The report states that AI can accelerate progress toward the UN SDGs. Credit: Pixels Hunter/Shutterstock.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has stated that accountants are pivotal in guiding organisations to use AI for sustainability, emphasising data quality and governance.  

It highlights the need for education and a cultural shift to embrace AI effectively.  

The ACCA’s AI Monitor series report, ‘Unravelling AI’s role in sustainability,’ underscores AI’s potential to help organisations measure and report their environmental impacts.  

As organisations integrate AI into their processes, human analysis and validation are said to remain crucial for generating valuable insights.  

ACCA Technology Research head Alistair Brisbourne said: “It is clear AI holds tremendous potential, but without due consideration AI technologies can also threaten progress towards achieving sustainability goals. 

“Organisations need to focus on getting people to think about AI as something that is learning from them, encouraging people to input and maintain data that will provide more value. At the heart of these challenges lies the fundamental issue of data quality and standardisation. Accountants need to lead in the establishment of good data practices to ensure benefits are realised.” 

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The report mentions that AI can accelerate progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

With 17% of SDG targets on track for 2030 and 35% showing stagnation or regression, innovative solutions are essential, says the association. 

AI can support sustainability reporting by converting financial data into meaningful environmental metrics.  

The report also explored the sustainability challenges posed by AI. 

This follows ACCA’s advocacy for a transformational shift in the public sector, focusing on productivity and outcomes over cost-cutting earlier in December 2024.