Climate change was once widely regarded as a cause limited to a doom-prophesying fringe. But the sharp increase over the past 20 years in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events around the world has brought home to many the reality that rapid action must be taken to limit climate change if humanity is to continue to do anything like business as usual.
Takesure Famba, head of ACCA Zimbabwe, told a recent virtual conference: ‘People’s real-life experience of wildfire, floods, drought and hurricanes have replaced theoretical, data-driven warnings about the effects of global warming. They can see it out of the window.’
Organised by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, the conference’s theme was climate disclosure, exploring the critical, evolving role of professional accountants in fostering climate change actions as a business imperative. It was attended by business leaders, professional accountants and climate specialists from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as Oman, the UAE, the UK and the US.
'While Africa has contributed a tiny proportion of the greenhouse gases that threaten the world, it does not mean that we are clear of responsibility'
Taking responsibility
Famba pointed out that ACCA is one organisation that has taken responsibility, by building the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into its strategy.
He also told the conference: ‘While Africa has contributed a tiny proportion of the planet-heating greenhouse gases that threaten the world, it does not mean that we are clear of responsibility.
'We all live in one world, and we are at the mercy of climate change just as much as the biggest polluters.'
Moral obligation
Famba went on to say that the climate change threat had made borders meaningless, and that Africans, along with everyone else in the world, have a moral obligation to act. ‘This is the time for all of us to stand up and do our duty.’
Also speaking at the event were Rodney Ndamba FCCA, CEO of the Institute for Sustainability Africa, Gloria Zvaravanhu, CEO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe, and representatives from the Department of Climate Change, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the Public Accountants and Auditors Board and the Industrial Development Bank of Zimbabwe.
More information
Visit ACCA’s ‘Rethinking sustainable business’ hub to find out more about the issues relating to sustainability, the impact on organisations and the part you can play
