The IAASB is holding a range of engaging webinars and events to enhance understanding of the newly proposed International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements—and encourage participation in the public consultation.

1. Amplified Engagement through Stakeholder Survey: Recognizing the diverse perspectives and levels of expertise within our stakeholder community, an alternative avenue for feedback has been developed. In addition to the comprehensive Explanatory Memorandum and Response Template, the IAASB has created a stakeholder survey. This user-friendly tool allows the IAASB to obtain the views of stakeholders who may not ordinarily respond to IAASB consultations, including preparers of sustainability information, those with the oversight of its preparation, investors and other users of the sustainability information, sustainability reporting standard setters and members of the academic community. Survey responses will be aggregated and analyzed in conjunction with other feedback received.

2. Webinars for Enhanced Understanding: Learn more about ISSA 5000 at these dedicated IAASB webinars for practitioners and regulators, offered at two different times to allow for global participation.

• Dates & Times: September 6, 1-2:30 pm ET and September 7, 8-9:30 am ET
• Register Here for September 6
• Register Here for September 7

3. Empowering Global Exchange at Notable Events: Mark your calendars for these events that offer opportunities for learning, sharing, and networking.

• Corporate Disclosures webinar: Introducing a new global standard for sustainability assurance
  • Date & Time: September 22 at 3 pm BST / 10 am ET
  • Register Here
• IFAC Sustainability Summit–Asia Pacific: A collaborative endeavor with the ASEAN Federation of Accountants, Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants, South Asian Federation of Accountants, and Jeju Group.
  • Dates & Times:
    • September 27, 8:30-10:30 am Mumbai / 1:00-3:00 pm Melbourne / 10:00 am-12:00 pm Jakarta / 11:00 am-1:00 pm Singapore / 12:00-2:00 pm Tokyo / 4:00-6:00 am London / 11:00 pm-1:00 am New York
      • Register Here for day one, September 27
    • September 28, 10:30 am-1:00 pm Mumbai / 3:00–5:30 pm Melbourne / 12:00-2:30 pm Jakarta / 1:00-3:30 pm Singapore / 2:00-4:30 pm Tokyo / 6:00-8:30 am London / 1:00–3:30 am New York
      • Register Here for day two, September 28
• IFAC & Accountancy Europe In-Person Event: Preparing for High-Quality Sustainability Assurance Engagements
  • Date, Time & Location: October 3 at 2 pm CEST in Brussels
  • Register Here

For further details and updates, visit the IAASB website: iaasb.org/ISSA5000

Mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) emission disclosures are on the way in various jurisdictions, and fortunately, meeting the evolving GHG reporting standards may not be as expensive or difficult as some companies fear. When it comes to GHG emissions accounting especially, sustainability reporting can function as an extension of existing financial reporting, and companies of any size can take immediate steps to ensure their data is in order and that they’re reporting robust information when the new standards and rules go into effect.

To explore aligning GHG emissions accounting with financial reporting systems and processes to deliver decision-useful GHG reporting, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC) present a Climate Week NYC event, Achieving Investor-Grade GHG Reporting: The Role of Accounting and Finance Professionals. The event will be held virtually September 19 at 9:00am ET and feature experts discussing their experiences, challenges, and best practices in collaborating with sustainability professionals and others to improve GHG reporting that satisfies both organizational and investor needs.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Stathis Gould, Director, IFAC and feature:

• Eugene Brink, Vice President, Finance Transformation, GE Vernova
• Jimmy Greer, ESG Specialist, Datamaran
• Mike Harris, ESG Services Leader at PwC Canada; Chair, Sustainability Assurance Committee, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AASB)
• Jane Thostrup Jagd, Director, Net Zero Finance, We Mean Business Coalition; Former Lead Compliance Officer at Maersk and Ørsted
• Elizabeth Seeger, Board Member, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

“Professional accountants and finance professionals play a crucial role in providing decision-useful and trusted GHG reporting to management and capital markets,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “With an integrated mindset that connects financial and emissions data, accountants advance progress towards our most urgent shared goal: achieving climate commitments.” 

Register for the online event September 19 at 9:00am ET. 

About IFAC 
IFAC 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. IFAC is comprised of 180 members and associates in more than 135 jurisdictions, representing millions of professional accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About WMBC
We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC) is a global nonprofit coalition working with the world’s most influential businesses to take action on climate change. Together we catalyze business leadership to drive policy ambition and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our mission is to ensure that the world economy is on track to avoid dangerous climate change by 2020 while delivering sustainable growth and prosperity for all.