AIA Certified 'On the Road to Net Zero'

The Association of International Accountants (AIA) is delighted to announce it has gained the ‘On the Road to Net Zero’ certification from AIA partner and climate action platform, Net Zero Now. This milestone signifies the start of our journey to becoming a Net Zero business.

As an initial step, AIA has calculated its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for the fiscal year 2022/23. Moving forward, we commit to transparently sharing our carbon footprint data annually.

Our commitments include:

• Taking proactive measures to achieve GHG reduction targets aimed at limiting global warming to below 1.5 °C.
• Offsetting residual emissions through the purchase and retirement of certified carbon offsets equivalent to our remaining emissions upon achieving our long-term reduction objectives.

 

AIA Chief Executive, Philip Turnbull commented:

“Achieving this certification marks meaningful progress in AIA’s continued commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability. By measuring our emissions and setting clear reduction targets, we are proud to lead by example. We encourage our members to take similar action by making use of the practical tools now available to them through our partnership with Net Zero Now – supporting them to begin or accelerate their journey towards Net Zero and embed sustainable practices within their firms.”

Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director of Net Zero Now said:

“It’s an absolute pleasure to have AIA join us on the journey to becoming a Net Zero business. Every accountancy practice across the UK now has the tools to act on the climate crisis. The accountancy profession has an enormous role to play in the transition of our economy to net zero, both through reducing its own emissions and in its influence on other businesses. I encourage more accountancy practices to get on board.”

Net Zero Now estimates that accountancy practices in the UK are responsible for nearly half a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, equivalent to the emissions of over 100,000 cars being driven for a year. While big firms can afford specialist sustainability advice, 80% of all accountants in practice work for a small or medium-sized firm and the process of going Net Zero is seen by most SMEs as being expensive, time-consuming and complex.

The Net Zero Accountancy Initiative helps businesses achieve Net Zero simply and cost effectively by using sector-specific protocols that set the industry standard. The Net Zero Accountancy protocols provide guidelines for any business in the sector to get to Net Zero. They have been peer reviewed by organisations representing the sector and sustainability and climate experts and are freely available at www.netzeronow.org.

AIA members are eligible for an exclusive discount when registering with Net Zero Now, enabling you to calculate your carbon footprint and take the first step towards becoming a Net Zero organisation.

CARBON FOOTPRINT DATA 22-23

"By measuring our emissions and setting clear reduction targets, we are proud to lead by example."

Philip Turnbull, Chief Executive, AIA