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Shifting the focus of sustainability accounting from impacts to risks and dependencies: researching the transformative potential of TCFD reporting

Author

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  • Brendan O'Dwyer
  • Jeffrey Unerman

Abstract

Purpose - This paper problematizes TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) reporting in a way that demonstrates areas where academic research can contribute towards realizing the transformative potential of this unique form of sustainability accounting in its early stages of development. Design/methodology/approach - The paper proposes a number of research agendas for impactful interdisciplinary research into new forms of corporate reporting of sustainability risks, opportunities and dependencies. Findings - There are several major challenges that both reporting corporations and investors need to address in realizing the potential of TCFD style risks, opportunities and dependencies reporting. Key among these is developing new practices of climate-related scenario analysis and reporting. Practical implications - There is potential for many different academic research studies to provide solid evidence in helping improve the practical impact of TCFD style sustainability reporting. These impacts may assist in moving corporate policies and actions towards zero carbon. Originality/value - This is the first agenda-setting paper that addresses the need for, and opportunities of, academic research into TCFD reporting and its potential to transform corporate accounting and reporting of sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Brendan O'Dwyer & Jeffrey Unerman, 2020. "Shifting the focus of sustainability accounting from impacts to risks and dependencies: researching the transformative potential of TCFD reporting," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 33(5), pages 1113-1141, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaajpp:aaaj-02-2020-4445
    DOI: 10.1108/AAAJ-02-2020-4445
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hammed Afolabi & Ronita Ram & Gunnar Rimmel, 2022. "Harmonization of Sustainability Reporting Regulation: Analysis of a Contested Arena," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-26, May.
    2. Francesca Manes‐Rossi & Giuseppe Nicolo', 2022. "Exploring sustainable development goals reporting practices: From symbolic to substantive approaches—Evidence from the energy sector," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1799-1815, September.
    3. Cho, Charles H. & Senn, Juliette & Sobkowiak, Madlen, 2022. "Sustainability at stake during COVID-19: Exploring the role of accounting in addressing environmental crises," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    4. Jesse M. Keenan & Benjamin D. Trump & William Hynes & Igor Linkov, 2021. "Exploring the Convergence of Resilience Processes and Sustainable Outcomes in Post-COVID, Post-Glasgow Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Clune, Conor & O’Dwyer, Brendan, 2020. "Organizing dissonance through institutional work: The embedding of social and environmental accountability in an investment field," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Jeanne, Amar & Demaria, Samira & Rigot, Sandra, 2023. "What are the drivers of corporates' climate transparency? Evidence from the S&P 1200 index," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    7. Ali Uyar & Simone Pizzi & Fabio Caputo & Cemil Kuzey & Abdullah S. Karaman, 2022. "Do shareholders reward or punish risky firms due to CSR reporting and assurance?," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(5), pages 1596-1620, July.
    8. Mohamed Saeudy & Ali Meftah Gerged & Khaldoon Albitar, 2022. "Accounting Perspectives on The Business Value of Big Data During and Beyond The COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 21(2), pages 174-199, June.
    9. Hien Hoang & Robyn Moroney & Soon‐Yeow Phang & Xinning Xiao, 2023. "Investor reactions to key audit matters: Financial and non‐financial contexts," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(3), pages 3325-3349, September.
    10. Riccardo Santoni, 2023. "Integrated Reporting come sistema manageriale per raggiungere obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile: una verifica empirica," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(1), pages 43-68.
    11. Tregidga, Helen & Laine, Matias, 2022. "On crisis and emergency: Is it time to rethink long-term environmental accounting?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    12. Sheehan, Norman T. & Vaidyanathan, Ganesh & Fox, Kenneth A. & Klassen, Mark, 2023. "Making the invisible, visible: Overcoming barriers to ESG performance with an ESG mindset," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 265-276.
    13. Tom Deweerdt, 2022. "Why Is the Australian Health Sector So Far behind in Practising Climate-Related Disclosures?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, October.
    14. Stefania Camoletto & Laura Corazza & Simone Pizzi & Erica Santini, 2022. "Corporate Social Responsibility due diligence among European companies: The results of an interventionist research project with accountability and political implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1122-1133, September.
    15. Tom Deweerdt & Kristin Caltabiano & Paul Dargusch, 2022. "Original Research: How Will the TNFD Impact the Health Sector’s Nature-Risks Management?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-10, October.
    16. Nadia Gulko & Catriona Hyde, 2022. "Corporate perspectives on CSR disclosure: audience, materiality, motivations," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(4), pages 389-412, December.
    17. Paola Vola & Lorenzo Gelmini, 2022. "Climate change skills for the new CFOs. A preliminary analysis on TCFD by Italian listed companies," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2 Suppl.), pages 189-209.
    18. Udeke Huiskamp & Bauke ten Brinke & Gert Jan Kramer, 2022. "The climate resilience cycle: Using scenario analysis to inform climate‐resilient business strategies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1763-1775, May.
    19. Martina K. Linnenluecke & Mauricio Marrone & Abhay K. Singh, 2020. "Sixty years of Accounting & Finance: a bibliometric analysis of major research themes and contributions," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(4), pages 3217-3251, December.
    20. Jill Atkins & Federica Doni & Andrea Gasperini & Sonia Artuso & Ilaria Torre & Lorena Sorrentino, 2023. "Exploring the Effectiveness of Sustainability Measurement: Which ESG Metrics Will Survive COVID-19?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(3), pages 629-646, July.

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