Review and Reflections

Social and Environmental Accounting is the procedure of communicating the social and environmental effects of organizations' economic activities. As such it involves increasing the responsibility of organizations, beyond the conventional role of providing a financial account to the holders of capital. The last years have witnessed an extension in interest in social and environmental affairs. Social accounting aspires have taken place in about total ignorance of the activities and evolutions in non-accounting bodies but today many companies have developed environmental management and accounting systems. This paper provides a perception of the social and environmental accounting in various organisations. Literature review of the papers examining social and environmental matters published in several national and international journals permits the identification of the key matters, methodologies and research questions which have been principal in the social environmental accounting research (SEAR) area. Present Social and environmental matters such as climate change and greenhouse gas discharges affecting the global community. Social accounting is in this sense closely connected to the economic conception of externality. An alternative account of significant economic entities offers by social accounting. It has the potential to uncover the stress between pursuing economic profit and the pursuit of social and environmental purposes. Eventually, some future research directions are recognized and enumerates the scope of further research.

Accountants have an important contribution to make to the debate surrounding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). While traditionally it has been financial accountability that is the remit of accountants, for many years now, accounting academics have been at the forefront of research and theory on social and environmental accounting and, more recently, practitioners, professional associations and others have taken an interest in the topic. This chapter demonstrates that accountants’ interest in CSR is much more wide ranging than simply an interest in the financial impacts on society. Some writers envision a role for accountants in improving social justice and contributing to social and environmental benefits on a global level. The chapter concentrates initially on research about how firms report on social and environmental issues. It then provides a review of some of the research undertaken on the extent of that reporting and on accountants’ perspectives on CSR and sustainability more generally. Finally, it outlines the involvement of the profession of accounting in adoption and promotion of corporate social and environmental responsibility.

Competing Discourses in Social and Environmental Accounting: An Overview of the Conceptual Landscape

There is a need to integrate indicators relating to complex human–nature systems. This paper discussesthe scope and limitations of achieving such integration through the interim version of the system of integrated environmental and economic accounting (SEEA) published by the United Nations in 1993. It also briefly considers alternative or complementary approaches such as the National Accounting Matrix including Environmental Accounts (NAMEA) developed in the Netherlands. Issues that arise when applying SEEA to the marine fisheries sector are discussed, and examples are given of indicators for the marine fisheries sector derived from the SEEA and NAMEA.

The study aimed at explaining the impact of environmental cost accounting and disclosure on decision making for sustainable development, and presenting proposals for its development. (100) questionnaires were analyzed and (100) questionnaires were used. T test was used for each sample to test the hypotheses of the study. The researchers found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the environmental costs and their disclosure, and the development of awareness among officials, managers and employees, which is reflected in the impact of achieving sustainable development, and showing a statistically significant relationship between, and it was found that there is no application of environmental costs and disclosure of environmental costs and disclosure and the extent of their environmental application. The study suggested some recommendations to develop the application of accounting for the lack of qualified human cadres, and finally on the environmental costs and disclosure to provide information at the company on the tenth of Ramadan, the study recommends the need to be applied Cost accounting and environmental disclosure procedures help to make good decisions. With an accounting system in the maize company that provides a lot of information to be disclosed in the financial statements, the study recommends that the cost accounting and environmental disclosure procedures in the company should be applied so as to improve the fairness of the financial statements, And the financial section of the importance of the application of costs and environmental disclosure of the industrial company of corn, and it also recommends the need for training modules in environmental accounting and the need for the adequacy of staff working in the accounting department who are fully familiar with environmental accounting.

The article addresses the issues of introducing the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) in Russia, specifically the problem of creating the asset accounts for forest resources. It is observed that the introduction of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2012 is implemented in several stages. Currently, the forest resources that are subject to accounting in Russia include only timber and hunting resources. The authors underscore the need to expand the list of natural resources for which asset accounts are maintained by incorporating new asset categories: forest lands and recreational forest resources. To create asset accounts for each new category, the article suggests typologies of resources, indicators, their measurement parameters and the calculation formulae. The article also provides references to the information sources and offers asset accounts drafts for each type of resource. Comparing the experiences of creating respective asset accounts in the Republic of Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic reveals similarities in approaches and potential for enhancing international cooperation. The authors recommend expanding the set of environmental-economic accounts to embrace other forest resources, which have an economic value and play a significant role in maintaining environmental balance, while developing a common methodological basis for assessing the availability of these resources and trends in their use. The authors conclude that environmental economic accounting will considerably expand the opportunities for sound managerial decision-making, both at the national and international levels, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of social responsibility on environmental accounting practices among companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. Methodology: The research employed a descriptive-correlational design, focusing on a sample of 198 financial managers selected from a population of 589 through simple random sampling and Cochran's formula. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25 and PLS version 3 for structural equation modeling. Both library and field methods were used for data collection. Findings: The results indicated that social responsibility significantly impacts environmental accounting, with a path coefficient of 0.401. The determination coefficient (R²) was 0.219, and the adjusted determination coefficient (R² Adjusted) was 0.213, indicating a moderate fit. The normality test showed that social responsibility data were normal, while environmental accounting data were not. Convergent and discriminant validity tests confirmed the reliability and validity of the measurement model. Conclusion: The study found a significant relationship between social responsibility and environmental accounting. Despite the importance of environmental costs, traditional accounting systems often neglect these costs. The adoption of environmental accounting practices can bridge the gap between environmental managers and accountants, enhancing both financial and environmental performance. Policymakers, managers, and regulators should consider integrating social responsibility into strategic planning and regulatory frameworks to promote sustainable business practices.

1 Adopting Environmental Management Accounting: EMA as a Value-adding Activity.- I Conceptual Developments and Tools of Ema.- 2 The Sustainability Balanced Scorecard as a Framework to Link Environmental Management Accounting with Strategic Management.- 3 Environmental Cost Accounting: Classifying and Comparing Selected Approaches.- 4 The Professionalisation of Environmental and Social Reporting - What has it Achieved.- II Policies and Initiatives for the Promotion of Ema.- 5 Austrian Pilot Projects on Environmental Management Accounting Following the UN DSD EMA Methodology.- 6 Two Governmental Initiatives on Environmental Management Accounting and Corporate Practices in Japan.- 7 The Danish Green Accounts: Experiences and Internal Effects.- 8 Environmental Management Accounting, Eco-Efficiency Profiles, and Effluent Charges for Costa Rican Coffee Mills.- III Developments in Ema Adoption in Practice.- 9 Environmental Management Accounting for Staff Appraisal: Evidence from Australia, Germany and Japan.- 10 Environmental Performance Measurement through Accounting Systems: A Survey of UK Practice.- 11 Cost Management in the Textile Chain: Reducing Environmental Impacts ana Costs for Green Products.- 12 Institutional Changes and Environmental Management Accounting: Decentralisation and Liberalisation.- 13 Introducing Environmental Management Accounting into Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.- 14 EMA in SMEs: Ten Italian Case Studies.- 15 Green Success: Process-based Environmental Cost Accounting - Implementation in SME's in Germany.- IV Effects of Ema.- 16 The Influence of ISO 14001 and EMAS Certification on Environmental and Economic Performance of Firms: an Empirical Analysis.- 17 Economic Valuation of the Environment: an Institutional Perspective.

The adoption of corporate social responsibility active learning methodology with management accounting students

This study aims to explore and interpret corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and accountability practices toward sustainability at ‎Hotel Yusro, a sharia-based hotel in Indonesia, from an Islamic accounting perspective. This research employs a qualitative approach using ‎an interpretive paradigm. Data were collected through participatory observations, in-depth interviews with key informants involved in CSR ‎implementation and financial management, and analysis of CSR-related documents and reports. The data were analysed using triangulation ‎techniques to ensure validity and reliability. The findings indicate that CSR practices at Hotel Yusro are implemented based on Islamic ‎values and demonstrate convergence with conventional CSR typologies, particularly in the dimensions of economic, social, and ‎environmental accountability. Islamic values enrich CSR practices by strengthening accountability mechanisms, especially in CSR budgeting, ‎reporting, and disclosure, positioning CSR not only as a business strategy but also as a form of ethical responsibility. The study also finds ‎that CSR expenditures are recognised as operating expenses and managed through internal reporting mechanisms that reflect transparency ‎and responsibility toward stakeholders. This study contributes to the development of accounting science, particularly in the field of CSR ‎reporting and accountability toward sustainability within Islamic-oriented hospitality organisations. The findings provide empirical insights ‎into how Islamic accounting values can strengthen sustainability-oriented accountability practices in the hospitality sector.

The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Energy (SEEA-Energy) is a multi-purpose, conceptual framework for organizing energy-related statistical information. It supports analysis of the role of energy within the economy and of the relationship between energy-related activities and the environment.

The aim of this study is to propose a method for accounting of the recreation-related cultural ecosystem services (RRES) provided by protected areas of category National Parks оn the example of Pirin National Park (Pirin NP), Bulgaria in accordance with the System of Environmental Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA) framework and the System of National Accounts (SNA) principles. The suggested Tourist consumption products – based method measure the value of actual recreation-related ecosystem services (RRES) flow as a difference between demand and supply of RRES provided by a protected area. It is based on respective indicators: Total tourism products consumption by the visitors of the NP (demand) and Expenditures for maintenance of the asset’s ecosystems (supply). The results show that the average value of RRES flow is estimated on BGN 170 Million for the period 2015 – 2019. The proposed method for valuation of RRES in protected areas of category National Park gives reliable results, based on a minimum of data which are public or easily accessible.

Land-use change is a leading driver of climate change and biodiversity loss. In this context, Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) is emerging as a tool for assessing impacts on- and dependencies from- nature at various levels, including businesses in their direct operations and along value chains. NCA can thus contribute to discussions of sustainability on how investments contribute to public and private value creation. While such analyses have been undertaken in resource extraction industries such as mining and forestry, real estate applications are scarce, and prospective modelling is increasingly required in order to inform future land use decisions that will reverse biodiversity loss alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In this study, we applied NCA methods to three land-use scenarios for a 1,300-hectare corporate estate in Mauritius, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) which has consistently attracted between half and two-thirds of its foreign direct investment in the real estate sector over the recent years. Notably, a financially maximising urban scenario developed over 25 years (2025-2049) would marginally improve the watershed ecosystem condition (calculated as per the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounting, Ecosystem Accounting - SEEA-EA), but halve societal value via ecosystem services compared to a do-nothing scenario. Business value, on the other hand, would be increased 37-fold. In contrast, a low-density agro-residential development scenario would grow business value 20-fold and societal value 3-fold. The findings highlight the importance of assessments in both biophysical and monetary terms, since the disclosure of impacts on ecosystem condition alone may mislead stakeholders on the societal value of corporate projects. Consequently, the study underscores the methodology’s potential to complement existing environmental assessment tools and inform land use planning at both national and subnational levels, with promising implications for enlightening discussions around value creation for the public or common good from the perspective of sustainable land utilisation.

Ecosystem accounting provides a standardised framework for evaluating the economic value of ecosystems to society. Following the international accounting standard, System of Environmental Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA), we present first marine ecosystem extent pilot accounts for Finland, based on three habitat classification systems: the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU Habitats Directive (HD) and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE). We assess their condition using indicators from the Water Framework Directive, which measure ecosystem quality through biological, ecological and physico-chemical parameters. We found that MSFD habitats have the largest extent, exceeding the areas covered by HD and RLE habitats. A large portion of the assessed habitats, particularly in the inner archipelago and shallow areas close to shore, were in poor condition, reflecting the eutrophication status of coastal waters. We identify considerable challenges in reporting marine ecosystem extent and condition accounts, which most likely recur across (European) countries. For instance, MSFD habitats are rather coarse for accurately reporting ecosystem extents, potentially overlooking declines in ecosystem condition, while HD habitats cover only a subset of habitats. RLE habitats provide more ecological detail, although they may be less compatible with classifications used in other countries. Our research provides a baseline for future ecosystem accounts and emphasises the need for improved data and methods to enhance the accuracy and comparability of marine ecosystem assessments. Additionally, we discuss the compatibility of SEEA EA with EU policy reporting requirements, the spatial scale of reporting ecosystem extents and condition and highlight the limitations of current habitat classifications in representing the full diversity of marine ecosystems. The findings underscore the importance of integrating multiple habitat classification systems, development of crosswalks between habitat classifications and monitoring frameworks to ensure comprehensive and accurate ecosystem accounts.

Due to the growing attention of society to the conservation of natural capital and ecosystem services, ecosystem accounting is becoming a significant tool for achieving sustainable development goals both at the national and international levels. Environmental accounting improves the way natural capital and ecosystem services are identified and valued. The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting is an international standard accounting developed by the United Nations. The ecosystem accounting system generates environmental and economic reports necessary for effective management decisions and external disclosure of environmental information. The possibility of environmental accounting lies in the development of systems that integrate information rather than create disconnected, discrete repositories of information. With the introduction of an ecosystem accounting system, it is possible to jointly review and compare disparate sources of information reflecting the state of natural capital and ecosystem services. The introduction of a system of ecosystem accounting contributes to the achievement of sustainable development goals. The result of the implementation of the eco-system accounting system is a decision support system. The author proposes to consider the system of environmental-ecosystem accounting as a reliable and effective platform for providing more complete information on the availability and sufficiency of certain types of ecosystem services and natural capital.