SAP is launching its Environmental Compliance software platform for Australian and New Zealand corporations in correspondence with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

The software, which works with both SAP and non-SAP platforms, allows companies to monitor their greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption to comply with the upcoming Act, which goes into effect on 1 July 2008.

The act will initially affect 700 Australian and New Zealand companies.

Fifty to 60 percent of those companies have not made a practice of reporting the required figures, and several of those who have reported have only done so on paper or spreadsheet.

A few companies in the region have already been reporting with the EC software prior to the act, but SAP expects many more will adopt the program, and not only because of the compliance requirement.

“It’s not just a reporting issue, it’s really about protecting your brand,” said Stefan Goehring of SAP ANZ.

“Companies are using it as a competitive advantage, so they can show the world and their investors that they are good corporate citizens.”

SAP has offered the EC software in the U.S., Canada, and several countries throughout Europe.

In Europe, where environmental compliance standards have already been in place, SAP has seen a 60 to 90 percent reduction of risk.

As the first round of corporations brace themselves for July, Goehring believes the EC program can provide them with more than just the bare minimum of compliance, but a pathway through the changing environmental climate.

“Compliance is the primary driver, but you want to get more out of it,” he said.

“Public opinion has changed, you don’t want to be associated with a company who pollutes the world, you want to show that you can produce while still being responsible.”

“It’s not just meant for recording and just being compliant because you have to do it- for us, it’s more like looking into the future and preparing our clients for the future.”