A new initiative may force companies to publish information about their social and environmental impacts alongside their financial accounts.
Currently under discussion amongst bodies that set accounting rules, this idea would require all such impacts to be reported on in detail. These include impacts on local habitats and the environment in general as well as the social ramifications of their activities. According to both accounting and environmental experts, the fact that such accounting would also bring business opportunities increases the likelihood of such measures being introduced.
Josh Bishop, author of the report and chief economist for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is quoted in The Guardian as saying "This is about all businesses. People think of primary industries: agriculture, forests, fisheries, maybe mining, oil and gas. But we try to make clear things in this report interest also manufacturing, retail and financial services, tourism, accountancy."
A more detailed report can be found at The Guardian