Lahore- Thirteen professional accountancy bodies from around the world – including AAT,
ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, and the Association of International Certified Professional
Accountants – have joined forces to fight climate change by committing to reach net
zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The accountancy bodies are part of The Prince of Wales’s Accounting for Sustainability
Project (A4S) Accounting Bodies Network. This network represents more than 2.5 million
professional accountants and students, who work with businesses and governments in 179
countries.[1]
The bodies have committed to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible and will publish
plans to do so within the next 12 months and report annually to show progress.[2]
Accountants are well placed within their organisations and with their clients to drive action on
the climate crisis. The bodies have therefore also committed to provide their members with
training, support, and resources to help them create their own net zero plans and reduce
their emissions.

In addition, the bodies have pledged to provide advice to help governments create the
policies and infrastructure necessary for transitions to net zero economies. The profession is
already at the forefront of helping societies adapt by using accounting practices to help
governments adjust economic policy in ways that minimise climate change.

Heather Hill, AAT President, said: “Following the 2020 call to action by the professional
accounting bodies, AAT is pleased to support this statement of commitment to net zero.
Climate change is an existential crisis and every one of us, as individuals and organisations,
has a part to play in driving the effort to achieve net zero. At AAT we will continue our
organisational activity to improve our carbon footprint, but to also help equip our members to
engage in this crucial collective effort, and to bring our influence to bear on the government
where appropriate.”

Helen Brand OBE, ACCA Chief Executive, said: “Making these commitments is important
to create positive business change – and professional accountants are core to this. They are
in a unique position to drive good business decisions with positive impacts on sustainability,
including on climate action, in the organisations they lead and work for. ACCA is proud to
support these commitments and play our part.”
Michael Izza, ICAEW Chief Executive, said: “The fight against climate change requires
urgent global action, so we were pleased to join our fellow bodies from around the world to
confirm our commitment to a zero-carbon society.

“We were the first major professional body to become carbon neutral and have brought in
measures to help us reach net zero, such as setting up carbon-reducing projects. We will
continue to look for ways to minimise our carbon footprint, guide our members on their own
net zero journeys and support global action.”

J Bruce Cartwright CA, ICAS Chief Executive, said: “ICAS is proud to be a signatory to
the Accounting Bodies Network commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions and to
commit to provide training, support and resources to help our members establish their own
net zero pathways based on our experience. The accountancy profession can be a key
enabler in the transition to a net zero economy. I believe that if we pool our collective efforts
and resources we can achieve our climate change ambitions and make the creation of a
healthy and sustainable planet a reality for future generations.”

Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, CEO at the Association of International Certified
Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, said: “Over the past decade,
we have been witnessing the direct and indirect impact of environmental-related risks on our
communities. It is now abundantly clear that to address these risks and achieve climate-goal
ambitions, we must work together and lead the accounting profession by example. Public
and management accountants have an important role to play improving an organisation’s
integrated thinking and decision-making capabilities to promote responsible and sustainable
business practices. They have the necessary skills and expertise to help effect meaningful
change in this area. As an organisation, we are fully committed to doing our part and will
continue to help our members, their organisations and their clients across the globe support
with this mission”.