Clean Energy Future

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia is taking steps to help transform the business landscape in Australia and move to a clean energy future.

Through its 59,000-strong membership base and extended professional links, the Institute provides up-to-date information and advice to its members on the carbon price and its implications for business, including carbon accounting and reporting obligations.

This information is helping Chartered Accountants and businesses across Australia incorporate new skills and knowledge into their regular operations, as well as gain a competitive edge in an evolving business environment.

According to the Institute’s manager of sustainability and regional Australia, Geraldine Magarey FCA, the Business Briefing Series – 20 Issues on the Business Implications of a Carbon Cost report provides the Institute’s membership with a framework to use in navigating their business or practice through the changes.

‘It covers issues such as how to quantify the impacts, identify strategies, risks and opportunities, and how to communicate information to relevant stakeholders,’ she says.

Demand for these materials, as well as for ongoing skills and training has been strong, with a sustainability stream having been added to the Institute’s Business Forum series conducted in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth earlier this year.

‘In these sessions, topics explored included compliance and legal obligations, who is affected by the changes, and what organisations need to do to reduce their carbon footprint and stay competitive,’ she says.

‘All sustainability sessions were extremely well attended.’

For more information on how the Institute is helping its members and businesses around Australia make the transition to a cleaner energy future, please visit the Insitiute of Chartered Accountants Australia website.