Shamshad Akhtar emphasises need for businesses to promote green financial reporting.

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Chairperson Dr Shamshad Akhtar said Pakistan's climate vulnerability has brought sustainability to the forefront, emphasising the need for businesses to develop, implement environmental standards and promote green financial reporting.

Delivering a keynote address at a seminar on sustainability reporting, organised by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), Akhtar said: 'It is important for public and private sector to embrace sustainability reporting as it is critical for survival in the global arena.

'Pakistan has legislated sustainable development goals and businesses, however, there is a need to develop a strategy for a sustainable reporting system, and a lot has to be done in this area.'

The chairperson further stressed that there is a need to draw guidance from the international bodies to implement environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and develop road maps and guidelines for the industry.

'The formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) will help to achieve consistency and comparability of sustainability reporting across industries and jurisdictions,' she added.

She revealed that the State Bank of Pakistan has issued green banking guidelines and the PSX will very soon join UN Sustainable Stock Exchange initiatives. SECP has also issued a roadmap for ESG.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Accounting Standards Board, FCA, Farrukh Rehman said that chartered accountants play a crucial role in business areas and they are closely involved in reporting...