ESG solutions for manufacturers
We help manufacturing businesses navigate the energy transition, meet customer sustainability requirements, and build competitive advantage through ESG leadership.
Industry Challenges
Manufacturing businesses face complex ESG pressures across their operations and supply chain
Energy Transition
Rising energy costs and carbon pricing require credible decarbonisation strategies and renewable energy plans.
Circular Economy
Product stewardship requirements and customer expectations for sustainable materials and waste reduction.
Supply Chain ESG Risk
Modern slavery due diligence and supplier ESG requirements from major enterprise customers.
Net Zero Commitments
Pressure from customers, investors and regulators to set and deliver science-based net zero targets.
How We Help
We work with manufacturers to develop practical ESG strategies that deliver business value while meeting stakeholder expectations.
- Carbon footprint measurement (Scope 1, 2, 3)
- Net zero strategy and roadmap development
- Energy efficiency and renewable transition planning
- Circular economy and waste reduction programs
- Modern slavery risk assessment and due diligence
- Customer ESG reporting and compliance
- ASRS climate disclosure readiness
- Board ESG governance frameworks
- Sustainability strategy aligned to commercial goals
Who This Is For
- Manufacturing businesses with $10M–$500M revenue
- Suppliers to major retailers and enterprise customers
- Manufacturers facing energy transition pressure
- Businesses responding to customer ESG questionnaires
- Companies preparing for ASRS climate disclosure
- Manufacturers needing senior sustainability leadership without a full-time CSO
Why a Fractional CSO Works for Manufacturing
Senior sustainability leadership without the cost of a full-time hire
Senior Leadership Without Full-Time Cost
Access experienced CSO-level expertise at $8-15k/month instead of $250k+ for a full-time hire.
Immediate Customer Response
Start responding to customer ESG requirements and decarbonisation requests within weeks.
Enterprise-Ready Outputs
Deliverables designed to meet the scrutiny of enterprise customers, auditors, and regulators.
Flexible Engagement
Scale support as your ESG requirements evolve. No long-term commitment required.
Manufacturing ESG Success Story
Real results for manufacturing businesses facing customer ESG pressure
Using ESG to Strengthen Market Position in Industrial Manufacturing
A mid-sized industrial manufacturer supplying commercial kitchen equipment to large multinational food service and hospitality brands across Australasia with global supply-chain exposure.
The Challenge
Key customers were beginning to request structured ESG and sustainability data, set emissions reduction targets across their supply chains, and embed ESG performance into supplier assessments and tender processes. Without a clear and credible ESG strategy, the business risked being disadvantaged in future customer engagements and tenders. The challenge was not a lack of intent, it was a lack of a clearly articulated ESG strategy aligned to commercial priorities, visibility of how the business compared to peers and key customers, a consistent narrative the leadership team could use in customer discussions, and confidence in responding to increasingly detailed ESG data requests.
Results
- Clear ESG positioning developed within 8 weeks, aligned to customer expectations
- 3 key ESG differentiators identified versus competitors for tender responses
- Confidence increased in responding to customer ESG questionnaires, response time reduced by 60%
- Stronger support for major tenders with multinational food service clients
- Executive alignment achieved across 4 departments on ESG priorities and boundaries
- ESG repositioned as commercial enabler, supporting customer retention and growth
ESG for Australian Manufacturing: The Regulatory Landscape
Australian manufacturers face a rapidly evolving ESG regulatory environment. From July 2026, Group 2 companies (those meeting specific size thresholds) will be required to comply with Australia's new Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS), including mandatory climate-related financial disclosures aligned with the ISSB framework.
For manufacturers, this means measuring and reporting Scope 1 emissions from direct operations, Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity, and increasingly, Scope 3 emissions from supply chains and product use. Companies will also need to conduct climate scenario analysis and disclose transition risks associated with the shift to a low-carbon economy.
Beyond regulatory compliance, manufacturers face growing ESG pressure from enterprise customers in Australia and overseas. Major retailers, distributors, and export markets increasingly require suppliers to demonstrate sustainability credentials, provide emissions data, and show evidence of modern slavery due diligence in their supply chains.
The energy transition presents both challenges and opportunities for Australian manufacturers. Rising electricity costs and the phase-out of coal-fired generation create urgency around energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement. At the same time, decarbonisation investments can reduce operating costs, improve competitiveness, and position businesses to capture emerging opportunities in clean technology and sustainable products.
Related Services
Explore our ESG services for manufacturing businesses
Ready to build your ESG strategy?
Talk to our team about how we help manufacturers develop practical sustainability programs that deliver results.