This is a research-led module exploring the theoretical frameworks underlying sustainability accounting and accountability, the various reporting frameworks and their development, the sustainability accounting academic literature and real life illustrations of sustainability accounting and accountability. The module begins by considering the theoretical rationale for sustainability reporting. The historical development of sustainability accounting is outlined especially the development of sustainability reporting standards and frameworks, with a focus on their proliferation and recent alignment. Throughout the module reference is made to the historical development and exponential growth of the academic research field of sustainability accounting and accountability. Specific and pertinent areas of sustainability accounting and reporting are analysed including: accounting for the sustainable development goals (SDGs); Integrated reporting; carbon accounting; accounting for biodiversity and extinction accounting, and private sustainability reporting. Students are encouraged to engage critically with the academic literature in order to reflect on and debate developments in practice.

• Define sustainability accounting, accountability and related terms and concepts
• Explain the theoretical frameworks underpinning sustainability accounting
• Outline the development of sustainability accounting frameworks and standards
• Appreciate the development of the academic research field of sustainability accounting and accountability
• Discuss critically recent efforts to align sustainability accounting frameworks globally
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of emerging areas of sustainability accounting research and practice
• Analyse and discuss illustrations of sustainability accounting practice

Lectures and tutorials.

• Analytical skills – textual analysis of sustainability accounting practice.
• Cognitive skills – understanding of theoretical frameworks underpinning sustainability accounting.
• Technical skills – detailed understanding and appreciation of the development of sustainability accounting frameworks and standards.
• Critical discursive writing skills – writing a coursework essay.
• Presentation skills – presentations of individual research in tutorials.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students who fail this module are expected to re-sit the failed component. 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session.

This module will be assessed by a 2 - hour unseen examination - January. 

Lecture 1

An introduction to key concepts: Sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable accounting and accountability, materiality, externalities.

Theoretical frameworks for sustainability accounting and accountability.

Lecture 2

The Development of Sustainability Reporting Frameworks and Standards in practice. The journey from proliferation and competing frameworks to alignment.

Lecture 3

The evolution of the academic field of sustainability accounting and accountability.

Lecture 4

The Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and accounting for the SDGs.

Lecture 5

Integrated reporting and integrated thinking.

Multi capital accounting.

Lecture 6

Accounting for the social, Emancipatory accounting theory, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Accounting for modern slavery and human rights.

Lecture 7

Greenhouse gas accounting, climate change reporting, carbon accounting, accounting for water, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Lecture 8

Accounting for biodiversity, nature accounting, biodiversity reporting in the agricultural sector, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Biological Diversity Protocol, European reporting context, Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

Lecture 9

Private sustainability reporting and responsible investment.

Lecture 10

The evolution of sustainability assurance.

Readings

Primary Textbooks and Book Chapters

Rimmel, G. (2021) Accounting for Sustainability, Routledge.

Laine, M., Tregidga, H. and Unerman J. (2021) (3^rd edition) Sustainability Accounting and Accountability, Routledge.

Gray, R. and Bebbington, J. (2001), Accounting for the Environment. 2nd ed., SAGE, London.

Gray, R. with Bebbington, J. and Walters, D. (1993), Accounting for the Environment. Paul Chapman Publishing, London.

Gray, R, Adams, C. and Owens, D (2014), Accountability, Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Accounting for Society and the Environment. Pearson, Harlow, UK.

Gray, R., Owen, D. and Adams, C. (1996), Accounting and Accountability: Changes and Challenges in Corporate Social and Environmental Reporting. Prentice Hall, London.

King, M. E. with J. F. Atkins (2016) Chief Value Officer: Accountants Can Save the Planet, Greenleaf Publishers, Saltaire, UK.

Atkins, J. (ed), Protecting natural capital and biodiversity in the agri-food sector, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, 2024, (ISBN 978 1 80146 351 5; www.bdspublishing.com).

Atkins, J. F. and Macpherson, M. (Eds.) (2022) Extinction Governance, Finance & Accounting: Implementing a Species Protection Action Plan for the Financial Markets, Routledge, UK.

Solomon, J. (2021) Corporate Governance and Accountability, 5th edition, John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Atkins, J. F. and McBride, K. (2023) “Paradigm Shift or Shifting Mirage? The Rise of Social and Environmental Accountability”, chapter in Carnegie, G. and Napier, C. Handbook of Accounting, Accountability and Governance, Edward Elgar.

Atkins, J. F. (2023) Reflecting on how ESG investing, accounting and governance have evolved over time. Lehman, Marie, Macpherson, Martina and Ung, Daniel, eds. ESG Investing and Analysis: A Practitioner's Guide. How to Incorporate ESG Considerations in the Investment Process, London, UK: Risk Books, pp. 407-419.

Academic Papers

• Gray, R., Owen D. and Maunders, K. (1988), “Corporate social reporting: emerging trends in accountability and the social contract”, Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 6-20.
• Gray, R. (1992), “Accounting and environmentalism: an exploration of the challenge of gently accounting for accountability, transparency and sustainability”, Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 399-425.
• Gray, R. (2002), “The social accounting project and accounting organizations and society. Privileging engagement, imaginings, new accountings and pragmatism over critique?”, Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol. 27 No. 7, pp. 687–708.
• Maroun, W. and Atkins, J. F. (2018) “The emancipatory potential of extinction accounting: Exploring current practice in integrated reports”, Accounting Forum, Vol. 42, pp. 102–118.
• Atkins, J. F. and Maroun, W. (2018) “Integrated Extinction Accounting and Accountability: Building an Ark”, Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 1-41.
• Edgley, C., Jones, M. J. Atkins, J. (2015) “The adoption of the materiality concept in social and environmental reporting assurance: A field study approach”, British Accounting Review, Vol. 47, No.1, pp. 1-18, March.
• Semenova, Natalia. “The Public Effect of Private Sustainability Reporting: Evidence from Incident-Based Engagement Strategy.” Journal of Business Ethics 182 (2021): 559-572.
• Atkins, J. F. Solomon, A., Norton, S. D. and Joseph, J.L. (2015) “The Emergence of Integrated Private Reporting”, Meditari Accountancy Research, Vol. 23, No.1, pp. 28-61.
• Solomon, J. F., Joseph, N. L., Norton, S. D. and A. Solomon (2013) "Impression management, fabrication and myth creation in private social and environmental reporting: insights from Erving Goffman”, Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol.38, pp.195-213.
• Solomon, J. F., Solomon, A. Joseph N. L. and Norton, S. D. (2011) "Private Climate Change Reporting: A Discourse of Risk and Opportunity?", Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 24, No.8, pp.1119-1148.
• Jones, M.J. and J.F. Solomon (2010) “Social and Environmental Report Assurance: Some Interview Evidence”, Accounting Forum, Vol.34, No.1, March, pp.20-31.
• Edgley, C. R., Jones, M. J. and J. F. Solomon (2010) "Stakeholder Inclusivity in Social and Environmental Report Assurance", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol.23, No.4, pp.532-557.
• Solomon, J. F. and A. Solomon (2006) "Private Social, Ethical and Environmental Disclosure", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol.19, No.4, pp.564-591.