For more than a decade the University has championed sustainability and ethical, responsible investing. The principles of sustainability are deeply embedded within the Catholic tradition and woven into the fabric of our Catholic mission; from the physical works on campus and in the community to the co-sponsored Vatican series of energy transition conversations hosted by Father Jenkins and the focus on a just transition to a sustainable future during the 2021 Notre Dame Forum events. Increasingly, however, it is evident that more must be done, and we must act quickly.
The Center for Accounting Research and Education (CARE) was founded in 2004 to support faculty in the creation and dissemination of accounting knowledge, strengthening the bridges between research, education and practice. As we pivoted to a virtual conference platform in 2021, we spent the summer speaking with experts around the globe, from climate scientists to fund managers, researchers and regulators, to activists and global heads of large accounting and investment firms.
A sea-change occurred during those discussions as we listened to the message, repeated over and over again, that business schools must do more to not only educate the leaders of tomorrow, but to address the climate crisis. The message was clear: universities, particularly US institutions, are late in acknowledging and responding to the climate and sustainability issue. We are not adequately educating our students for the professions they are entering.
In response to this message, I announced last September that CARE will shift our focus to sustainability and responsible investing with the creation of three initiatives:
- A cross-listed hybrid undergraduate/masters level course entitled Accountability in a Sustainable World, offered beginning Fall, 2022
- A journal entitled Accountability in a Sustainable World Quarterly, that will address the research gap between practice and education
- A shift in focus of the annual CARE Conference to matters of sustainability and responsible investing.
The course, currently cross listed as Sustainability Studies Minor course SUS 40160, ACCT40160, MSA70173, and MBA70173, will also be cross listed with Finance. It is designed to develop future sustainability leaders by active engagement with key participants, critical synthesis of research on measurement of climate change effects and movement toward quantifiable achievable goals. The course is open to juniors, seniors and graduate students from all disciplines across the university.
Students will meet exemplary professionals that have one thing in common—they are working to transform our current climate change and environmental crises into societal opportunity. Highly motivated students who have a strong interest in climate change, sustainability, and ways that they would like to become influencers and responsible guardians of the future of our planet are encouraged to enroll. The full syllabus can be viewed here.
The founding editors of Accountability in a Sustainable World Quarterly recognize the immediate need for dialogue among academics and practitioners about sustainability, accountability, data and measurement, related assurance, high quality information to inform (responsible) investment decisions and accountability in setting of personal, corporate and public sector goals. The aim of the journal is to meet this need. It will be cross-disciplinary, with a focus on measurement, assurance of the measurements and use of the measures in the broadest sense. The short articles, authored by academics and practitioners, have an intended readership comprising both groups. More on the journal can be found here.
The 2021 CARE Accounting for Sustainability and Responsible Investing Conference was held in cooperation with Sustainable Investment Forum North America 2021, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, hosting 2,035 delegates worldwide. The Forum’s mission is to mobilize sustainable investment towards a 1.5°C world, by convening a global audience representing asset owners and investment managers, institutional investors, pension funds, banks, development banks, policymakers, think tanks and NGOs to continue to build the momentum for sustainable finance and responsible investment.
The 2022 CARE Conference will be held at the United Nations COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November. Keep an eye on the CARE website for further details. If you would like to be added to the invitation list, please email Lorie Marsh at lmarsh1@nd.edu.
Sincerely,
Peter Easton, Academic Director, CARE; Editor in Chief, Accountability in a Sustainable World Quarterly; and Notre Dame Alumni Professor of Accountancy
Lorie Marsh, Program Manager, CARE; Editorial Manager, Accountability in a Sustainable World Quarterly