Compliance guide
ESG Policy Template
An ESG policy sets out the rules and commitments that govern how your business manages environmental, social and governance issues. This guide gives you a section-by-section template and shows how it differs from an ESG statement. Need it done for you? Get a portal-ready document.
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Key takeaways
- An ESG policy sets your internal rules; an ESG statement reports your commitments and actions outward.
- A good policy covers all three pillars, environmental, social and governance, with clear ownership.
- Portals and large customers may ask for either; a combined ESG/CSR document covers most requests.
- Use the template below, or get a tailored, portal-ready statement from ESG Complete for AU$499.
ESG policy vs ESG statement
An ESG policy is the internal document that sets your standards and who is responsible for them. An ESG statement (see our ESG statement template) is the outward-facing summary you share with customers and portals. The policy is the engine; the statement is the dashboard.
ESG policy template structure
Adapt this outline. Each pillar gets a short set of commitments tied to your operations.
1. Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
2. Environmental
- Energy, emissions and waste commitments
- Resource efficiency and, where relevant, alignment to ISO 14001
3. Social
- Health & safety, diversity and fair labour
- Modern slavery and supply-chain expectations
- Community engagement
4. Governance
- Ethics, anti-bribery and anti-corruption
- Risk management and data protection
- Accountability and reporting lines
5. Ownership & review
Name the role responsible and commit to an annual review.
How to write your ESG policy
Five steps from blank page to approved policy.
- 1
Inventory current practices
List what you already do under each pillar.
- 2
Choose your frameworks
Decide which standards to reference (ISO 14001/45001, GRI, SDGs).
- 3
Write commitments per pillar
Keep them specific and achievable.
- 4
Assign ownership
Name who is accountable and set a review cycle.
- 5
Approve and distribute
Get sign-off, then share with staff, suppliers and portals.
DIY vs done-for-you
| DIY from this template | ESG Complete | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | AU$499 inc GST |
| Time | A few hours | ~10 minutes |
| Covers all three pillars | If thorough | Yes |
| Portal-ready PDF | Your job | Yes |
Get a portal-ready ESG document
A tailored ESG/CSR statement aligned to ISO, GRI and the SDGs, accepted by Felix, Avetta and CM3, usually within the hour.
Sustainability Statement (CSR / ESG)
ESG, CSR and anti-slavery in one compliant PDF, built for supplier portals. (AU$499 inc GST)
Get started->Modern Slavery Statement
A standalone, portal-ready Modern Slavery Statement for vendors who only need this one document. (AU$159 inc GST)
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