ASFI will engage with identified stakeholder groups over the course of the taxonomy’s development in a targeted manner consistent with the key principles for engagement and the Australian Taxonomy principles of usability, interoperability, credibility and prioritisation for impact.     

Stakeholder Engagement and Public Consultation

On this page

1. Approach to stakeholder engagement

2. Avenues for engagement

3. Public Consultation

4. Taxonomy Information Forum

5. International Engagement

Approach to Stakeholder Engagement

The purpose of engaging with stakeholders on the Australian Taxonomy’s design and development is to:  

• seek diverse and informed input, including technical input, to optimise taxonomy outputs;  

• ensure stakeholders affected by the taxonomy are properly consulted and given the opportunity to provide input on matters of relevance to them; and  

• socialise the taxonomy with a diversity of stakeholder groups and foster understanding and alignment in relation to its use and objectives. 

Key Principles for Engagement

ASFI’s approach to stakeholder engagement will be informed by the below principles.  

• Inclusivity: Identifying stakeholders across the financial services sector, non-government organisations (NGOs), academia, the real economy and the public at large; identifying the optimal format and forum to engage with different stakeholders; ensuring accessibility by identifying appropriate structures and mechanisms so that all stakeholders can have their say. 

• Timeliness: Ensuring early, ongoing and timely engagement with stakeholders.   

• Transparency: Committing to publicly disclose who is consulted, who is providing input, what the nature of the input is and how that input is or is not being considered.  

• Respect: Ensuring optimal engagement settings so stakeholder engagement is enhanced and participants feel heard and respected. 

ASFI will conduct public consultation on the Australian Taxonomy’s development from May through October 2024.   

Public Consultation

ASFI will go out for submissions and will publish these on its website (except where confidentiality is specifically requested by an individual or organisation).   

• The purpose of the public consultation process is to seek feedback on all aspects of the Australian Taxonomy’s development and ensure it achieves the key taxonomy principles of credibility, usability, interoperability and prioritisation for impact. 

• Public consultation will target stakeholders directly or indirectly affected by the Australian Taxonomy who have not had an opportunity to actively engage or provide their views.  

• To support public consultation, ASFI will host a General Taxonomy Forum webinar on the taxonomy’s development in the same week it opens the submission process. It will also run up to three drop-in sessions on different aspects of the taxonomy’s development. 

• Feedback will be collated by ASFI and provided to the TTEG and CWG for consideration and, as appropriate, integration into the taxonomy’s initial design.