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Carbon accounting

Author

Listed:
  • Frances Bowen
  • Bettina Wittneben

Abstract

Purpose - A fully functioning carbon accounting system must be based on measurement that is materially accurate, consistent over space and time, and incorporates data uncertainty. However, achieving these goals is difficult because current carbon accounting efforts are spread across three distinct organisational fields, each prioritising different goals. This paper aims to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach - The authors identified three fields drawn together by the science of how carbon emissions can be measured, the social practices of carbon accounting, and accountability within the global carbon governance system. The authors hosted a workshop, and invited representatives participating in each of the organisational fields to highlight the contentious conversations within their field. The authors facilitated an across‐field exploration of whether and how to achieve accuracy, consistency and certainty in carbon accounting. Findings - It was found that there are tensions between accuracy, consistency and certainty in carbon accounting both within and across organisational fields. Framing the evolution of carbon accounting as negotiation between these goals across fields yields powerful implications for addressing current challenges in carbon accounting. Practical implications - The authors provide guidance to policymakers on how to recognise legitimate uncertainty in carbon management science, manage the cost‐benefits of policy and reporting mechanisms, and ensure actual greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Originality/value - This paper exploits the unusual approach of integrating carbon accounting across levels of analysis, from the molecular level through processes, organisations, industries and nations. This approach should help scientific, corporate and policy decision‐makers move towards a more fully functioning carbon accounting system.

Suggested Citation

  • Frances Bowen & Bettina Wittneben, 2011. "Carbon accounting," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(8), pages 1022-1036, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaajpp:v:24:y:2011:i:8:p:1022-1036
    DOI: 10.1108/09513571111184742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Rong He & Le Luo & Abul Shamsuddin & Qingliang Tang, 2022. "Corporate carbon accounting: a literature review of carbon accounting research from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(1), pages 261-298, March.
    3. Ayman Hassan Bazhair & Saleh F. A. Khatib & Hamzeh Al Amosh, 2022. "Taking Stock of Carbon Disclosure Research While Looking to the Future: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Thereza RS de Aguiar, 2018. "Turning accounting for emissions rights inside out as well as upside down," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 36(1), pages 139-159, February.
    5. Morgane Le Breton & Franck Aggeri, 2016. "Studying performation: the arrangement of speech, calculation and writing acts within dispositifs," Post-Print halshs-01290800, HAL.
    6. Timo Busch & Matthew Johnson & Thomas Pioch, 2022. "Corporate carbon performance data: Quo vadis?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(1), pages 350-363, February.
    7. Haslam, Colin & Butlin, John & Andersson, Tord & Malamatenios, John & Lehman, Glen, 2014. "Accounting for carbon and reframing disclosure: A business model approach," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 200-211.
    8. Ván, Hajnalka, 2012. "Environmental Accounting – A New Challenge for the Accounting System," Public Finance Quarterly, Corvinus University of Budapest, vol. 57(4), pages 437-452.
    9. Wolf, Steven A. & Ghosh, Ritwick, 2020. "A practice-centered analysis of environmental accounting standards: integrating agriculture into carbon governance," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    10. Andreea Mihaela HINT(?TEFAN) & Dan Ioan TOPOR & Andreea MARIN-PANTELESCU, 2019. "Legislative Environment And The Importance Of Accounting Environmental Costs In The Lighting Body Industry," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 13(1), pages 374-385, November.
    11. Tauringana, Venancio & Chithambo, Lyton, 2015. "The effect of DEFRA guidance on greenhouse gas disclosure," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 425-444.
    12. Morgane Le Breton & Franck Aggeri, 2018. "Counting before acting? The performativity of carbon accounting called into question - Calculation acts and dispositifs in a big French construction company," Post-Print hal-01866971, HAL.

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