The Integration of Environmental Costs into Financial Statements: A Literature Review

Abstract

The growing concern for sustainability and environmental responsibility has driven companies to integrate environmental costs into their financial statements. However, this process faces challenges and limitations. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing research on the integration of environmental costs into financial statements, identifying the main approaches, methodologies, challenges, and opportunities involved. An exhaustive search was conducted in relevant databases, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected studies were analyzed using narrative and bibliometric techniques. The results reveal a growing amount of academic attention to this topic, with notable approaches such as environmental management accounting and sustainability accounting. The key challenges identified include difficulty in measuring and quantifying environmental costs, lack of clear regulations, and resistance to organizational change. On the other hand, opportunities include improved decision-making, resource use efficiency, and strengthened corporate reputation. The conclusion emphasizes the need to develop standardized methodologies, establish clear regulatory frameworks, and promote awareness and training in environmental accounting to advance the effective integration of environmental costs into financial statements.

Received: 11 June 2024 / Accepted: 29 August 2024 / Published: 05 September 2024