August 2020
The first-ever Green Finance Education Charter has been launched by the UK government, the Green Finance Institute and 12 leading professional bodies including ACCA, ICAEW and ICAS.
The charter is a significant commitment to integrate green finance and sustainability into core syllabuses, new qualifications and CPD for members.
Green Finance Institute CEO, Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas (pictured), explained: “Green is one of the most exciting, creative and fastgrowing areas of finance and the skills required to drive the agenda will be increasingly sought after as the global economy shifts to netzero carbon.”
The charter says accountancy bodies must commit (by the end of the year) to:
• Engage members on issues related to climate change and environmental issues, with the aim of raising their profile within each profession.
• Curate, develop and promote relevant resources to members on green and sustainable finance.
• Encourage the adoption of relevant global and national standards, frameworks and guidance, including the Principles for Responsible Investment, and the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Helen Brand, ACCA CEO, stressed: “ACCA commits to continuing to ensure green finance is an integral part of our world-class qualification and members’ CPD.
“After all, it’s through professional education that accountant and their membership bodies like ACCA can support the transition to a low-carbon world.”
Meanwhile, ICAEW CEO Michael Izza said this should be a decade of transition for business, and accountants should encourage companies to build sustainability into their business models and help fight climate change.
