Study information

Sustainability Accounting and Reporting

Module titleSustainability Accounting and Reporting
Module codeBEP3003
Academic year2025/6
Credits15
Module staff

Simon Ashby (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

30

Module description

This module offers a comprehensive overview of the most current developments in environmental and sustainability accounting. You will learn aboutdifferent accountingand reportingtoolsfor aiding organisations with the attainment of sustainable development goals. You will learn to recognise the potential and limitations of different methods, with a focus on integrated thinking or the concurrent management of and reporting on economic, environmental and social factors relevant for an organisation’s value generation. Through practical exercises,you will familiarise yourselves with the valuation risk assessment and proactive management of environmental and social capitals including related accounting and reporting techniques. Through case studies, you will discuss worldwide examples including businesses, cities and countries.  

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to introduce students to multi-capital accounting, management and reporting techniques with a focus on theory and practice. The module covers: 

  • The relevance of integrated thinking or the concurrent management of economic,environmentaland social imperatives in business settings for generating value for an organisation, its investors and other key stakeholders; 

  • Emerging issues in sustainability accounting and reporting including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, guidelines published by the Global Reporting Initative and developments being driven by the International Sustainability Standards Boards and Value Reporting Foundation; 

  • The interconnection between accounting practices and sustainable development; 

  • The role played by those charged with and organisation’s governance in a broader sustainability setting and 

  • Developments in accounting, finance management and finance designed to aidbusiness decision-making as it relatesto social and environmental issues. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Examine the potential and limitations of monetary and non-monetary accounting, finance and valuation methods
  • 2. Compare and contrast different techniques for accounting for and reporting on multiple types of capital

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Employ emerging skills and techniques developed to account for and manage an organisation’s economic, environmental and social capitals
  • 4. Recognise the relevance of different accounting and reporting techniques for business decision-making

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Improve ability to recognise diverse perspectives, in order to communicate on interconnected world issues and sustainable decisionsi
  • 6. Strengthen problem-solving by applying analytical tools for ecosystem service valuation to a range of real-life scenarios to offer practical and timely solutions

Syllabus plan

Topics discussed on the module include (not exclusively): 

 

  • Integrated thinking and reporting including reporting and management guidelines by the Global Reporting Initiative, Natural Capital Coalition, Value Reporting Foundation and International Sustainability Standards Board 

  • Codes of best practice for the governance of environmental and social practices 

  • An overview of different accounting methods for dealing with multi-capital systems 

  • Case studies applications 

  • Data and key findings for countries  

  • Strategies for creating regenerative economies  

 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
22128

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities11Lectures (11 x 1 hours)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities11Seminars (11 x 1 hours)
Guided Independent Study128Reading, research and assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Seminars discussion 1 x hour seminar 1-6Verbal

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay 401,500 words 1, 2, 5 Written, individual
Analytical Report 602,000 words 3, 4, 6 Written, individual

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Essay (40%) Essay (40%) 1, 2, 5 August re-assessment period
Report (60%) Report (60%) 3, 4, 6 August re-assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The following books are a useful resource for this course: 

 

 

 

 

  • Hanley, N. and Barbier, E.B. (2009). Pricing Nature; Cost-Benefit Analysis and Environmental Policy. Edward Elgar  

  • Wackernagel, M. and Beyers, B. (2019). Ecological Footprint Managing our Biocapacity Budget. Global Footprint Network  

 

Web-based and electronic resources:  

 

  • ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages 

 

Other resources:  

 

A more comprehensive bibliography will be available to students taking this course. 

Key words search

Natural Capital;  Social Capital; Integrated Thinking; Ecological Footprint; Sustainable Development

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

BEP1070 Accounting or BEP2190 Understanding Financial Statements 

Module co-requisites

none

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

08/05/2024