Through a new campaign, “1,000 Chartered Accountants”, launched today, Chartered Accountants Ireland, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) are calling for 1,000 Chartered Accountants from within their memberships to commit to leading change by championing the UN Race to Zero campaign.
The professional bodies will promote and support these 1,000 Chartered Accountants who have committed to beginning their journey to net-zero carbon emissions by leading the way in their own organisations or by helping a client on a net zero journey.
Commenting, Chief Executive of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Barry Dempsey said
“Six years on from the Paris Agreement, the urgency of the climate crisis requires drastic action. This can be seen from the European Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ packaged announced yesterday, the most ambitious multilateral climate strategy to date.
“Ambition needs to be translated into action and we are delighted to join ICAEW and ICAS in the “1000 Chartered Accountants” campaign. Accountants are uniquely placed to drive progress on sustainability on the ground in organisations. They make critical financial decisions daily about purchasing, procurement and many other things and the information they provide is vital to wider decision-making. From this position of influence comes opportunity and responsibility.”
In committing to the campaign, signatories are pledging to reach net zero GHG emissions as soon as possible, and by 2050 at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5C. Within 12 months, they must explain what actions will be taken toward achieving both interim and longer-term pledges, especially in the short- to medium-term.
They are also required to report publicly both progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as the actions being taken, at least annually.
The UN Race to Zero campaign is an initiative of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ('UNFCCC'). It pulls together other initiatives from across the climate action community under a single umbrella to rally businesses, cities, regions, and investors to achieve a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery - all goals of the Paris Climate Agreement - ahead of COP26 this November, at which governments will commit to being more ambitious in their climate action.
For more information and to join the 1,000 Chartered Accountants campaign, see.
ENDS
About Chartered Accountants Ireland
Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s leading professional accountancy body, representing almost 30,000 influential members around the world and educating 7,000 students. The Institute aims to create opportunities for members and students, and ethical, sustainable prosperity for society. An all-island body, Chartered Accountants Ireland was established by Royal Charter in 1888 and now has members in more than 90 countries. It is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the international network of over one million chartered accountants. It also plays key roles in the Global Accounting Alliance, Accountancy Europe and the International Federation of Accountants.
Chartered Accountants Ireland members provide leadership in business, the public sector and professional practice, bringing experience, expertise and strict standards to their work for, and with, businesses in every sector. Chartered Accountants Ireland engages with governments, policy makers and regulators on key issues affecting the profession and the wider economy.
In Spring 2021, Chartered Accountants Ireland joined the United Nations Global Compact - the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. The Institute is committed to becoming the first carbon-neutral professional accountancy organisation in Ireland by measuring its carbon footprint and aggressively reducing its carbon emissions.
LOADING...