Still flying blind: The absence of climate risk in financial reporting
This report is about the degree to which companies had disclosed taking climate risks into account within financial statements, and auditors in their audits thereof. The report includes whether the assumptions and estimates that companies used were transparent and consistent with other aspects of reports. So far, there has been a growth in net zero pledges and other climate-related commitments and increased reporting on climate risks ‘outside’ the financial statements. Yet, most companies still do not appear to be including the financial impacts of such commitments, or indeed climate change risks, in their financial statements. The companies surveyed included those from the fossil fuel, mining, manufacturing, and automotive sectors that are focus companies for the investor led Climate Action 100+ engagement.
The main findings of the report are:
- Our reviews of 134 highly carbon-exposed companies provided little evidence that they had considered the impacts of material climate-related matters in preparing their financial statements.
- In general, companies failed to disclose the relevant quantitative climate-related assumptions and estimates used to prepare the financial statements, even when they indicated that climate risks may impact these assumptions.
- Companies did not present consistent climate narratives. Their financial statements failed to fully reflect climate considerations included in the companies’ other reporting.
- There was little evidence that auditors considered the impact of material climate-related matters.
- No company used assumptions and estimates that were aligned with achieving net zero by 2050 or sooner. This was despite that a significant majority of companies had targets or ambitions to achieve this drive.
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