Would assurance benefit from one legal standard that’s enforced?
That’s the question that was ringing in my ears after attending an interesting event last week entitled ‘The State of Sustainability Assurance in 2010′.
Carbon Smart gave an analysis of the assurance methods used by the FTSE 350 and other organisations gave accounts of assurance in practice. DEFRA then presented their consultation on measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions in theUK.
This all sparked a debate on the need for one legal standard. Measurement in itself is fine, but so is a cheese sandwich. Too many will give you a coronary. Focusing on what’s happening on the ground is much more important.
It will be interesting to see the results of the DEFRA consultation. In the meantime, watch this space for the outcome of new laws on integrated annual reporting inSouth Africa.