The Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) has released a report that highlights the activities undertaken by its ten member bodies to support the protection and sustainable use of natural resources.
Titled “Nature is Everyone’s Business: The GAA’s Progress and Pathway to 2030”, the report provides an update on the collective efforts made by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and its international partners to address the global nature crisis.
The report arrives two years after the GAA’s strategies revealed during the run-up to the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).
It also outlines the actions planned to further accelerate progress towards the 2030 nature targets established in the Global Biodiversity Framework.
ICAEW chief executive Alan Vallance said: “The timing of this report could not be more significant. As efforts to transition our economies on to a more sustainable footing, it’s vital that nature recovery is part of the transition – one that is net zero, nature positive and leaves no one behind.
“ICAEW remains proudly committed to equipping our members with the skills and knowledge to be part of the solution.”
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By GlobalDataICAEW has been engaging with various stakeholders to align UK policy processes with nature recovery goals.
Its involvement includes participation in the UK’s Transition Planning Taskforce, Nature Working Group, and the development of nature-related educational materials.
These efforts aim to help finance professionals integrate sustainability into their work, represented by the Sustainability Certificate that ICAEW offers.
Furthermore, in 2024, ICAEW joined an €11m ($12.06m) European-Commission-funded project, A-Track, to support decision-makers in incorporating nature into business, finance, and policy.
The GAA aims that the pathway to 2030, as detailed in the report, will inspire further action within the accountancy profession.
The report notes the importance of advocating for effective public policy, engaging with standard-setting bodies and regulators, and providing support to build professional competencies related to nature.
In line with this, the GAA is preparing to launch a ‘Starter Guide to Nature for Accountants’ in response to the increasing expectation for accountants to consider nature-related issues in their work.
