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Corporate Accountability in Disclosing Carbon Information: Evidence from a Developing Nation

Author

Listed:
  • Faizah Darus*

    (Faculty of Accountancy and Accounting Research Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Hidayatul Izati Mohd Zuki

    (British Telecom Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

  • Haslinda Yusoff

    (Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Noraslinda Mat Aris

    (Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

The issue of climate change has been a significant concern globally both in the developed and developing economies. This study aims to uncover the quality of carbon information disclosed in a developing country i.e. Malaysia. A content analysis of the annual and sustainability reports of Top 100 companies in environmentally-sensitive industries in Malaysia over a two-year period in 2011 and 2014 was undertaken. The results revealed that the quality of carbon information provided by companies improved over the two-year period and the changes were significant. The companies were also beginning to translate quantitative details into monetary amounts. The dimension Carbon reduction and costs had the highest mean score for both years. The findings revealed that the construction industry had the lowest mean score for all dimensions in both years and this finding is a concern as activities of the construction industry are generally known to have numerous effects on the environment. The findings from the study revealed that companies are taking the initiatives to set carbon reduction targets to be achieved in the future, hence, a signal of enhanced corporate environmental accountability. Nevertheless, the overall low disclosure of carbon information may require the intervention from stakeholders to improve the quality of the report.

Suggested Citation

  • Faizah Darus* & Hidayatul Izati Mohd Zuki & Haslinda Yusoff & Noraslinda Mat Aris, 2018. "Corporate Accountability in Disclosing Carbon Information: Evidence from a Developing Nation," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 984-994:5.
    • Handle: RePEc:arp:tjssrr:2018:p:984-994
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    References listed on IDEAS

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