Carbon accounting framework for decarbonising: a fair value measurement approach for financial reporting in India

To impose the liability on polluters instead of externalising to society, present study aims to identify the variables affecting fair value measurement of carbon footprints price to disclose in accounting reports and to examine the relationship between identified factors and carbon footprints price. Exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis was employed to specify the construct's independence and ability of independent variables to predict fair carbon footprints price in India. Five out of six independent factors, polluters pay principle, social cost of carbon, atmospheric damage, mandatory carbon reporting and corporate sustainability, in the proposed model were predictive of the fair value measurement of carbon footprints price and supported the proposed model. The study recommends that corporations should follow full-cost accounting principle to reflect the actual damage caused to society and environment. The study provides practical implications for policymakers, accounting professionals and government to streamline the mandatory carbon pricing accounting standard.