About the Client
A national fuel retailer with 100+ locations across Australia and New Zealand, operating a vertically integrated business including transport fleet and card services. The company secured a $140 million sustainability-linked loan tied to long-term emissions-reduction targets.
The Challenge
To meet the requirements of its sustainability-linked debt facility, the client needed to build credible ESG foundations from the ground up. With no prior sustainability strategy, governance structures, or carbon baseline in place, the business faced significant pressure to demonstrate genuine capability, not just compliance. Key challenges included establishing a credible Scope 1, 2 and material Scope 3 carbon baseline aligned with loan targets, developing a sustainability strategy that could withstand lender and auditor scrutiny, creating governance structures and reporting frameworks from scratch, engaging stakeholders across a complex, multi-site, vertically integrated operation, and meeting tight timelines tied to loan covenant milestones.
Our Approach
ESG Strategy partnered with DETA Consulting to deliver a full-spectrum sustainability program, combining engineering and carbon analysis expertise with governance, strategy, and stakeholder engagement capability. Our approach included developing the client's first Sustainability Strategy aligned with commercial priorities and lender expectations; establishing a comprehensive carbon emissions baseline covering Scope 1, 2, and material Scope 3 sources across retail, transport, and corporate operations; designing ESG governance structures including board reporting, executive accountability, and cross-functional coordination; conducting a structured materiality assessment engaging internal and external stakeholders; building ESG data infrastructure and reporting systems to track performance against loan targets; and providing ongoing financier engagement support to ensure alignment with lender expectations throughout the process.
Results
- First Sustainability Strategy developed and embedded into business planning within 90 days
- Carbon baseline established across Scope 1, 2, and material Scope 3 sources covering 100+ sites
- $140M sustainability-linked loan requirements satisfied ahead of covenant deadlines
- ESG data infrastructure and reporting readiness significantly improved
- Stakeholder priorities mapped through structured materiality engagement with 25+ stakeholders
- Stronger ESG governance and cross-functional alignment achieved across 5 business units
- Client positioned to meet sustainability-linked loan performance targets for next 5 years