Sydney Desalination Plant
To prepare for evolving climate reporting requirements, Sydney Desalination Plant engaged Pangolin Associates to strengthen emissions reporting, prepare for AASB S2 and develop a long-term decarbonisation pathway.
Sydney Desalination Plant is a critical piece of water infrastructure that provides a rainfall-independent source of drinking water for Greater Sydney. The plant plays an important role in ensuring long-term water security while operating within a highly regulated environmental and operational framework.
As climate-related reporting requirements continued to evolve, Sydney Desalination Plant recognised the need to strengthen its governance, emissions reporting and long-term sustainability strategy. It engaged Pangolin Associates to support its preparation for AASB S2 Climate-related Financial Disclosures, improve the quality and assurance readiness of its greenhouse gas reporting, and develop a practical decarbonisation pathway aligned with its operational and strategic objectives.
Why Pangolin Associates?
Sydney Desalination Plant selected Pangolin for our technical expertise in ESG, greenhouse gas accounting and climate reporting, combined with a practical understanding of operational infrastructure and regulatory requirements. The team worked collaboratively with both operational and executive stakeholders, delivering implementation-focused advice that integrated governance, emissions management and decarbonisation into a single, cohesive program.
Building on Existing Foundations
Prior to engagement, Sydney Desalination Plant had already established strong environmental management systems, governance processes and full-scope greenhouse gas reporting.
As a major infrastructure asset, sustainability is embedded in their operations through 100% renewable electricity, climate risk management, emissions reduction and transparent reporting. These initiatives demonstrate a long-term commitment to improving operational efficiency while steadily reducing emissions.
Pangolin built on these foundations by strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing reporting processes and supporting the development of a more strategic, long-term approach to climate risk and decarbonisation.
Outcomes
Working together, Sydney Desalination Plant developed an integrated ESG governance framework that improved oversight of sustainability initiatives and strengthened Board visibility of climate risks and performance. It also enhanced the quality of greenhouse gas data management and reporting controls, increasing readiness for AASB S2 Climate-related Financial Disclosures and future assurance requirements.
A long-term decarbonisation roadmap was established to support Sydney Desalination Plant’s Net Zero ambitions while creating stronger alignment between operational planning, climate risk management and external reporting. These improvements have positioned Sydney Desalination Plant to respond confidently to evolving regulatory requirements while embedding sustainability into strategic decision-making.
Looking Ahead
Sydney Desalination Plant continues to build on this work through a range of future sustainability initiatives. These include developing a sustainable procurement framework to improve supplier performance, increase supply chain transparency and support the achievement of Sydney Desalination Plant’s sustainable procurement and ESG objectives.
Looking ahead, Sydney Desalination Plant also plans to review and refresh its long-term ESG strategy, begin implementing key initiatives, and continue progressing its pathway to Net Zero.
Broader Impact
Beyond compliance, these initiatives are helping support the long-term security of water security for Greater Sydney. They also contribute to Australia’s transition to a lower-carbon economy, improve the climate resilience of critical infrastructure, and support responsible resource management and environmental stewardship.
By embedding sustainability into governance and operational decision-making, Sydney Desalination Plant is creating long-term environmental and business value while delivering more resilient outcomes for Sydney.
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