GREEN ACCOUNTING AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING: ASSESSING CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE PRACTICES

Abstract

This study examines corporate environmental disclosure practices within the framework of green accounting and sustainability reporting. Using a qualitative literature review approach, the study analyzes relevant academic publications, reports, and established frameworks to evaluate how companies integrate environmental considerations into accounting systems and communicate them to stakeholders. The findings indicate that green accounting supports more informed decision-making by incorporating environmental costs into financial analysis, thereby enhancing resource efficiency and long-term sustainability. Sustainability reporting, particularly through frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), has improved transparency and comparability of corporate environmental information. However, significant variations remain in the quality, consistency, and credibility of disclosures. The study also finds that environmental disclosure is influenced by factors such as firm size, profitability, industry type, regulatory pressure, and stakeholder expectations. Despite these drivers, a gap persists between actual environmental performance and reported information, with some firms engaging in symbolic reporting or greenwashing. Additionally, challenges such as lack of standardization, weak regulatory enforcement, and limited expertise hinder effective implementation. Overall, the study concludes that stronger regulations and standardized reporting practices are necessary to enhance the reliability and usefulness of corporate environmental disclosures.