ASX firms more carbon clear

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VicSuper’s carbon report card found the number of Australian listed companies publicly and adequately detailing their carbon footprint rose five per cent to 30 per cent in a year.

The VicSuper Carbon Count 2008 found the quality of carbon reporting had improved with 34 per cent reporting emissions in-line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a one per cent increase on the previous year’s analysis.

Textile, apparel & luxury goods, airlines, electric utilities and media industries all disclosed their carbon footprint for the first time.

ASX 200 companies emit 243 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions globally, representing 42 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, the report found.

If companies were forced to pay $20 for every tonne of greenhouse gas emitted, it would cost more than $4.8 billion in total.

Bob Welsh, VicSuper chief executive, said the number of companies reporting carbon emissions is pleasing but more needs to be done.

“The challenge now for corporate Australia is to eliminate these costs through innovative design and process improvements,” he said.

VicSuper, with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, use Trucost to analyse carbon disclosure in ASX listed companies.

Representing more than 235,000 members and over $6 billion in funds under management, VicSuper members receive a carbon emission measurement of their superannuation investments alongside their account balance.

By Michael Hobbs