Report Finds Challenges and Gaps in Emissions Target and Transition Plans
Today, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) released a
new report providing insight into climate-related disclosure. Getting to Net Zero: A Global Review of Corporate Disclosures focuses
on corporate emissions reduction reporting. It finds that inconsistency
and incomparability of target disclosures may pose challenges for
investors, regulators, and other stakeholders who require actionable
information. The report’s findings strongly support the movement in
global policy towards rapidly enhancing the usefulness of disclosures on
climate-related targets and transition plans.
Getting to Net Zero
is based on 2020 corporate reporting and provides a useful benchmark
for climate disclosures which are under development by the International
Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group
(EFRAG), among other initiatives. The report also comes during the COP27
conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where delegates from over 190
countries, many of which have proposed or set net-zero targets for
around mid-century, gather to discuss and progress climate actions.
“With
COP27, this is perfect time to dig into what is being disclosed and
explore how emissions disclosures need to become more decision-useful,”
said IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey. “The accountancy profession is well
positioned to drive improvements in climate reporting, ensuring
information is trusted and decision-useful for management and boards,
investors, and all stakeholders.”
Some key takeaways from Getting to Net Zero include:
- 66% of the large, exchange-traded companies IFAC reviewed included some type of emissions reduction target in their corporate disclosures.
- These emissions targets used a variety of terminology and only 39% incorporated Scope 3 emissions.
- Most companies (90%) who disclose emissions targets also provide a disclosure about how they plan to reach their target.
- Only 24% of companies with a plan include some past expenditure or future estimate of expenditures to implement plan actions.
IFAC
© IFAC - International Federation of Accountants
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