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22 September 2008

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – ACCA AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AWARDS

ACCA (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is calling for nominations for their annual Sustainability Reporting Awards.

The awards, which are the biggest of its kind in Australasia, reward companies for excellence in environmental, social and sustainability reporting. Companies are judged based on transparency in their reporting and how well they communicate their sustainability performance to their target audiences. Entries for the 2008 awards close 30 March 2009.

While Australia still lags behind international standards (currently 30% of Australian organisations are preparing sustainability reports, compared to 45% for the rest of the developed world), ACCA has seen a marked improvement in the standard of sustainability reports.*

“Last year we saw a 39% increase in entrants, so organisations are starting to take this type of reporting seriously. With the first emission and energy thresholds applicable on July 1 this year, and a second threshold change on July 1 next year, organisations can no longer ignore the need to prepare this type of reporting.

“The carbon emission trading scheme which starts July 2010 will only increase interest in these awards,” says Michaela Campbell, head of ACCA Australia and New Zealand.

The 2008 winners will be announced at the Australian and New Zealand Awards for Sustainability Reporting conference in July 2009. The judges for the awards include Dr. Ian Woods, senior research analyst for AMP Capital Investors, Chris Schulz, partner with AAR, Francis Grey, research director with SAM Group, Professor Carol Adams, Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Development Strategy and Deputy Dean at LaTrobe University, Professor Craig Deegan, Professor of Accounting and Director of Research at RMIT and Simon O’Connor, economic advisor for the Australian Conservation Foundation..

Categories include:

Best Sustainability Report
Best Report in the Financial Services Sector
Best Report in the Property Sector
Best Report in the Public Sector
Best Report in the Water Sector
Best SME Report
Best Early Reporter
Best Local Report from a Global Organisation
Best Supply Chain and Product Stewardship Reporting

Further information on the awards and the 2007 winners can be found on the ACCA website www.accaglobal.com/australia

*Sustainability Reporting: A Guide by KPMG www.kpmg.com.au

#ENDS