Versent to assist in navigating mandatory climate reporting

From January 2025, Australian enterprises will face mandatory climate reporting requirements under new legislation, marking a significant regulatory shift.

The change requires businesses to disclose their environmental impact in a detailed and structured manner. Versent, a specialist in cloud services, is positioned to help companies manage these new demands, with a focus on cloud-based carbon footprint management and sustainability strategies.

The climate legislation

The new legislation divides reporting into three main categories based on the size of the business:

• Group 1 Reporting applies to large businesses with significant annual revenue or assets. These businesses will be required to provide comprehensive disclosures on climate-related financial risks and their sustainability strategies.

• Group 2 Reporting targets medium-sized businesses. While the requirements are not as stringent as Group 1, they still involve detailed reporting on emissions and sustainability practices.

• Group 3 Reporting is for smaller businesses, focusing on basic climate impact disclosures and carbon management.

These categories will be rolled out throughout 2025, and it is critical for organisations to understand their obligations and ensure they comply.

Cloud computing's role in carbon emissions

Cloud computing has become essential for business operations, providing cost efficiency and scalability.

However, while cloud infrastructure generally has a lower carbon footprint than traditional data centres, it still poses environmental challenges if not optimised effectively. Under the new climate reporting rules, businesses will need to account for and manage cloud-related carbon emissions.

Tim Hope, Chief Technology Officer at Versent, highlighted the growing importance of technology in managing sustainability.

"As Australian enterprises face increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets, the role of technology in achieving these goals has never been more critical," Hope highlighted.

"Cloud computing, while offering immense operational efficiencies, also presents an opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions if optimised correctly."

"Versent's expertise in cloud optimisation, combined with our focus on sustainability, ensures businesses can meet regulatory demands while advancing their environmental objectives," he added.

Versent to help businesses comply

Versent is equipped with a range of solutions designed to support businesses in meeting the new reporting requirements and reducing their carbon footprints.

Comprehensive carbon usage reporting

Versent offers tailored solutions that help organisations monitor and report their carbon usage effectively. Its advanced tools provide detailed data on cloud consumption and associated emissions, enabling businesses to gain valuable insights into their energy use patterns. This information is essential for accurate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, allowing companies to track their progress against sustainability targets.

Rapid cloud adoption

Versent also supports businesses in migrating from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud, a move that can significantly reduce carbon footprints. By utilising cloud-native features such as auto-scaling and infrastructure automation, Versent ensures that companies optimise their resource usage and minimise energy consumption.

Optimising cloud infrastructure

A key factor in reducing emissions is cloud optimisation. Versent offers consulting services that focus on improving the efficiency of cloud environments. By leveraging best practices in cloud architecture, the company helps businesses streamline their resource usage, which in turn lowers both energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Advanced data analytics for emission data

Through advanced data analytics, Versent enables ICT teams to identify patterns and anomalies in emission data, making it easier to optimise cloud resources and reduce environmental impacts.

Sustainability integration

Beyond reporting and infrastructure optimisation, Versent is committed to embedding sustainability into core business strategies. The company works closely with enterprises to develop sustainability goals aligned with ESG requirements. Versent also advises on the adoption of green cloud technologies and renewable energy sources to further reduce carbon footprints.

Continuous improvement and compliance

Climate reporting is not a one-off task but an ongoing commitment. Versent's GreenOps service helps businesses maintain compliance with evolving regulations by providing continuous monitoring and reporting.

The company's expertise ensures that businesses can adapt to regulatory changes while continuously improving their environmental performance.

With mandatory climate reporting legislation set to take effect in Australia in 2025, businesses must prepare to meet these new regulatory challenges.

Versent has stressed they are ready to support companies through this transition, offering tailored cloud solutions for carbon reporting, optimisation, and sustainability integration.