by Xinwu He Financial reporting has long been the major topic in Corporate Reporting courses. Traditionally, students who are trained as accountants are taught to do correct accounting treatments, produce financial statements, calculate financial ratios and analyze financial information. Over the last few years, the importance of non-financial reporting has increased through sustainability/corporate social responsibility (CSR)/environmental, […]
Understanding key stakeholder perspectives in non-financial reporting
UK FRC calls for consideration of climate change risk and importance of stakeholders to value creation
by Carol A Adams Main points: Acknowledgement that climate change presents risks for companies Recognition that stakeholders are important to the long-term success of a company Support for increasing integration of non-financial information in corporate reporting Agreement on the need for disclosures on how value is created There is a disconnect between academic research and […]
ASX consultation on Corporate Governance Principles
by Carol A Adams Main points: ‘Social licence to operate’ is inappropriate as a frame for determining climate change and other sustainability risks Boards should identify sustainable development risks in their external environment Climate change and sustainability risks should be on the Board skills matrix Minimum gender targets for women should be enforced The ASX […]
UK Green Finance Inquiry report concludes climate change risk reporting should be mandatory
by Carol A Adams Main points: Pension fund Trustees have a Fiduciary Duty to consider long term financial risks of climate change There’s a lack of regulatory mechanisms in place to ensure climate change risks are incorporated into investment decisions Recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) should be mandatory and enforced […]
Pension funds adopt strikingly different approaches to climate change risk
by Carol Adams Pension funds invest for the long term and scientists have concluded that climate change poses a significant risk to all aspects of life, including water, food and energy security. The implications for business are significant and yet investor and corporate action does not match this known impact of climate change and other […]
UK Green Finance Inquiry report released
by Carol A Adams Main points: Green investment levels have declined and are insufficient to meet legally binding carbon reduction targets Green bonds, carbon pricing, policy certainty and maintaining links with Europe are part of the solution Recommendations on increasing climate related financial disclosures under consideration The UK Government’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee has today […]
Pension funds and Defined Contribution members called to action on climate change
by Carol A Adams The Chair of the British Government’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), Mary Creagh, has written to the Trustees of the country’s top 25 pension funds asking some probing questions about climate change risks, reporting of such risks and policy interventions on climate risk reporting. This is an important, if belated, development […]
Bringing to life the value creation process in corporate reporting
by Kerry Hicks, Senior Policy Advisor, Australian Institute of Company Directors The reporting process should be seen as an investment which can bring huge rewards, says Dr Carol Adams. This interview with Carol Adams was first published by the Australian Institute of Company Directors here Dr Carol Adams is an author, consultant and Non-Executive Director […]
How accounting and reporting can grow sustainable finance
by Carol A Adams How can the financial sector support a more sustainable and inclusive economic system which is low carbon and resource efficient? This question was tackled by a European Union (EU) ‘High Level Group of Experts’ in a report published last month. It notes the increasing relevance of sustainability information for investors and […]
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