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ACCA briefing updates delegates on latest developments

23 Apr 2010

Delegates attended a briefing at ACCA's London headquarters on 14 April that considered the latest developments in carbon accounting.

Held in association with Trucost, the global environmental data company, the event, entitled Carbon Accounting: What Accountants Need to Know, served to provide practical solutions to leading carbon accounting issues.

Chaired by Paul Druckman of HRH Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability Project, the event guided delegates through the maze of carbon accounting - from responding to current and future legislation to understanding cost savings potential.

Those speaking at the event included:

• Oliver Greenfield, head of sustainable business and economics, World Wildlife Fund
• Gordon Wilson, senior manager of climate change and sustainability, KPMG
• Jyoti Banerjee, industry analyst and director, KiteBlue Ltd
• Mark Bromley, head of business performance, EDF
• Neil McIndoe, head of environmental finance, Trucost

Among the issues discussed were how technology can support carbon accounting, whether it can actually reduce costs and improve business efficiency, and an overview of the key climate change developments and frameworks.

The event concluded with a panel session, chaired by Roger Adams, ACCA executive director - policy, allowing delegates the opportunity to quiz speakers on any aspect of carbon accounting.

'Carbon - its measurement, management, accounting, strategy and assurance - is assuming mounting importance at the corporate level,' said Adams.

'By 2012, most large energy consuming enterprises will be subject to mandatory requirements regarding carbon emissions and carbon trading. It is imperative that accountants - whether in industry, the public sector or in private practice - familiarise themselves with the concepts and challenges of carbon management and carbon accounting.'