Environmental and sustainability reporting is now a major issue around the world. There are even global guidelines for sustainability reporting (the Global Reporting Initiative--GRI). However, there is considerable variation in the uptake and implementation of sustainability reporting.
One area of interest for academics is what role (if any) the IFRS can play in supporting sustainability reporting. In the academic literature, there have been several studies that have investigated the possibility of IFRS making a contribution in the future.
Required:
Part A (1,000 words MAX,)
Provide a brief literature review of what the academic and professional literature (the professional literature can include professional magazines and quality web sites) says about the current and potential usefulness of IFRS for sustainable reporting. Some useful articles are listed below that are available on the CQUni Library site (via Discover It!).
Part B (2,000 words MAX,)
Building on your answer to Part A, and from the work you have done in your previous assessment item, report on the current or potential use of accounting standards in the country of your choice (from Assessment Item 1) to support sustainability reporting. If you have chosen a country that offers no information in this area, you are free to choose another country or the European Union.
You may focus on specific standards that offer benefit, or focus on accounting standards generally, but your report must be backed by research.
Your report can include articles from the academic literature, as well as commentary from:
• Web sites
• Newspapers
• Regulators
• Financial reports.
Provide your report in the form of a single report, which has:
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Part A
• Part B
• Conclusion
• References.
You must reference your sources using the Harvard method.
The 3,000 word limit applies to Part A and Part B of your report only.
Suggested reading list
Apergis, N, Eleftheriou, S, & Payne, JE 2013, 'Analysis: The relationship between international financial reporting standards, carbon emissions, and R&D expenditures: Evidence from European manufacturing firms', Ecological Economics, vol. 88, no. Transaction Costs and Environmental Policy, pp. 57-66.
Barbu, EM, Dumontier, P, Feleaga, N, & Feleaga, L 2014, 'A Proposal of an International Environmental Reporting Grid: What Interest for Policymakers, Regulatory Bodies, Companies, and Researchers?', The International Journal of Accounting, vol. 49, no. 2, p. 253.
Barbu, EM, Dumontier, P, Feleaga, N, & Feleaga, L 2014, 'Mandatory Environmental Disclosures by Companies Complying with IASs/IFRSs:
The Cases of France, Germany, and the UK', The International Journal of Accounting, vol. 49, no. 2, p. 231.