Climate change and sustainability are key challenges for our society and economy today. Governments and non-governmental organisations around the world have engaged in various climate change and adaptation policy initiatives to ensure survival and prosperity of current and future generations. This course complements ACCT5961 and covers the assurance of climate change and sustainability information disclosed by various industry sectors and businesses. Established and proposed assurance frameworks, both within Australia and around the world, are reviewed. In particular emphasis is placed on the assurance framework and standards of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, although these are compared and contrasted with alternative assurance standards such as the ISO series. Key issues to be covered include: the demand for assurance relating to climate change and sustainability; the debate pertaining to the skills and qualifications required for such assurance engagements; maintaining quality controls; the use of subject matter experts; as well as the structure and content of the assurance report. The current trends in reporting and assurance relating to carbon emissions in a regulated and voluntary setting are also covered.
Student are advised to undertake ACCT5961 before or concurrently with ACCT 5962.