IFRS Foundation Trustees: key acknowledgements not addressed in strategy

by Carol A Adams Main points: the IFRS Foundation Trustees’ response to feedback acknowledges some key findings of research; some matters acknowledged by the Trustees are not (currently) incorporated into their strategy. Research demonstrates the urgent need for mandatory sustainability reporting standards to achieve sustainable development and also that such standards need to be enforced […]

Sustainable development as our ‘north star’ in the harmonisation debate

by Carol A Adams Main points: provides a summary of what matters in the debate on the harmonisation of sustainability reporting; sustainable development/ the SDGs are taken as the guiding ‘north star’. Definition of sustainability reporting “Sustainability reporting is an organization’s practice of reporting publicly on its most significant economic, environmental and social impacts, and […]

Accountability and Governance in Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals: Conceptualising how governments create value

By Subhash Abhayawansa, Carol A Adams and Cristina Neesham Main points: Sets out the national accountability & governance structures required to track a nation’s progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal. Draws on submissions to the Australian Senate Inquiry on the SDGs run by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The findings & conceptual framework have implications: […]

UNDP’s SDG Impact Standards for Enterprises

The UNDP’s SDG Impact Standards for Enterprises are open for consultation until 15th December. “The Standards…[link] sustainable development and achieving the SDGs to core business purpose and practice… The Standards recognize and Enterprises ability to create long term value for itself and others requires taking a broader, more holistic view of value creation (beyond financial […]

Accountants can help meet the Sustainable Development Goals

by Carol A Adams Accountants have an important role to play in helping organisations address the issues that led to the development of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 Goals were the result of extensive global consultation and consensus regarding the key sustainable development risks facing the planet and its people. While […]

SDG Bonds: financing the SDGs with credibility, building back better post COVID-19

Main points: Governments around the world are seeking to build back better post COVID-19 and address long term sustainability development The UNDP is consulting on Practice Assurance Standards for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Bonds Input is sought from accountants, auditors, assurance providers and technical assurance experts The UNDP’s SDG Impact Team is developing resources to […]

Call for improved UN Sustainable Development Goals disclosures

by Carol A Adams Main points: Sustainable Development Goals Disclosure (SDGD) Recommendations is published today by leading accounting bodies and others. The SDGD Recommendations are aligned to GRI, IIRC and TCFD. Consultation responses and a Feedback report informed the Recommendations. Consultation responses emphasised the need for accountability for value destruction and negative impacts. Recommendations calling […]

The consultation responses

by Carol A Adams Main points: Responses to Recommendations for SDG Disclosures: A Consultation Paper are now available (links below) A Feedback paper by summarising these responses and responding to the consultation input will be published shortly Recommendations for SDG Disclosures: A Consultation Paper by Carol Adams, Paul Druckman and Russell Picot was published in […]

Responses to the consultation on Recommendations for SDG Disclosures

by Carol A Adams Update (15th January 2020): The full responses are now available here Main points: Responses have been received from framework/standard setters, professional accounting bodies, reporting organisations, asset owners, asset managers, consultants and civil society participants to Recommendations for SDG Disclosures: A Consultation Paper A response to the consultation responses will be published […]

Have your say on recommended SDG Disclosures

By Carol A Adams Main points: The sustainable development issues addressed by the UN SDGs will impact on long term business success. Businesses, asset owners and asset managers are incorporating the risks and opportunities they bring into their decision making. ACCA, CAANZ and ICAS have collaborated to publish SDG disclosure recommendations – accountants have a […]