According to Martin and Steele (2010, p.13), "The two principal professional associations in Australia - CPA Australia (the CPA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (the Institute) have indicated their awareness of the significance of issues of sustainability reporting and development of appropriate skill sets in word and indeed. The commitment of both organisations to sustainability principles has been shown by their adoption of, and support for, sustainability-focused reporting approaches and by their opting to take up membership of the Accounting for Sustainability Forum".
According to Sikka (2008, p.291), "The burgeoning corporate social responsibility literature rarely focuses on the anti-social practices of accounting firms...Accountancy firms are on a collision course with civil society".
Consider the above excerpts.
In a two-part essay:
a. Discuss the stance and initiatives of the Australian accounting profession on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Include your views on the role of accounting and the professional accountants on CSR and sustainability.
b. Discuss the way in which BHP Billiton has demonstrated its social and environmental accountability.
BHP has been publishing Sustainability Reports or alternatively Annual Health, Safety, Environment and Community Reports for over a decade. For BHP's Sustainability Report for 2013, please go to:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com/home/aboutus/sustainability/reports/Documents/2013/BHPBillitonSustainabilityReport2013_Interactive.pdf
For BHP-related issues in the media, please go to:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/bhp-mines-set-to-damage-lifegiving-swamps-20100217-odzf.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-07/an-radio-doco3a-ok-tedi/4455092
You may also refer to other media reports on BHP's environmental impact.
Two good starting points for your research are: the textbook (Chapter 17); the IFAC's International Guidance Document on Environmental Management Accounting and the websites of the CPA and ICAA. For example, go to: http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/professional-resources/practice-management/toolkit/environmental-accounting