Climate Change Action And Reporting: The Role Of The Accounting Profession

Abstract

The study explores the role of the accounting profession in climate change action and reporting. More specifically, the study examines what and how the accounting profession can influence climate change action and reporting. In doing so, Abbott’s theory on the systems of profession was adopted as a theoretical lens to guide the study. The qualitative case study approach was adopted where data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis where data collected was condensed, displayed, and analysed for conclusions to be drawn. The study finds that the accounting profession has categorised climate change as an environmental issue. Within the accounting profession are structural and social actors who are engaging in intraprofessional and interprofessional relations to refine accounting knowledge systems that inform accounting professionals on climate change reporting. Also, the study finds other roles of the accounting profession such as creation of awareness of climate change by accounting professional bodies and provision of climate change reporting standards as prescriptions to contribute to climate action. The findings of the study provide practical implications for the accounting profession to modify traditional accounting practices and recommends that climate change action and reporting should be integrated into accounting pedagogy.