The annual COP climate meetings convened by the UN are a high-profile way for political and business leaders, scientists and environmental experts to tackle the climate crisis. But any agreements or policies hashed out are only useful if we all play our part in implementing them.

Through a range of practical content and case studies, this series looks at the role the accountancy profession can and should play in addressing the climate crisis, while ensuring any action protects the earth’s ecosystem and is socially just.

Making COP count: From farm to financial statement

Lancaster University and meat processors Lake District Farmers are seeking to equip local farms with evidence that regenerative practices benefit both nature and the bottom line.

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Climate change is the biggest risk to your business

ICAEW is running a series in the lead-up to COP28, highlighting what needs to happen to ensure a socially just transition to net zero that also delivers for nature and society. Richard Spencer, ICAEW Director of Sustainability, explains why this is a business-critical issue.

Just transition

It will be impossible to transition to net zero without supporting all of society to do so. Understanding what makes a socially just transition is a crucial part of sustainable accounting.

Michael Izza ICAEW CEO Chief Executive man suit tie purple background

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Accountants can be guardians of sustainability data

Fresh from his time at COP28 in Dubai, ICAEW Chief Executive Michael Izza reflects on the role the profession will play in transitioning the global economy to net zero.

The role of taxation in achieving net zero

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23 Jan 2024
ICAEW

Taxation could be reformed to support the transition to a net-zero economy. In the first of a two-part series, Ed Saltmarsh, ICAEW’s Technical Manager, VAT and Customs, examines options the UK government could take in the areas of transport and energy.

The role of taxation in achieving net zero – housing and carbon

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23 Jan 2024
ICAEW

In the second of a two-part series on how to deploy taxation to help the UK reach net zero, Ed Saltmarsh, ICAEW’s Technical Manager, VAT and Customs, takes a look at housing and carbon emissions.

The role of boards in reaching net zero

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23 Jan 2024
ICAEW

The non-executive board and the task of the net-zero transition are perfect bedfellows, according to Chapter Zero’s Chief Executive.

Santander Brasil: moving financial markets to greener ways

Article
15 Dec 2023
ICAEW

The Brazilian arm of the international bank has taken several steps to distinguish itself as an award-winning agent of change.

Net Purpose opens up a universe of impact data

Article
15 Dec 2023
ICAEW

Getting hold of high-quality, outcomes-based sustainability data has been a major pain point for investors and asset managers – but an innovative platform is changing the game.

COP28: learning a new language for business

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11 Dec 2023

As more focus is put on the need for nature-positive, socially just transition plans, accountants will need to learn a different way of measuring business performance.

How SMEs can access transition funding

Article
28 Nov 2023
ICAEW

Many existing products for SMEs are taking net zero and climate plans into account.

Climate change hazards in supply chains ‘should be priority’

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27 Nov 2023
ICAEW Insights

As COP28 approaches, a new report from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors urges business leaders and boards to focus on ESG risks within their supply chains.

The drive to educate markets on climate reporting

Article
21 Nov 2023

The UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Academy aims to empower markets around the world to play their part in the global transition to net zero.

Mapping SDGs to operations and activities

10 Nov 2023

Sightsavers has kept the Sustainable Development Goals in mind when considering its activities and operations.

Charting a roadmap to more sustainable food

09 Nov 2023

Earlier this year, a landmark report set out to put sustainability at the top of the agenda for food companies and their backers. The report’s author tells us what drove the project.

Why a loss and damage fund is essential

31 Oct 2023

Marion Osieyo, ICAEW’s Sustainability Manager, Society, explains why loss and damage fund negotiations matter to us all.

ICAEW among organisations urging action on SDGs

18 Sep 2023

Time is running out. Halfway to the 2030 deadline to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN reports just 12% progress and an open letter urges the UK Prime Minister to take action.

To meet sustainability targets, the finance system must transform

18 Sep 2023

Global UN Sustainable Development Goals progress shows we’re halfway through but not halfway there in the race to take action on climate and the environment.

Must accounting standards change to meet SDG targets?

18 Sep 2023

The UN Sustainable Development Goals were created in 2015 as global targets for social, environmental and economic improvements to aim for by 2030. Halfway to that date, what progress have we made?

Business case for nature

Reversing nature loss must be an integral part of the transition to net zero. A thriving ecosystem underpins all life on earth, including ours, and accountants have a core role to play in protecting it.

Richard Spencer, Director of Sustainability at ICAEW, Karen Ellis, Chief Economist at WWF-UK

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Nature’s role in a sustainable future

ICAEW visited WWF-UK to learn more about the crucial role nature must play in any transition to net zero.

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How Triodos developed a market for natural capital

Article
16 Jan 2024
ICAEW

Making COP count: investor appetite for nature-positive projects is growing, but more needs to be done to develop the market.

The role of accountants in disrupting the system

Article
06 Dec 2023

From preparing a transition plan to nature-positive economies, ICAEW’s Climate Summit examined some of the key trends professional accountants must be aware of as COP28 takes place.

Getting started: how to develop your nature strategy

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28 Nov 2023
ICAEW

Understanding your nature-related risks and navigating a pathway to a resilient business model can be an undertaking, but you can break it into simpler steps.

ADM: decarbonising a complex value chain

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21 Nov 2023

ADM is working towards its net zero transition target by considering carbon, the communities that supply the company, and the nature that it relies on.

Creating a market for natural capital

09 Nov 2023

The North Devon Biosphere Foundation is making preservation pay, creating a marketplace for natural capital projects that marries natural protections with business returns.

Adopting the TNFD framework needn’t be a challenge

25 Sep 2023

Getting started on the journey towards reporting on nature issues may be easier than you think – incorporating it into climate disclosures could be the first step.

Nature disclosures ‘will become the norm’

20 Sep 2023

The final TNFD recommendations were launched at New York Climate Week. Toby Roxburgh, ICAEW’s Sustainability Manager, Nature and Biodiversity, explains what this means and why it matters.

The COP Diaries

ICAEW and its partners use high-level meetings like COP28 to help professional accountants prepare for a world where their skills are needed more than ever.

Mark Gough, CEO Capitals Coalition, Jessica Fries of Accounting for Sustainability, Richard Spencer of ICAEW COP diaries

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The COP Diaries

A look behind the scenes at how ICAEW and its strategic partners plan for COP climate meetings. We follow them in the weeks leading up to COP28.

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