Essential ESG

As Australia’s data centre market accelerates, the infrastructure underpinning AI is rapidly becoming one of the most complex ESG challenges facing businesses today. In this special episode of Essential ESG, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Louise Camenzuli explore the intersection of energy demand, water constraints, planning frameworks and social licence – and what it means for organisations investing in, or relying on, this critical infrastructure. As regulatory expectations evolve and scrutiny intensifies, the discussion highlights why responsible growth will depend not just on scale, but on governance, transparency and long-term system planning. Essential ESG is a podcast series presented by Corrs that breaks down topical issues affecting the rapidly evolving environmental, social and governance landscape in Australia and beyond.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn‑Pope is joined by Caroline Marshall to explore Australia’s new Scams Prevention Framework and its implications across the financial services, telecommunications and digital platform sectors. Phoebe and Caroline discuss why scams have become a pervasive and systemic issue in Australia, and why the Government has adopted a new “whole‑of‑ecosystem” regulatory approach that goes beyond traditional bank‑centric models seen in other jurisdictions. The conversation examines key features of the regime, including the reasonable steps obligation, the allocation of regulatory oversight across the ACCC, ASIC and ACMA, and the emerging dispute resolution model. It concludes with practical guidance for organisations preparing for the new regime, including the importance of documenting controls, planning for internal dispute resolution, and adapting governance frameworks as scam risks and technology evolve. This episode will be of interest to directors, compliance and risk professionals, and organisations operating in regulated sectors preparing for the commencement of the Scams Prevention Framework. Essential ESG is a podcast series presented by Corrs that breaks down topical issues affecting the rapidly evolving environmental, social and governance landscape in Australia and beyond.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Lara Hall and Kate Gill‑Herdman discuss the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) updated guidance on sustainability collaborations. They explore how the refreshed guidance – which includes newly developed modern slavery case studies – is designed to help businesses collaborate responsibly while navigating Australia’s competition laws and compliance obligations. The conversation also highlights why collaboration is increasingly critical for identifying modern slavery risks across complex, multi‑layered supply chains. Lara and Kate unpack the practical considerations for organisations wanting to work together, the role of information‑sharing protocols, and the pathways available when more formal engagement with the ACCC is required.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Kate Gill-Herdman discuss the role of operational-level grievance mechanisms in ensuring responsible and sustainable business conduct when operating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas.

In this special episode of Essential ESG, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and James North discuss the fast-evolving landscape of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) governance. As AI technologies continue to transform industries, the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding them are shifting just as rapidly. With AI regulation in flux globally, Phoebe and James explore why proactive AI governance is critical – not only for managing legal risks and navigating emerging regulations, but also in unlocking AI’s productivity potential and building stakeholder trust.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Jo Dodd, Chloe Delahunt-Devlin, Emmanuel Georgouras and Patrick Magee discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by blended finance.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and special guest Professor Justine Nolan (Director, Australian Human Rights Institute and Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice, University of New South Wales) discuss emerging drivers of change in business and human rights. Phoebe and Justine consider a number of key drivers of change and discuss several transformational approaches to integrating business and human rights being adopted in Australia and overseas.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Louise Camenzuli and Georgia Smith discuss likely upcoming reforms to Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Joshua Aird discuss the increasing relevance of statutory charters of rights for business.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Joshua Aird discuss the international human rights principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Sandy Mak discuss the growing role of ESG in M&A, as a driver of both deal activity and increased transaction scrutiny by regulators and shareholders.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Eloise O’Brien discuss the key takeaways from the 11th annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, held recently in Geneva.

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Joshua Aird discuss the key principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).