Four Key Actions for Young Professionals to Drive Sustainability Reporting

The global challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequities demand urgent and inclusive action. As enablers of corporate decision-making and accountability, accountants are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between sustainability risks and opportunities and business outcomes.  

The recent issuance of international standards for sustainability reporting and assurance and related updates to the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and IFAC’s International Education Standards set the stage for accountants to embed sustainability-related financial disclosures at the center of investor and stakeholder decision-making.  

The IFAC Young Leaders Collective calls on our colleagues and members of our generation of accountancy professionals to stand up and lead the implementation of these standards in the organizations you serve. The four actions described below provide a roadmap to position yourself at the center of this global movement.  

Ignite Your Curiosity and Hone Your Skills

  • Build knowledge and skills: Learn through courses, workshops, informal learning, and seek practical experience.
  • Get certified: Obtain formal sustainability-related certifications to build competence and expertise.
  • Stay current: Read sustainability reports, follow key updates from regulators and standards-setting bodies, and analyze industry trends.

Stronger Together: Engage, Connect, and Collaborate

  • Engage with peers and society on key sustainability issues through forums, events and publications.
  • Connect with industry leaders through networking events, find mentorship opportunities and build a strong community of changemakers.
  • Collaborate on initiatives and challenges with sustainability professionals and experts.

Advocate and Promote the Importance of Sustainability Reporting

  • Share content highlighting the significance of implementing sustainable initiatives through online platforms and other mediums.
  • Showcase sustainability reporting success stories, case studies, and best practices from different sectors and industries.
  • Interact with businesses through key forums to discuss and encourage their sustainability goals and strategic plans.

Adopt a Tech-Driven Mindset

  • Prioritize technology-driven solutions such as AI and data analytics in approaching sustainability reporting.
  • Commit to lifelong learning to stay ahead of the latest technological advancements.
  • Promote innovative solutions with your professional community to accelerate sustainability reporting efforts.
  • Diving Deeper into the Four Key Actions
    • Ignite Your Curiosity and Hone Your Skills

      Building a strong knowledge base is crucial for understanding the complexities of sustainability standards and ensuring accurate implementation. Attend workshops or webinars hosted by sustainability disclosure standard setters and professional accountancy organizations, enroll in courses from platforms like Coursera or edX, and participate in informal study groups to enhance your practical understanding. Obtaining formal certifications like the IFRS Foundation’s FSA® Credential or the GRI Standards Certification validates your expertise and makes you more credible in the field. Staying current is equally important; set up Google Alerts for sustainability news, follow organizations like the ISSB, EFRAG, and GRI on social media, and subscribe to newsletters to keep informed about the latest trends and updates.

    • Stronger Together: Engage, Connect, and Collaborate

      Engaging with your community fosters a collaborative environment where ideas and best practices can be shared and developed. Join sustainability-focused forums, attend relevant industry conferences, and participate in events to discuss sustainability challenges and solutions. Building a network of like-minded professionals provides support, guidance, and career development opportunities. Attend networking events, use LinkedIn to connect with sustainability professionals, seek mentorship, and offer to mentor others. Collaboration leads to more innovative solutions; volunteer for sustainability projects, use project management best practices to enhance the impact of your projects, and reach out to experts to gain hands-on experience. 

    • Advocate and Promote the Importance of Sustainability Reporting

      Raising awareness about sustainability practices can inspire others to take action and support the cause. Write blog posts or articles and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn, create vlogs explaining the importance of sustainability reporting and share them on YouTube, and use social media to share infographics and news. Highlighting successful initiatives can motivate others to adopt similar practices. Collect and document case studies, share them through presentations and social media, and host webinars to discuss best practices. Engaging directly with companies can influence their sustainability strategies. Attend annual general meetings, ask informed questions about sustainability goals, and follow up by sharing insights and encouraging ongoing discussions. 

    • Adopt a Tech-Driven Mindset

      Technology can enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of sustainability reporting. Learn about emerging technologies and their applications in sustainability, experiment with tools like AI-powered data analytics platforms and attend tech-focused webinars to stay informed. Lifelong learning ensures proficiency in the latest tools and technologies. Enroll in CPD courses related to technology and sustainability, attend industry conferences and tech expos, and join professional organizations offering CPD opportunities.