On this Earth Day, here are some net-zero top tips for CFOs from The Prince's Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S). Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. EARTHDAY.ORG™ works in countries around the world to drive meaningful action for our planet across these issues: Climate Action, Science and Education, People and Communities, and Conservation and Restoration, and Plastic and Pollution.  This year's theme is "Restore Our Earth" which focuses on natural processes and emerging green technologies that can restore the world's ecosystems.  Some highlights a summit held by President Biden, live from leaders around the world on Earth Day a global youth climate summit led by Earth Uprising, in collaboration with My Future My Voice, OneMillionOfUs and hundreds of youth climate activists.  the "We Shall Breathe” virtual summit, a digital event examining climate and environmental justice, connecting the climate crisis to issues of pollution, poverty, police brutality, and the pandemic, all within a racial justice framework. Education International, a multilingual virtual summit spanning several time zones and featuring prominent activists from every continent, and representing 32 million educators, will lead the “Teach for the Planet: Global Education Summit” a second Earth Day Live digital event, a global show with workshops, panel discussions, and special performances will focus on Restore Our Earth™, covering natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.

Plethora of standards and frameworks results in “wild variation” in consistency and reliability of information  Global standards for sustainability reporting critical for sustainable corporate governance and to avoid “greenwashing”  Institute hosts all-island conference with An Taoiseach and Minister Diane Dodds on how boards can embed sustainability within their organisations 22 April 2021 - Chartered Accountants Ireland has reacted to European Commission proposals to amend the current EU Non-Financial Reporting Requirements Directive (NFRD). The proposals form part of a package of measures announced by the Commission to improve the flow of money towards sustainable activities, with a view to making Europe climate neutral by 2050. They are an important step in the EU’s objectives for sustainable corporate governance. Certain companies are required under current EU Non-Financial Reporting Requirements Directive to report how sustainability issues influence the performance, position and development of the company and certain information about the company’s impact on society and the environment.  Commenting, Níall Fitzgerald, Head of Ethics & Governance in Chartered Accountants Ireland, said “Existing EU guidelines have not led to a fundamental improvement in the quality of disclosures by companies. The desire to act is there among company directors and stakeholders, who are committing investment and resources to embed sustainable practices across their organisations.  “Right now, there is a plethora of standards and frameworks that companies can apply for sustainable reporting. The lack of unified global standards means that the availability, consistency, and reliability of information varies wildly across jurisdictions, some more onerous than others. This leaves organisations open to the charge of ‘greenwashing’.  In 2020, Chartered Accountants Ireland, in response to public consultations on the European Commission’s review of NFRD, and on sustainability reporting from the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation, noted that a common standard would resolve many of the problems with the comparability, reliability and relevance of information being reported by companies. Fitzgerald continued  “It is encouraging to see steps being taken towards more comparable and consistent global sustainability reporting standards. The Commission have stated that the development of EU sustainability reporting standards will also contribute to the global standards development process. However, we need clarity as to who the Commission will engage to develop these standards, as they have to date only suggested this may be the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG). “We also welcome the proposal to digitally ‘tag’ reported sustainability information. This will ensure information is more readily identifiable, providing greater transparency and confidence. A social contract exists between business and the public, and with more companies making public sustainability pledges, these standards will ensure they are held to account for commitments and that empty promises are exposed.”   ENDS  For more information:  Jill Farrelly  PR & Communications Manager  Chartered Accountants Ireland   jill.farrelly@charteredaccountants.ie     Tel: 087 738 6608 Notes to Editor     About Chartered Accountants Ireland     Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s leading professional accountancy body, representing 29,500 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.