Our impact

Our first network, launched in 2008, the Accounting Bodies Network (ABN) brings together accountancy professional bodies from around the world. Members share knowledge, collaborate to overcome common barriers and champion the need for change within the accounting community.

“We’re fortunate to work with partners all around the world to effect change and (the A4S) Accounting Bodies Network is among the most valuable and forward looking of collaborations.” Barry Dempsey, Chief Executive, Chartered Accountants Ireland

Key achievements

• Issued a Call to Action in 2020 to galvanize the accounting profession in response to the climate emergency and launched the #OurClimateCounts movement.
• Led a collective commitment by member accounting bodies to achieve net zero and to help their members do the same in their own organizations.
• Published a wide variety of guidance, including on net zero, navigating the reporting landscape and actions for SMEs.

Looking ahead: key actions for accounting bodies

• Address the shortage of sustainability skills by building sustainability into learning,  development and engagement programmes.
• Accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies to enhance decision making and reporting, helping to close data gaps and improve quality.
• Provide leadership and support for accountants as they navigate and drive change in the way that the global economy operates, enabling effective collaboration and a systems-based approach.

Launched in 2018, the A4S Asset Owners Network brings together the chairs of pension funds, their investment committees, pooling partners and endowments. With a UK Chapter, and a newly-formed European-mainland Chapter, the network provides a confidential and commercial-free space for chairs to share and learn from peers.

“The A4S Asset Owner Network has provided me with a unique space to explore – in an open and non-commercial setting – some of the most significant challenges that I face as a chair of a large pension scheme.” Russell Picot, Chair of the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme and Chair of the UK Chapter of the A4S Asset Owners Network

Key achievements

• Grew the membership to over 45, with over US$1.3 trillion in combined assets under management.
• Helped pension boards to adopt and implement net zero targets and TCFD.
• Produced the ESG Toolkit for Pension Chairs and Trustees, which includes practical guidance and case studies.
• Convened a cross-markets collaborative effort to raise the bar on embedding sustainability into the bulk annuity process in the UK. Signatories to the Sustainability Principles Charter for the Bulk Annuity Process now represent 92% of the UK Bulk Annuity Market.

Looking ahead: key actions for asset owners

• Play a key role in investing in the technology, infrastructure and assets needed to achieve a rapid, just transition to a net zero, sustainable economy.
• Leverage their position across the investment chain to demand credible transition plans.
• Embed wider sustainability impact and adaptation measures into decision-making processes.
• Engage with governments and regulators to inform and be informed on transition plans.

A4S regularly convenes key actors across the global investment chain. We support capital market leaders to remove barriers, accelerate change and enhance their technical capability to integrate sustainability into financial decision making. A4S brings the investor and corporate conversation together at a very senior level.

Key achievements

• Convened representatives from across the global financial system at our Finance Leaders Summits, to identify actions that can deliver a global sustainable financial system and overcome the barriers to progress. This led to two reports: Financing Our Future and Accelerating the Transition, and a range of individual and collective actions.
• Increased the knowledge, confidence and motivation of our pension fund chair network – representing over US$1.3 trillion in assets under management – in embedding sustainability in their strategic and investment decision-making tools.
• Produced technical webinars, guidance and case studies for CFOs and finance teams in financial institutions on operationalizing net zero targets and on accounting for financed, facilitated and insurance-associated emissions.
• Launched the Moving Capital Markets project to identify the actions that will help close the transition finance gap in Canada.

Looking ahead: key actions for investors

• Set ambitious five-to-ten-year targets as part of a strategic ambition towards a 1.5°C, just, climate- and nature-resilient economy, with clear milestones to measure progress.
• Scale up transition finance and invest in the technology, infrastructure and assets needed.
• Demand credible transition plans from investee companies and clients.
• Embed wider sustainability impact and adaptation measures into decision-making processes.
• Engage with governments and regulators to support a well-informed policy process.

Launched in 2020, the Academy is a learning and implementation programme for senior finance leaders. The programme empowers and equips finance teams with the capabilities needed for their organizations to succeed in the face of environmental and social risks and opportunities.

Key achievements

• Supported 500+ participants from 200+ organizations through the A4S Academy.
• Created a powerful legacy for the programme – each participant completes a year-long implementation project to graduate.
• Empowered participants to drive change: 89% of participants report that their participation made an impact on sustainability integration in their organization within just one year, and 93% of participants felt empowered to drive change.

“There’s no better place than the A4S Academy to build a coalition of the willing … through the Academy you can turn the problems that face you today into fantastic opportunities.” Javier Echave, former Chief Financial Officer, Heathrow Airport Holdings

Looking ahead: key actions for finance teams

• Upskill to ensure that finance teams can help their organization to set, deliver and report on ambitious targets.
• Integrate sustainability into data systems and processes to ensure timely, relevant and accurate information to support decision making and reporting.
• Foster cross-organizational collaboration on sustainability to ensure effective governance and accountability. 

A4S has worked with business schools and the academic community since inception, helping to embed sustainability into finance and accounting research and teaching.

Key achievements

• Co-edited a book, Accounting for Sustainability: Practical Insights, in 2010 with leading academics. The book was evaluated as “outstanding” by the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• Convened a major event in 2015 with global business school leaders to inspire and drive change in sustainable business and finance research, resulting in a special edition of The Review of Financial Studies.
• Created the A4S International Case Competition for business and accounting students. Founded in 2018, this has also led to the formation of the group of schools we work with most closely – our Anchor Business Schools.

Looking ahead: key actions for business schools and academia

• Identify the shortfalls, barriers and required actions to progress academic research and education on sustainability.
• Upskill academics to enhance the quality of teaching of sustainability, enabling its integration into curricula across all disciplines.
• Encourage and promote research initiatives focused on sustainable finance and accounting.

A4S has worked over the past two decades to move sustainability reporting into the mainstream, engaging with companies, investors, standard setters, regulators and other stakeholders to make this a reality.  

Key achievements

• Founded the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), which has played a critical role in reshaping the reporting landscape including the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board, into which the IIRC is now incorporated.
• Initiated the creation of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and supported the adoption of the TCFD recommendations.
• Upskilled finance and accounting professionals through A4S’s programme of roundtables, workshops and webinars.
• Mobilized the CFO and investor community to support the adoption of global standards and engage in public consultations to inform their creation.

Looking ahead: key actions for regulators, policy makers and standard-setters

• Adopt global standards to achieve consistency and ensure businesses, investors and other stakeholders have the information they need.
• Promote practical reporting and assurance standards that facilitate decision making, enhance trust and further action towards sustainable outcomes.
• Support the scaling up of transition finance, working with investors to create clear, credible taxonomies, tools, regulations and data sets, with appropriate oversight to mitigate greenwashing.

The Finance for the Future Awards were created in 2012 to celebrate organizations and individuals who are driving the integration of sustainability into financial decision making.

A4S, ICAEW and Deloitte work in partnership on the awards with the ambition to share best practice as well as create and develop a community of leaders and recognized experts in this field.

The awards are free to enter and open to all organizations internationally, including businesses, charities, social enterprises and the public sector.

“The awards are a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the critical role finance teams play as catalysts for change and be a force for good.” 2023 awards entrant

Previous winners include

• Aviva Investors
• Burberry
• DHL Group
• Forico
• Mars
• Natura
• NatWest Group
• Salesforce
• SSE
• Unilever

Looking ahead:

The awards continue with new categories and judges. You can register your interest on the awards website www.financeforthefuture.org