Practical guidance on climate change and environmental sustainability
This practical guidance is part of the Risk in Focus 2021 publication. It aims to provide a concise overview of key publications and existing tools developed by the 10 European institutes of internal auditors in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK & Ireland and publications from IIA Global.
This guidance is developed to help internal auditors address some of the key risks identified in Risk in Focus 2021, with the aim of contributing to the reduction of their impacts on businesses and stakeholders. Where the Risk in Focus report itself addresses the ‘WHAT-could be important to audit’, this guidance helps you address the ‘HOW-to audit’ this topic.
Why should climate change and environmental sustainability be on your radar?
Firstly, because environmental challenges are of a growing importance for all organisations. It is undeniable that this is now a strategic preoccupation for all organisations, encouraged by their internal and external stakeholders – to become more resilient to environmental risks and to directly contribute to the environmental sustainability of our society. In fact, the risk is already proven, the consequences on businesses are measurable. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are increasingly being adopted. There is growing attention amongst all stakeholders (from investors to clients) on how ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) matters are integrated into business activities.
This practical guidance is designed to firstly, help practitioners learn from experienced professionals (experts, operational teams or internal audit), and, secondly, offer practitioners useful reflections that we believe are of particular interest when auditing these topics and their associated risk management processes.