Organisation | Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)
Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)
Accounting for Sustainability aims to inspire action by finance leaders to drive a fundamental shift towards resilient business models and a sustainable economy. It achieves this through conducting research, publishing reports, hosting events and providing a networking platform for the finance and accounting community.
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OVERVIEW
The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S) was established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2004 as a programme of The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation (PWCF). A4S aims to make sustainable decision making business as usual.
A4S has a range of resources available in their knowledge hub including case studies, videos, reports and they also run events, webinars and awards. Committed to education within accounting and finance, the A4S Academy, a CFO-sponsored programme, equips finance teams with the skills needed for their businesses to succeed in the face of environmental and social risks and opportunities.
A4S works with a range of industry stakeholders:
- Chief financial officers (CFOs) and finance teams
- The accounting community
- Investors, capital markets & the wider finance community
- Governments, regulators & policy makers
- Business schools and academia
A4S’s work is led by network members who engage organisations and finance leaders for practical action. A4S has a global network where members can share from best practice, peer support and collaboration. A4S has four networks:
- Chief Financial Officers Leadership Network, a group of CFOs from leading organisations seeking to embed the management of environmental and social issues into business processes and strategy. The network aims to create open source guidance, which members of the network commit to adopt and share.
- Accounting Bodies Network (ABN) which helps achieve a common approach to accounting for sustainability. The ABN represents 2.4 million accountants in 181 countries, making up two-thirds of accountants globally.
- Asset Owners Network which brings together chairs of UK pension funds, their pooling partners, investment committees and endowments to explore the relevance of material social and environmental risks and opportunities with peers. Members include chairs of corporate pension funds, public funds, from both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes, and have combined pension assets of over US$450 billion.
- Circles of Practice which are more informal regional or sector level groups which provide finance leaders with the opportunity to share and exchange information and knowledge, rather than work on specific projects.
MISSION STATEMENT
Aims:
A4S aims to inspire action by finance leaders to drive a fundamental shift towards resilient business models and a sustainable economy. To do this, A4S has three core aims that underpin everything they do:
- Inspire finance leaders to adopt sustainable and resilient business models
- Transform financial decision making to enable an integrated approach, reflective of the opportunities and risks posed by environmental and social issues
- Scale up action across the global finance and accounting community
FUNDING SOURCES
A4S is a programme of The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation (PWCF) and receives funding from their commercial subsidiaries such as, Duchy Originals Limited in partnership with Waitrose and Highgrove Enterprises which is the trading name of AG Carrick Limited, which donate their profits to provide income for their charitable activities. PWCF also receives income from Trusts, Foundations and High Net Worth donors.
ORGANISATION TYPE
Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
YEAR ESTABLISHED
2004
LOCATION
Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe (EU), Latin America & Caribbean, Middle East, North America, United Kingdom
RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY ACCOUNTING FOR SUSTAINABILITY (A4S)
Asking better questions on nature: For chief financial officers
2 June 2026
This guide helps Chief Financial Officers integrate nature-related issues into financial decision-making. It outlines how to identify dependencies, assess risks and opportunities, and respond to evolving disclosure expectations. The report emphasises nature as a core driver of performance, resilience and long-term value creation within the TNFD framework.
Using scenario analysis for future resilience: Top tips for pension fund chairs and trustees
1 June 2026
This guide from Accounting for Sustainability supports pension fund chairs and trustees to move beyond simplified climate scenario analysis. It outlines the limitations of current models, provides practical examples from USS, NBIM and APG, and offers six actionable tips to embed scenario insights into strategic decision making.
Aligning transition planning and financial planning: A guide for finance teams
2 June 2025
This guidance assists finance teams in integrating transition planning into their organisation's core financial processes. It outlines steps to prepare, assess current positions, prioritise actions, and embed sustainability strategies into medium-term financial planning. The report provides practical frameworks for financing, improving decision-making, and monitoring progress towards climate resilience.
The transition finance playbook: A practical guide for financial institutions
A practical guide outlining how financial institutions can scale transition finance through governance, eligibility criteria, portfolio segmentation, due-diligence enhancements and engagement. It highlights Canadian market context, barriers, and actionable “top tips” to support credible decarbonisation, stewardship and collaboration across the financial system.
Essential guide to valuations and climate change
10 December 2020
This guide provides a framework for incorporating climate-related risks and opportunities into business valuations. It outlines a five-step process, highlights data and disclosure challenges, and illustrates application through case studies. The aim is to support more consistent, transparent and informed valuation practice as climate impacts become increasingly material.
Broadening the horizon: How CFOs and finance functions can help drive corporate sustainability
University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
- Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)
1 February 2024
This report discusses the increasing need for businesses to prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. It highlights the evolving role of CFOs and finance functions in integrating sustainability into business strategies and decision-making processes due to their expertise in data analysis, risk management, and strategic planning.
Addressing biodiversity risk and opportunity at PensionDanmark
18 February 2025
PensionDanmark developed a biodiversity strategy targeting its real estate and infrastructure assets to mitigate nature loss. It employs data-led initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and nature-based solutions to protect and restore biodiversity, aligning with EU taxonomy and Science Based Targets for Nature. Implementation includes construction screening, sustainable sourcing, and performance monitoring.
Insurance-associated emissions: Top tips for finance teams of insurers and reinsurers
9 April 2024
This report provides finance teams in the insurance industry with practical guidance on calculating insurance-associated emissions. It outlines the PCAF Standard, emphasises the importance of establishing an emissions baseline, and offers actionable steps for leveraging data, improving processes, and supporting decarbonisation.
Briefing for finance: Climate action
28 November 2022
Climate change poses a significant risk to businesses, with potential for financial and operational disruption. However, addressing climate change also presents opportunities for innovation, resilience, and improved reputation. Organisations can mitigate these risks and capitalise on these opportunities by setting net-zero targets, developing transition plans, and integrating climate considerations into decision-making processes.
Briefing for finance: Biodiversity
27 May 2022
This briefing highlights how businesses' impact nature and the significant economic and environmental consequences of biodiversity loss. It explores the risks of biodiversity loss and opportunities of investing in nature-based solutions, and offers recommendations for finance professionals to mitigate potential negative impacts and embed biodiversity considerations into decision-making processes.
Financing our future: Actions to scale up and accelerate the pace of change towards a more sustainable financial system
7 December 2018
This report offers actionable recommendations to the world's finance sector. This report presents evidence on the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and outlines key actions for finance actors across numerous industries to advance toward a sustainable financial system.
Navigating the reporting landscape
19 July 2021
This guide provides an introduction to sustainability-related reporting for finance professionals. It covers mandatory reporting requirements and reporting frameworks, as well as key reporting components for sustainability. The guide also explores recent developments in reporting standards and the accounting profession, highlighting the future of corporate reporting.
A4S essential guide to incentivizing action along the value chain
21 September 2022
This is a practical guide for finance teams to collaborate with their value chains and promote sustainability. The guide delves into mapping the value chain, prioritising areas of action, incentivising action, and provides useful tips, resources, and a checklist.
Sustainable investing in pensions: Top tips for sponsors of pension schemes
30 June 2020
This report provides insight into embedding social and environmental risk into pension schemes to meet the growing economical demand. This guidance provides actionable top-tips for any sponsor to take the necessary steps to align their organisation's values with their pension scheme.
Aligning to a net zero pathway: Top tips for pension scheme trustees
15 October 2021
This report provides practical insights for pension scheme trustees in aligning their investments with a net zero pathway. The guide's tips are broadly applicable to pension funds across the globe. It defines "net zero," the challenges and opportunities facing trustees, and the importance of stakeholder engagement in crafting a successful transition.
Managing nature risks and investing in the opportunities: Top tips for pension fund chairs and trustees
18 October 2023
This report provides top tips to pension fund chairs and trustees on managing nature risks and investing in opportunities. With insights from industry professionals, it highlights the importance of nature for long-term market returns and discusses emerging regulation to guide action, while offering practical advice on how to identify risks and integrate nature into stewardship plans.
Net zero: Practical guide for finance teams
5 July 2021
This guide is a valuable resource for organisations striving towards net zero emissions. From developing internal culture to accessing finance, this guide provides practical advice for finance teams seeking to develop an effective strategy.
Net zero: Practical guide for finance teams of banks
6 July 2021
The guide outlines the role finance departments play in supporting banks to achieve net-zero emissions, in light of the existential risk climate change poses. The report identifies practical steps for finance teams of banks, such as setting interim targets, measuring and reporting progress, and engaging with stakeholders to help their organizations make the transition to net-zero emissions.
Essential guide to debt finance
22 May 2019
A guide to help organisations align their treasury teams and sustainability objectives to improve environmental and social outcomes, and in doing so bring value to their organisations. The report considers actions and opportunities as well as practical guidance on how treasury and finance teams can respond to social and environmental risk while adding value.
