Current activities
Our three main areas of work for 2010 are summarised below.
1. Connected Reporting
We are continuing to develop tools to help organisations integrate sustainability into mainstream reporting.
Our areas of focus are to:
- Carry out a consultation process on the Connected Reporting 'how to' guidance released in December 2009 in order to produce an updated version of the guidance.
- Promote the application of 'connected reporting' through workshops and pilot studies and on an international basis.
- Work in collaboration with the GRI and other organisations towards the establishment of an International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC).
2. Embedding sustainability
We are researching and sharing approaches that organisations have adopted to connect sustainability considerations to economic and financial operations.
Our areas of focus are to:
- Publish our new book "Accounting for Sustainability Practical Insights" which features the full case studies, summaries of which were published in December 2009 as "Practical Insights - A summary of case studies in embedding and reporting sustainability" and reports the findings from academic research into how organisations have used accounting for sustainability tools and principles to embed sustainability into their DNA.
- New case study research with Marks & Spencer into how Plan A has embedded sustainability into corporate decision-making.
3. Accounting Bodies Network (ABN) and wider A4S Forum activities
Our international network of accounting bodies and other organisations will contribute to the development and promotion of better accounting for sustainability.
Our areas of focus are to:
- Launch a community website in collaboration with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The website will allow anyone with an interest in sustainability and connected reporting to share ideas, discuss initiatives and connect with each other.
- Convene, influence and educate investor, corporate and accounting communities through regular communications and meetings, work with business schools and others, and through the main annual Forum event
- Raise the profile of our work through presentation at relevant events in the UK and internationally.