How the Filipino accountant can help save the planet
- Eba May Desabelle-Tibubos
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
IT has become a fundamental fact that the effects of climate change are no longer a distant threat — they are a yearly reality for Filipinos. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council estimates that between 2014 and 2024, typhoons caused annual direct economic losses of P20 billion to P60 billion along with a substantial human impact. These include fatalities and major displacements affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
In confronting the climate crisis, every Filipino has a role to play. While most might automatically think of environmentalists, scientists, or even policymakers as leading the charge in solving the country’s climate crisis, there may be an unexpected ally in the fight against climate change that many may overlook: the Filipino accountant. Accountants possess a practical set of skills that support climate action through data, accountability and strategy. As stewards of financial information, they often find themselves in the same room with movers and shakers of organizations. This puts them in a unique and powerful position to guide businesses, government agencies and organizations toward climate-conscious decisions. An accountant’s core skills comprise the ability to measure, track and report — skills that are essential in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and sustainability disclosure. In 2019, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission released MRC 4, Series of 2019, which mandates publicly listed companies to submit sustainability reports based on globally recognized standards. Plans are also in place to release a more robust guideline and a sustainability report template in 2025.
Accountants play a pivotal role in preparing these reports, ensuring their accuracy and credibility. These reports and disclosures help stakeholders understand an organization’s environmental impact, enabling them to make informed decisions. Through these reports, accountants help hold organizations accountable and promote transparency on climate-related matters. Accountants can help direct funds toward environmentally responsible projects. For example, they can help evaluate the financial viability of climate-resilient infrastructures, renewable energy investments and sustainable waste and water management. They can also help assess climate-related risks that impact financial performance — such as losses from extreme weather events — and incorporate these into financial forecasts and disclosures. Accountants can conduct scenario analysis to help organizations understand the risks and opportunities that different responses might entail. This enables organizations to anticipate future challenges and adjust their strategies accordingly. By having a deeper understanding of the relationship between climate risk and financial risk, accountants can help clients understand the true cost of inaction. As trusted professionals known for upholding strict ethical standards, accountants have the opportunity to promote truthful disclosures and encourage clients to adopt responsible, climate-smart practices.
Professional organizations, such as the Philippine Institute of CPAs and Association of CPAs in Public Practice Inc., have begun integrating sustainability into their conferences and training programs. These programs give Filipino accountants the opportunity to improve their skills in ESG reporting or climate finance, making them valuable assets for the country as it shifts toward a greener economy.
Despite their potential, Filipino accountants still face several challenges in fully embracing their role in solving the climate crisis. Some lack formal training in sustainability reporting frameworks. Access to environmental data tracking tools in the Philippines may also be a little harder to come by compared to other nations. Others may not even recognize the connection between accounting and climate issues, or maybe even be indifferent about it. Addressing these gaps will require support from government agencies, professional organizations, educational institutions, and private employers. One thing is clear, however. Protests and policies are no longer enough to address the climate crisis — it requires both quantitative and qualitative solutions. Accountants bring exactly that to the table. By championing transparency, advocating for green investments and promoting climate accountability, Filipino accountants are not just helping businesses thrive — they are helping build a more sustainable future. Studies from the World Weather Attribution group show that human‑caused warming has made typhoons in the Philippine Sea more intense. As the nation braces itself for the next typhoon this year, it’s high time for all Filipino accountants to realize that their skills can go beyond balance sheets and tax returns. Every spreadsheet can be a roadmap to sustainability. Every audit can be a check on environmental responsibility. Each accountant has the power to help balance the planet.
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This article was written by Eba May L. Desabelle-Tibubos, CPA, EVP of the Acpapp Negros Occidental Chapter. She is a partner of Desabelle, Desabelle and Associates, an audit firm based in Bacolod City. The views expressed here are her personal opinions and do not necessarily represent those of her firm or the Acpapp.
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