ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has warned that the decision of the US administration to renegotiate the Paris Climate Agreement is a backward step that—contrary to the stated intention—will put jobs, wealth and prosperity creation at grave risk.

Jimmy Greer, head of sustainability at ACCA, said:

‘At a time when the world needs collaborative and committed leadership to solve complex, interconnected global challenges, the US government has made a short-sighted decision.

‘A move away from the concrete steps the world has committed to in controlling carbon emissions may represent short-term gain for the few, but threatens longer term inclusive and enduring prosperity creation, both in the US and around the world, for the many.

‘Business and finance leaders from the US and around the world have already condemned this decision, including several who are involved in fossil-fuel related activities. We have come a long way to secure widespread recognition that climate change is one of the biggest risks facing our economies and societies, and even further to have policymakers around the world seeing that it can also be an engine of economic dynamism, replete with opportunities for economic renewal and transformation.

‘Around the world, every day, ACCA members across 178 countries feel the tangible impacts of climate change.

‘The role for the accountancy profession here is clear: we need to provide leadership and clarity on the economic opportunities to ensure the much-needed transformation happens with or without the US.

‘ACCA and its members will continue to support companies and governments around the world as they finance new opportunities, enhance corporate monitoring and reporting of environmental and social outcomes, and mitigate emerging climate-related risks.’

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For media enquiries, contact:

Adele Gilbert, ACCA Newsroom

T: +44 (0)20 7059 5077
M: +44 (0)7753 242 464
E: adele.gilbert@accaglobal.com
Twitter: @ACCANews

Notes to Editors

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. It offers business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 188,000 members and 480,000 students in 178 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 100 offices and centres and more than 7,400 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. It believes that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. ACCA’s core values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and it ensures that through its range of qualifications, it prepares accountants for business. ACCA seeks to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artificial barriers, innovating its qualifications and delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com