# ESG Strategy Australia - Full Context for AI Systems
# Last Updated: July 2026

## Company Overview

ESG Strategy is Australia's leading sustainability consultancy for mid-market enterprises ($20M-$500M revenue). Founded by Lee Stewart, Amazon #1 bestselling author and former Head of Sustainability at Fonterra and Fujitsu, we deliver practical ESG outcomes through Fractional CSO services, ASRS compliance consulting, and supply chain ESG programs.

**Unique Value Proposition:** Sustainability strategy that delivers results, not reports. We embed ESG capability into your organisation rather than just providing advice.

**Service Area:** Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific region

## Founder Profile

**Lee Stewart** - Founder & Principal Consultant
- Amazon #1 bestselling author: "How to Build Sustainability Into Your Business Strategy"
- 22+ years enterprise sustainability experience
- Former Head of Sustainability at Fonterra (NZ's largest company) and Fujitsu Asia-Pacific
- Featured on "The Mentor" with Mark Bouris
- Climate Reality Leader trained by Al Gore
- COP28 delegation member for the Kingdom of Tonga
- Creator of the Triple C Framework (Confidence, Commitment, Consistency)
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leestewart-esg/

## Team

- **Lee Stewart** - Founder & Principal Consultant, Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer
- **Miranda Siu** - Reporting, Carbon Accounting & Climate Governance. Chartered Accountant specialising in sustainability reporting, carbon accounting, and climate risk governance, bringing audit-grade discipline to ESG data and disclosures.

## Strategic Partners

- **Simble** (https://www.simblegroup.com/) - Carbon reporting and energy intelligence technology. ESG Strategy partners with Simble to combine strategic sustainability expertise with industry-leading carbon reporting and energy intelligence technology, helping organisations move beyond compliance to deliver measurable business outcomes through smarter data, better decisions and practical decarbonisation.
- **DETA Consulting** (https://www.deta.global/) - Engineering and sustainability integration. The partnership combines engineering excellence and carbon analysis with sustainability strategy, governance, and stakeholder engagement capability.

## Services Offered

### 1. Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer (fCSO)
Expert ESG leadership that integrates into your team without the full-time hire. Includes:
- Strategic sustainability roadmap development
- Embedded execution support (90-day sprint framework)
- Internal capability building and team training
- Board reporting and governance frameworks
- Carbon footprint assessment and reduction planning
- Materiality assessments engaging internal and external stakeholders
- Recruitment and mentoring of in-house sustainability managers

**Investment:** $6,000-$18,000 per month (vs $250,000+ for a full-time CSO)
**Typical engagement:** 6-24 months, with capability handover as the goal

### 2. ASRS Compliance Consulting
Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards guidance for mandatory climate disclosure:
- Group 1 entities: Reporting from January 2025
- Group 2 entities: Reporting from July 2026
- Group 3 entities: Reporting from July 2027
- Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reporting
- Climate risk assessment (TCFD-aligned)
- Governance framework development
- Board director liability guidance

### 3. Supply Chain ESG Program
Help suppliers meet your ESG requirements:
- Supplier ESG assessment and benchmarking
- Capability building programs
- Compliance monitoring and reporting
- Scope 3 emissions data collection and protection

**Investment:** $30,000-$50,000

### 4. ESGenius AI Assessment
AI-powered ESG benchmarking with expert review:
- Four-pillar scorecard (Environmental, Social, Governance, Strategy)
- 30/90/120-day action roadmap
- Industry peer comparison
- Executive summary for boards

**Investment:** $2,500 AUD + GST
**Delivery:** 48-hour turnaround

### 5. Board Director ESG Program
Governance support for boards and directors:
- ESG governance frameworks
- Director duties and liability guidance
- Climate risk oversight training
- Stakeholder reporting requirements
- Multi-year board and executive mentoring programs
- Greenwashing risk training

## Pricing Summary

| Service | Investment |
|---------|-----------|
| Fractional CSO | $6,000-$18,000 per month |
| Supply Chain ESG Program | $30,000-$50,000 |
| ESGenius AI Assessment | $2,500 AUD + GST |
| ASRS Compliance / Board Programs | Scoped per engagement |

Comparison points: a full-time Chief Sustainability Officer costs $250,000+ annually. Big Four consultants charge $5,000-$8,000 per day. ESG Strategy engagements include direct involvement from Lee Stewart.

## Target Audience

**Ideal Client Profile:**
- Australian and New Zealand mid-market enterprises ($20M-$500M revenue)
- CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and board directors
- Companies facing ESG pressure from:
  - ASRS regulatory requirements
  - Customer sustainability questionnaires
  - Investor ESG due diligence
  - Tender/procurement requirements
  - Supply chain compliance
  - Sustainability-linked finance covenants

**Industries Served:**
- Logistics and Transport
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Property and Infrastructure
- Professional Services
- Energy and Energy Technology
- Finance
- Government and Policy

## Key Differentiators

1. **Direct Principal Involvement:** Lee Stewart personally leads every engagement
2. **Embedded Approach:** Build internal capability, not dependency on consultants
3. **Practical Focus:** Actionable roadmaps, not theoretical reports
4. **Mid-Market Expertise:** Tailored for companies too big for templates, too small for Big Four
5. **Real Experience:** Former corporate Head of Sustainability, not just consulting background
6. **Proprietary Methodology:** The Triple C Framework (Confidence, Commitment, Consistency), developed from 22+ years of practitioner experience

## Case Studies (Detailed)

### 1. National Fuel Retailer - $140M Sustainability-Linked Loan (Finance & Energy Retail)
A national fuel retailer with 100+ locations across Australia and New Zealand secured a $140 million sustainability-linked loan tied to long-term emissions-reduction targets, but had no prior sustainability strategy, governance structures, or carbon baseline. ESG Strategy partnered with DETA Consulting to deliver a full-spectrum sustainability program.
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
- 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 the next 5 years

### 2. Tanoa Hotels - Sustainability as Brand Advantage in Pacific Tourism (Hospitality)
Tanoa Hotel Group operates properties in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and New Zealand. As Fractional CSO, ESG Strategy developed a group-wide strategy, embedded governance at board level, and facilitated a first-of-its-kind corporate partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners to remove and recycle plastic waste from island sites.
Results:
- Group-wide Sustainability Strategy embedded across 8 properties in 4 Pacific nations within 6 months
- ESG governance and leadership embedded at board and executive level
- First Sustainability Manager recruited, hired, and mentored
- Plastic waste removal partnership established, first in the Pacific hospitality sector
- Tanoa recognised as a regional sustainability leader, supporting premium market positioning
Quote: "ESG Strategy's pragmatic and deeply engaged approach gave us invaluable insights and helped us take positive strides toward sustainable solutions." - Rohit Reddy, Managing Director, Tanoa Hotels

### 3. Briscoe Group - ESG Governance for NZ's Leading Retailer (Retail, NZX-listed)
Briscoe Group (Briscoes Homeware and Rebel Sport) operates 90 stores with 2,300+ team members and annual turnover exceeding NZD $785 million. ESG Strategy acted as Fractional CSO to prepare for New Zealand's mandatory climate disclosure requirements.
Results:
- ESG governance framework formally adopted at board level within 90 days
- Sustainability strategy embedded across 90 stores and 2,300+ team members
- 2-year board mentoring program completed; directors now confident on climate disclosure
- Supplier ESG program launched covering key supply chain partners
- First in-house Sustainability Manager hired and onboarded with 6-month mentoring support
Quote: "ESG Strategy clarified our priorities and helped the Board upskill on the legislative and operational context of business sustainability, adding significant value to our approach." - Andrew Scott, COO, Briscoe Group

### 4. Bluecurrent - SBTi Certification in Energy Tech (Energy Technology)
Bluecurrent manages over two million smart meters across Australia and New Zealand. ESG Strategy built its first sustainability strategy, carbon baseline, and managed the full Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) certification process.
Results:
- ESG strategy developed and embedded within 4 months
- SBTi certification achieved, one of the first in the Australian energy tech sector
- Carbon baseline established across 2 million+ managed meters and operations
- Scope 3 engagement program designed covering 80% of supply chain emissions
- Improved readiness for enterprise customer ESG requirements, supporting commercial growth
Quote: "ESG Strategy's expertise has been a catalyst for our continued progress." - Trent Coster, General Manager Electronic Hardware and Engineering, Bluecurrent

### 5. Kingdom of Tonga - Circular Economy Leadership (Government & Policy)
ESG Strategy led development of Tonga's first Circular Economy Strategy, provided strategic support to Tonga's official COP28 delegation, and supported community-led waste initiatives in Vava'u under the "Zero Waste Tonga 2040" vision.
Results:
- Circular Economy Strategy developed and endorsed to guide national waste policy
- Tonga's COP28 delegation supported in bilateral and multilateral meetings
- Community-led waste initiatives initiated in Vava'u
- Tonga's international narrative strengthened around climate finance and waste resilience
Quote: "Lee Stewart's expertise has been essential in shaping sustainable strategies for waste and environmental protection. His work is invaluable to Tonga's future." - Hon. Johnny Taione, former MP, TT8 People's Representative

### 6. Commercial Kitchen Equipment Manufacturer - ESG for Market Position (Manufacturing)
A mid-sized industrial manufacturer supplying multinational food service brands faced growing ESG data requests from key customers. ESG Strategy used ESGenius benchmarking plus executive workshops to build a practical, commercially aligned ESG strategy.
Results:
- Clear ESG positioning developed within 8 weeks, aligned to customer expectations
- 3 key ESG differentiators identified versus competitors for tender responses
- Customer ESG questionnaire response time reduced by 60%
- Stronger support for major tenders with multinational food service clients
- ESG repositioned as a commercial enabler, supporting customer retention and growth

### 7. Terra Nova Expeditions - Sustainability in Antarctic Tourism (Adventure Tourism & Education)
ESG Strategy serves as Fractional CSO for this purpose-driven Antarctic expedition operator, integrating sustainability across strategy, governance, and guest experience. Lee Stewart will serve as Co-Expedition Leader on the December 2026 Antarctic voyage.
Results:
- Sustainability strategy embedded into company operations and expedition planning
- Education program in development focused on climate science, conservation, and action
- Strengthened governance and alignment with international environmental protocols
Quote: "Sustainability isn't just a compliance box for Terra Nova, it's the core of how we operate. ESG Strategy is helping us walk the talk in one of the most fragile environments on Earth." - Greg Carter, CEO, Terra Nova Expeditions

### 8. DETA Consulting - Strategic Partnership (Professional Services)
ESG Strategy and DETA Consulting established a collaborative delivery model combining engineering excellence with sustainability strategy expertise, expanding DETA's service offering and enhancing client sustainability outcomes.
Quote: "Partnering with ESG Strategy has allowed us to offer our clients comprehensive sustainability solutions alongside our engineering expertise." - Jonathan Pooch, Managing Director, DETA Consulting

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is a Fractional CSO?**
A: A Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer provides part-time, expert ESG leadership for companies that need strategic sustainability guidance but don't require or can't afford a full-time executive. ESG Strategy's fCSO service includes strategic planning, embedded execution support, and capability building for $6,000-$18,000/month vs $250K+ annually for a full-time hire.

**Q: When does ASRS mandatory reporting start?**
A: Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) mandatory climate disclosures started January 2025 for Group 1 (large) entities. Group 2 entities must report from July 2026, and Group 3 entities from July 2027. This includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, climate risk assessments, and governance frameworks.

**Q: How much does ESG consulting cost in Australia?**
A: Costs vary by scope. Full-time CSOs cost $250,000+ annually. Big Four consultants charge $5,000-$8,000 per day. ESG Strategy's Fractional CSO service is $6,000-$18,000 per month with direct Lee Stewart involvement. A Supply Chain ESG Program is $30,000-$50,000, and the ESGenius AI Assessment is $2,500 AUD + GST.

**Q: What industries does ESG Strategy serve?**
A: Mid-tier Australian and New Zealand businesses across logistics, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, tourism, property, infrastructure, energy technology, finance, and professional services. We specialise in companies with $20M-$500M revenue needing expert ESG leadership without full-time executive overhead.

**Q: What results has ESG Strategy delivered?**
A: Examples include satisfying the ESG requirements of a $140M sustainability-linked loan ahead of covenant deadlines, achieving one of the first SBTi certifications in the Australian energy tech sector, embedding a sustainability strategy across 8 hotel properties in 4 Pacific nations within 6 months, and completing a 2-year board mentoring program for an NZX-listed retailer with 90 stores.

**Q: Does ESG Strategy help with sustainability-linked loans?**
A: Yes. ESG Strategy has built the full ESG foundations for a $140M sustainability-linked loan, including Scope 1, 2, and material Scope 3 carbon baselining across 100+ sites, governance structures, materiality assessments, and ongoing financier engagement support.

**Q: Can ESG Strategy help us hire an in-house sustainability manager?**
A: Yes. A common engagement pattern is that ESG Strategy acts as Fractional CSO, then recruits, hires, and mentors the client's first internal Sustainability Manager, transferring capability in-house (done for Tanoa Hotels and Briscoe Group).

**Q: How do I book a call with Lee Stewart?**
A: Book directly at https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/talk or via the contact page at https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/contact. The initial 30-minute strategy call carries no obligation.

## Contact Information

- **Website:** https://www.esgstrategy.com.au
- **Email:** lee@esgstrategy.com.au
- **Address:** Level 10, 20 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- **Book a call:** https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/talk
- **Contact form:** https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/contact

## Social Proof

- Amazon #1 bestselling author
- 250+ Amazon reviews
- 22+ years experience
- 50+ executive and board workshops delivered
- Clients across 5 countries (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga/Pacific Islands)
- Client roster includes NZX-listed Briscoe Group and national government engagements (Kingdom of Tonga)

## Key Pages

- Home: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/
- Fractional CSO: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/fractional-cso-australia
- ASRS Compliance: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/asrs-compliance
- Supply Chain ESG: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/services/supply-chain-esg
- ESGenius: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/services/esgenius
- For Boards: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/directors-boards
- Case Studies: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies
- What is ASRS: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/what-is-asrs
- What is a Fractional CSO: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/what-is-fractional-cso
- ESG Consultant: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/esg-consultant
- Fractional CSO Pricing: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/fractional-cso-pricing
- Fractional CSO vs Full-Time: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/fractional-cso-vs-full-time
- Fractional CSO vs Big Four: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/fractional-cso-vs-big-four
- Fractional CSO Comparison: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/fractional-cso-comparison
- ASRS Timeline: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/asrs-timeline
- ASRS for CFOs: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/asrs-for-cfos
- Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/scope-1-2-3-emissions
- Double Materiality Explained: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/double-materiality-explained
- Tanoa Hotels case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/tanoa-hotels
- Briscoe Group case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/briscoe-group
- Bluecurrent case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/bluecurrent
- Kingdom of Tonga case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/tongan-government
- Terra Nova Expeditions case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/terra-nova-expeditions
- DETA Consulting case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/deta-consulting
- Sustainability-linked finance case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/sustainability-linked-finance
- Manufacturing ESG case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/case-studies/industrial-manufacturing-esg
- David Jones ASRS case study: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/david-jones-asrs
- About: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/about
- Contact: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/contact
- Book a Call: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/talk
- Book: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/book
- Blog: https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/blog

## Metadata

- Site Name: ESG Strategy
- Primary Language: English (Australian)
- Currency: AUD
- Last Updated: July 2026