Session will bring together investment and finance and accounting professionals for a thought-provoking discussion on the gaps and needs surrounding climate information and reporting

Many stakeholders, including IFAC and ACCA, have advocated for relevant, reliable, and comparable sustainability-related information, including enhanced climate risk assessments and disclosures. Professional accountants have an essential role to play as companies strive to meet rapidly increasing demands from investors, policy-makers, and other stakeholders for enhanced information addressing the global climate crisis.

To better understand the information gap between business and investors and what might be done to address it, IFAC and ACCA are partnering to host a Climate Week NYC event, Plugging the Net-Zero Information Gap: The role of investors, accountants and capital markets, to be held virtually September 20, 2021 at 9:00am EDT.

The event will include a panel discussion moderated by Patrick Temple-West, Journalist, Financial Times, and feature:

• Merilee Buckley, Chief Accounting Officer, Etsy
• Richard Manley, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Investing, Global Leadership Team at CPP Investments
• Munazzeel Riasat, Chief Executive Officer, IBC Power Limited and ACCA membe

‘The significant impact of climate-related matters on organisations’ business models, cash flows, financial performance, and resiliency requires immediate attention not only due to increasing pressure from investors, regulators, and policy makers, but the urgency of the climate crisis itself,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “Climate scenario analysis and risk assessment can be complex, and accountants can help translate those risks and opportunities into numbers able to initiate much-needed action.

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA added: ‘Collaboration is key to tackling the existential threats and risks that face economies and societies due to climate change. Professional accountants are therefore an essential part of this necessary joined-up thinking to drive good decision-making, and make the necessary links with the investment community and other stakeholders. Accountants’ skills and knowledge around integrated reporting, encompassing capitals be they natural, financial, manufactured, human, social/relationship or intellectual, have a vital role in this global effort.’

Register now to join online 20 September 2021. A recording of the event will be available after the event.

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For media enquiries, contact:

Jennifer DiClerico

Head of Communications, IFAC

+1-212-286-9344

jenniferdiclerico@ifac.org

Helen Thompson

E: helen.thompson@accaglobal.com

M: +44 (0)7725 498 654

Twitter @ACCANews

accaglobal.com

About Climate Week NYC

Hosted annually by international non-profit the Climate Group in conjunction with the United Nations, and in partnership with the COP26 and the City of New York, Climate Week NYC is a global opportunity to come together to accelerate climate action and assess progress ahead of COP26.

About ACCA

We’re a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions, who work across a wide range of sectors and industries. We uphold the highest professional and ethical values.

We offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. Our qualifications and learning opportunities develop strategic business leaders, forward-thinking professionals with the financial, business and digital expertise essential for the creation of sustainable organisations and flourishing societies.

Since 1904, being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. In December 2020, we made commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals which we are measuring and will report on in our annual integrated report.

We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society and is vital helping economies, organisations and individuals to grow and prosper. It does this by creating robust trusted financial and business management, combating corruption, ensuring organisations are managed ethically, driving sustainability, and providing rewarding career opportunities.

And through our cutting-edge research, we lead the profession by answering today’s questions and preparing for the future. We’re a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more at accaglobal.com

About IFAC

IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies.

Comprised of over 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, IFAC represents more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce. Over four decades, IFAC has represented the global profession and supported the development, adoption, and implementation of international standards that underpin the contributions of today’s global accountancy profession.

IFAC has maintained a long-term approach to building and strengthening a global accountancy profession that supports transparent, accountable, and sustainable organizations, financial markets, and economies. More information is here www.ifac.org