Environmental Financial Reporting

Abstract

This paper examines amongst other issues how accounting system and the management of environment information can be oriented towards the goals of improving corporate sustainability and eco-efficiency while promoting accountability of management activities. The problem of environmental financial reporting and the contemporary issues on environmental accounting is also examined. The paper concludes that, the general picture, which emerges from currents environment financial reporting, is that since disclosures of environmental information are voluntary; there is a diversity of reporting practice. While large companies tend to report more environmental information, medium-scale and small-scale businesses usually report little or no information on the environment; and these disclosures tend to be more qualitative rather than quantitative. Recommendations on ways in which accountants can contribute to environmental management are proffered.

Keywords: Environmental Reporting, Ecological Accounting, Financial Reporting, Environmental Protection

JEL Classification: M4