Saving the planet by numbers
I recently chaired a Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) forum where speakers and guests from a variety of corporate backgrounds discussed issues of corporate responsibility and sustainability.
In a gathering including representatives of some major entities, the prevailing mood was a desire to meet the challenges presented by sustainability issues as central business considerations.
At CPA Australia we are implementing a comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy articulated in three 'pillars': leadership of the profession; organisation (how we conduct ourselves in terms of ethics and transparency); and community (how we contribute to the communities in which we operate through involvement in charities and volunteering).
What I found most pleasing at the CEDA forum was the overwhelming expression of a genuine desire to engage with such issues in a tangible, meaningful way, not to merely adopt them through a series of convenient buzz-words but rather to grapple with and think through, challenges and identify opportunities.
Of course, these are things, like overcoming obstacles and approaching problems creatively, that the business world, at its best, does very well.
Accountants must be involved in this process, both as participants and drivers.
We are, after all, the managers of strategic business resources, and as such make crucial decisions on how and where these resources are allocated. In a setting where businesses have to be increasingly accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions, this role is crucial.
Also, sustainability issues come with a range of additional business reporting requirements that will only increase. Again, the accountant's role is integral.
CPA Australia is a prolific contributor to the consultations under way into climate change and business sustainability. We are involved in a number of research projects to examine corporate reporting and sustainability.
We are also introducing a segment on sustainability into our continuing professional development program.
It's crucial that the accounting profession is deeply involved in the development of any new reporting and regulatory regime, and ensures business is prepared for its implementation.
The science linking human activity and climate change is increasingly certain. Business as a driver of much of this activity, for instance, through encouraging consumption, has a central role in addressing the issue.
I've raised the issue of sustainability on my blog and welcome an exchange of views and information. Organisations that are open to change and remain positive about meeting challenges will thrive.
Alex Malley FCPA is president of CPA Australia
Further information
Reference: May 2008, volume 78:04, p. 8 - 9
