Last updated: 14 Jul 2026 10:00 Posted in: AIA
The Association of International Accountants (AIA) is proud to stand alongside fellow signatories of the Sustainable Finance Education Charter (SFEC) in reaffirming our commitment to building a more sustainable future for the finance profession.
The newly published SFEC Annual Progress Report 2025 showcases the collective progress made by the Charter's 14 professional body signatories, representing more than one million finance professionals worldwide, in embedding sustainability into education, professional standards and continuing development.
During the reporting period, more than 122,000 finance professionals participated in sustainability-focused events delivered by Charter members, while new qualifications, updated learning programmes and expanded international collaboration continued to strengthen the profession's ability to respond to climate and wider sustainability challenges.
As a signatory, AIA continues to place sustainability at the forefront of its strategy, ensuring members and students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and professional judgement needed to support the transition to a more sustainable economy.
AIA has delivered a range of learning opportunities focused on green finance, climate risk and sustainability reporting through live webinars, expert panel discussions and on-demand content. These initiatives help members understand evolving standards while developing the practical skills needed to support clients and organisations navigating sustainability challenges.
Sustainability is also embedded throughout AIA's Professional Qualification and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Alongside ethics and technological capability, topics including ESG reporting, climate risk and sustainable finance are integrated across learning pathways, ensuring both current and future members are prepared for an evolving profession.
Beyond education, AIA helps members take practical action through its partnership with Ecologi, providing access to tools and guidance that support carbon reporting, emissions reduction and the transition towards Net Zero, particularly for SMEs and small practices.
AIA also continues to collaborate with fellow SFEC signatories and international partners to help develop a consistent, high-quality approach to sustainability education, strengthening capability and public confidence across the profession.
David Potts, AIA’s Director of Policy and Regulation, said: “Sustainability is increasingly central to the work of accountants. Our members are supporting businesses of all sizes as they respond to changing expectations around climate risk, reporting and responsible decision-making. Through our work with the Sustainable Finance Education Charter and our own learning initiatives, we are committed to ensuring accountants have the knowledge and skills they need to contribute positively to this agenda.”
AIA is embedding sustainability throughout its own organisation as well as its professional activities. In 2025, the Association achieved 'On the Road to Net Zero' certification, marking an important milestone in its sustainability journey. By measuring greenhouse gas emissions, committing to transparent annual reporting and establishing clear reduction targets, AIA is demonstrating its commitment to responsible business practices while supporting members to do the same.
The Association also continues to contribute to wider conversations on sustainability through policy engagement, thought leadership and collaboration with organisations across the profession, helping to advance practical approaches to sustainability reporting, education and professional practice.
As highlighted throughout the SFEC Annual Progress Report, finance professionals have a vital role to play in supporting sustainable economies and managing climate and wider sustainability risks. AIA remains committed to ensuring sustainability becomes a core professional competence, equipping members with the skills and knowledge needed to create long-term value for businesses, society and the environment.
Read the Full Report"Through our work with the Sustainable Finance Education Charter and our own learning initiatives, we are committed to ensuring accountants have the knowledge and skills they need to contribute positively to this agenda.”
David Potts, Director of Policy & Regulation, AIA