
| INTRODUCTION GOVERNANCE STRATEGY RISK MANAGEMENT METRICS AND TARGETS APPENDIX 67
APPENDIX IV. DISCLAIMER
The information in this document is general information
about the Group and its activities as at the date of this
Climate Report. It is given in summary form and is therefore
not necessarily complete. It is not intended that it be
relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors,
who should be seeking independent professional advice
depending on their specific investment objectives, financial
situation or particular needs. The material contained
in this document may include information, including,
without limitation, methodologies, modelling, scenarios,
reports, benchmarks, standards, tools, metrics and data,
derived from publicly available or government or industry
sources that have not been independently verified. No
representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy,
completeness or reliability of the information.
This document contains statements that constitute
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements about matters that
are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements and
metrics appear in a number of places in this document
and include statements regarding our current intent,
belief or expectations with respect to our business
and operations, macro and micro economic and market
conditions, results of operations and financial condition,
capital adequacy and risk management, including without
limitation, climate change, net-zero, emissions intensity
and other sustainability related statements, commitments
and targets, projections, scenarios, risk and opportunity
assessments, pathways, forecasts and metrics, forecasted
economic indicators and performance metric outcomes,
financial support to certain borrowers, indicative drivers,
estimated emissions and other proxy data. These are
subject to known and unknown risks, and there are
significant uncertainties, limitations, risks and assumptions
in the metrics and modelling on which these statements
rely. In particular, the metrics, methodologies and data
relating to climate and sustainability are rapidly evolving
and maturing, including variations in approaches and
common standards in estimating and calculating emissions,
and uncertainty around future climate- and sustainability-related policy and legislation. There are inherent limits in
the current scientific understanding of climate change and
its impacts.
Forward-looking statements may also be made by
members of Westpac’s management, directors, officers
or employees (verbally or in writing) in connection
with this document. Such statements are subject to
the same limitations, uncertainties, assumptions and
disclaimers in this document. We use words such as
‘will’, ‘may’, ‘expect’, ‘indicative’, ‘intend’, ‘seek’, ‘would’,
‘should’, ‘could’, ‘continue’, ‘anticipate‘, ‘believe‘, ‘probability‘,
‘risk‘, ‘aim‘, ‘target’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate‘, ‘outlook‘, ‘forecast‘,
‘goal’, ‘guidance’, ‘ambition’, ‘assumption’, ‘projection’, or
other similar words that convey the prospective nature of
events or outcomes and generally indicate forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our
current best estimates, judgements, assumptions and views
as at the date of this document with respect to future
events and are subject to change, certain known and
unknown risks and uncertainties and assumptions and other
factors which are, in many instances, beyond the control
of Westpac, its officers, employees, agents and advisors,
and have been made based upon management’s current
expectations, understandings or beliefs concerning future
developments and their potential effect upon us.
Although management currently believes these forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, there can be
no assurance that future developments or performance will
be in accordance with our expectations or that the effect
of future developments on us will be those anticipated.
There is a risk that the best estimates, judgements,
assumptions, views, models, scenarios, projections used
may subsequently turn out to be incorrect. Actual results,
performance, conditions, circumstances or the ability to
meet commitments and targets could differ materially
from those we expect or are expressed or implied in
such statements, depending on various factors, including
without limitation significant uncertainties in climate change
and sustainability related metrics and modelling as well
as further development of methodologies, reporting or
other standards which could impact metrics, data and
targets (noting that climate and sustainability science,
standards, methodologies and reporting are subject to rapid
change and development). There are usually differences
between forecast and actual results because events and
actual circumstances frequently do not occur as forecast
and their differences may be material. Factors that may
impact on the forward- looking statements made include,
but are not limited to, those described in this document
and in the section titled 'Risk Management' in our 2024
Annual Report, as well as the Risk Factors document
available at www.westpac.com.au. Investors should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and
statements of expectation, including targets, particularly in
light of the current economic climate and the significant
global volatility.
These statements are not guarantees or predictions of
future performance and Westpac gives no representation,
warranty or assurance (including as to the quality, accuracy
or completeness of this document), nor guarantee that
the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in
any forward-looking statement will occur. When relying
on forward-looking statements to make decisions with
respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider
such factors and other uncertainties and events, and the
judgments and data presented in this document are not a
substitute for investors and other readers’ own independent
judgements and analysis. Investors and others should
also exercise independent judgement, with the advice of
professional advisers as necessary, regarding the risks and
consequences of any matter contained in this document.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, responsibility
for the accuracy or completeness of any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or results or otherwise, is disclaimed. Except as
required by law, we assume no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this document,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, after the date of this document.
WESTPAC GROUP 2024 CLIMATE REPORT |