EURACTIV PR

An easy way of publishing your relevant EU press releases.

Clear and practical guides to natural capital management published by ACCA

Date

26 Nov 2020

Sections

Sustainable Dev.
The 4Rs - restore, reduce, remove and reimagine success - are part of the strategic planning process, says global accountancy body

The accountant’s role in managing natural capital – resources like water, land, minerals, and oceans – is explained by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in a new video and accompanying guides for business leaders, performance managers, corporate reporters and auditors and assurers.

In Professional accountants changing business for the planet: A guide to natural capital management ACCA advises that accountants should begin the journey to understanding their natural capital risks and opportunities by connecting their organisation’s value chain to its areas of natural capital dependency and impact.

A strong sustainability governance framework should also be put in place, that integrates with the organisation’s strategy, risk management, systems and staff development.

Sharon Machado, portfolio head of business reporting and author of the guides explains: ‘For many professional accountants, formulating and executing natural capital strategies is likely to be a new experience, and a journey, that involves several key steps. So this series helps professional accountants to change business for the benefit of the planet, by providing simple and practical explanations about the process. It includes case studies, alongside links to other helpful external resources from organisations such the Capitals Coalition and the Convention on Biological Diversity.’

The guides recommend using the 4Rs strategic framework - restore, reduce, remove and reimagine success - to help generate strategic options and ideas across the business. And to design and implement the natural capital strategy, the guides also advocate learning from other organisations to understand best practice.

Stakeholder management is also part of the journey, with ACCA setting out the need for relevant and reliable communication with stakeholders on plans and performance.

Sharon Machado concludes: ‘Professional accountants and leaders have direct responsibility for an organisation’s long-term financial well-being, through sustainable value creation. To do this they must assess and drive the strategic decision-making, finance, risk management and control, together with leading performance reporting. For many organisations, natural capital is a material factor underpinning the organisation’s resilience - therefore financial well-being will be inextricably linked to good natural capital management.’

Professional accountants changing business for the planet: A guide to natural capital management:  https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/global-profession/Professional_accountants_changing_business_planet.html

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

For media enquiries, contact:

Helen Thompson, ACCA newsroom

E: newsroom@accaglobal.com

M: +44 (0)7725 498 654

Twitter: @ACCANews

accaglobal.com

About ACCA

ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We’re a thriving global community of 227,000 members and 544,000 future members based in 176 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values. We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That’s why we’re committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.

Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we’re a not-for-profit organisation, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.

Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today’s questions and preparing us for tomorrow. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com

 

Jobs

Plastics Europe
ECVM Policy Officer
ARCHE NOAH
Policy Officer
Party of European Socialists
EU Horizontal Policy Trainee
European Environmental Bureau
Events Assistant
EUI - European University Institute
Coordinator of the Academy of European Law
Eurosif - The European Sustainable Investment Forum
(Senior) Policy Adviser
Sealed Air Belgium N.V.
Government Affairs Senior Manager