Supplier Readiness for Mandatory Climate Reporting: What SMEs Need to Know

Written by Ascentium Content Team | 25 September 2025

With mandatory climate reporting being phased in in Australia, large companies will soon have to disclose their climate-related risks and impacts in line with international standards such as the ISSB’s IFRS S2. But it’s not just the large enterprises that are affected. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their supply chains, this change isn’t optional background noise; it is a direct business imperative.

If you’re an SME that supplies goods or services to ASX-listed or large private companies, you’ll increasingly be asked to provide ESG data, which is everything from electricity invoices to waste logs to workforce diversity information. The reality is that your clients can’t meet their reporting obligations without you.

And that means that if you can’t provide the information to your client, they will need to source their services elsewhere.

Why this matters for SMEs

Until now, ESG reporting has often felt like the domain of multinationals and listed corporates. But under the new framework, supply chain transparency is non-negotiable.

Revenue at risk: If you can’t provide data, you risk being excluded from tenders or even losing existing contracts.
Competitive pressure: Early adopters that can show credible ESG performance gain an edge against peers who delay.
Procurement shifts: Large companies are integrating ESG factors into sourcing decisions, making sustainability a standard part of doing business.

A recent UNSW analysis notes that these reporting requirements will create “flow-through obligations” for thousands of smaller firms. In other words, you don’t have to meet the reporting thresholds yourself to feel their impact.

What data will be needed?

Enterprise clients will look for ESG data that covers at least these areas

Emissions & energy use: Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with Scope 3 data where relevant, supported by electricity and fuel invoices.
Resource efficiency: Water consumption, waste generation, recycling practices.
Social responsibility: Workforce demographics, health and safety records, Indigenous engagement, modern slavery compliance.
Governance: Codes of conduct, anti-corruption policies, risk registers, and ESG oversight mechanisms.

Much of this information already exists in your business. It’s sitting in invoices, HR policies, or supplier contracts. The challenge is organising it into a form that meets reporting standards.

How InCorp helps SMEs get ready

InCorp Advisory’s Supplier ESG Readiness Program is designed to translate complex sustainability requirements into practical business processes. Through a four-phase approach, SMEs build the systems and confidence needed to support enterprise clients and stay competitive:

Assessment & Gap Analysis – Benchmark current ESG maturity, identify compliance gaps against ISSB and Modern Slavery standards, and assess supply chain risks.
Data Availability & Readiness – Set up systems to measure and track emissions, resource use, labour practices, and governance data.
Reporting & Assurance – Develop supplier ESG reports, prepare modern slavery statements, and align disclosures to international frameworks.
Improvement & Roadmap – Establish targets, strengthen policies, and build long-term ESG capability.

This progression ensures SMEs move from basic compliance to competitive advantage, positioning themselves as trusted partners in enterprise supply chains

The business opportunity

Mandatory climate reporting is sometimes framed as a compliance burden. But for SMEs, it’s equally a chance to:

Differentiate in crowded markets.
Strengthen client relationships with enterprise buyers.
Win new contracts by demonstrating readiness ahead of peers.
Future-proof operations as sustainability expectations continue to rise.

Getting started

For SMEs, the question is no longer if ESG data will be required, but when. Early action allows you to align with procurement standards, safeguard revenue, and build stronger governance practices before the pressure escalates.

At InCorp, we work with SMEs across industries to simplify this transition. From electricity bills to emissions targets, we help you transform scattered data into credible reporting that keeps your business in the game.

Mandatory climate reporting will reshape supplier expectations in Australia. The SMEs that thrive will be those ready to deliver.