13 accounting member bodies make net-zero carbon commitment

Thirteen accounting bodies from across the globe, including the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, announced Wednesday that they have committed to reach net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible.

The accounting bodies, which together represent more than 2.5 million professional accountants and students, will publish in the next 12 months their plans for reaching net zero. They will report annually on their progress toward this goal.

As part of The Prince of Wales's Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) project, the accountancy bodies also are committed to provide their members with training, support, and resources to help them create their own net-zero plans and reduce carbon emissions.

The bodies also have pledged to provide advice to help governments develop policies and create infrastructure necessary for transitions to net-zero economies.

Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, the CEO at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, said in a news release that it is abundantly clear that to address environmental risks and achieve climate-goal ambitions, accounting organisations must work together and lead the profession by example.

"Public and management accountants have an important role to play improving an organisation's integrated thinking and decision-making capabilities to promote responsible and sustainable business practices," Melancon said. "They have the necessary skills and expertise to help effect meaningful change in this area. As an organisation, we are fully committed to doing our part and will continue to help our members, their organisations, and their clients across the globe support this mission."

In addition to the Association, the following bodies have made the net-zero commitment: AAT, ACCA, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti e degli Esperti Contabili, CPA Australia, CPA Canada, ICAEW, ICAS, Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V. (IDW), Regnskap Norge, and the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA).

— Ken Tysiac (Kenneth.Tysiac@aicpa-cima.com) is FM magazine's editorial director.