usage, and carbon reduction. These targets are aligned with the Australian Federal Government's commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The company has established a Sustainability Bond Framework, supporting the issuance of Green, Social, and Sustainability Bonds (GSS Bonds), and holds approximately $7.4 billion equivalent of Green Bonds in domestic and international markets, making it the largest Australian corporate issuer in this format.

All proceeds from the company's Green Bond issuances have been allocated entirely to eligible projects focused on energy efficiency and environmental goals, in accordance with NBN Co's Sustainability Bond Framework.

NBN Co's target to purchase 100% renewable electricity from December 2025 is supported by its membership in RE100, a global renewable energy initiative featuring more than 400 large businesses worldwide. To advance this objective, the company has signed three Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), with two currently operational.

NBN Co has also implemented policies and initiatives to support the diverse needs of its workforce. The company has established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) covering Gender Equity, First Nations, LGBTIQ+, Cultural Diversity, and Accessibility, with each group sponsored by an Executive Leader.

The company aims for 40% female representation in management roles and offers policies to support this goal, such as a universal Parental Leave policy and flexible working options accessible to all genders.