Leveraging AI for sustainable accounting: Developing models for environmental impact assessment and reporting
Authors: Beatrice Oyinkansola Adelakun  , Bernard Owusu Antwi  , Afari Ntiakoh  , Augustine Obinna Eziefule  
Published: June 2024

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sustainable accounting represents a transformative approach to enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and comprehensiveness of environmental impact assessment and reporting. This paper explores the development of AI-driven models aimed at advancing sustainable accounting practices, focusing on environmental impact assessment and transparent reporting. AI technologies, particularly machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP), play a pivotal role in automating and refining data collection, analysis, and reporting processes. These technologies enable the processing of vast amounts of heterogeneous data from multiple sources, including IoT sensors, satellite imagery, and corporate disclosures. By leveraging ML algorithms, organizations can identify patterns, predict trends, and assess the environmental impact of their operations with unprecedented precision. One of the key advantages of AI in sustainable accounting is its ability to enhance data accuracy and reliability. Traditional methods often suffer from manual errors and inconsistencies. AI models, however, can continuously learn and adapt, improving their accuracy over time. For instance, predictive analytics can forecast future environmental impacts based on historical data, allowing companies to implement proactive measures to mitigate adverse effects. Furthermore, AI facilitates real-time monitoring and reporting. IoT devices equipped with environmental sensors can stream data to AI systems, which process and analyze the information instantaneously. This capability is crucial for timely reporting and compliance with environmental regulations. Real-time data analytics also empower organizations to make informed decisions swiftly, optimizing their sustainability strategies and reducing their ecological footprint. Another significant contribution of AI is in enhancing transparency and accountability in environmental reporting. NLP algorithms can analyze and interpret regulatory texts, corporate reports, and public records, ensuring that organizations adhere to sustainability standards and guidelines. Additionally, AI can automate the generation of comprehensive and comprehensible sustainability reports, making them accessible to a broader audience, including stakeholders and regulators. Developing robust AI models for sustainable accounting involves several critical steps. Initially, data preprocessing is essential to clean and harmonize diverse datasets, ensuring quality input for AI algorithms. Next, model training and validation are conducted using historical and real-time data to refine predictive capabilities. Continuous model evaluation and adjustment are necessary to maintain accuracy and relevance in dynamic environmental contexts. Collaboration between AI experts, environmental scientists, and accounting professionals is paramount in this development process. Interdisciplinary teams can ensure that AI models are not only technically sound but also aligned with environmental science principles and accounting standards. This collaboration also fosters innovation, leading to the development of more sophisticated tools for environmental impact assessment and reporting. The adoption of AI-driven sustainable accounting models offers numerous benefits, including enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. However, challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and the need for substantial initial investments must be addressed. Future research should focus on overcoming these obstacles and exploring the potential of emerging AI technologies, such as deep learning and blockchain, to further revolutionize sustainable accounting practices. AI holds significant promise for transforming sustainable accounting by improving environmental impact assessment and reporting. Through advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, and enhanced transparency, AI can help organizations achieve their sustainability goals, ensuring a more sustainable future. The continuous development and refinement of AI models, supported by interdisciplinary collaboration, are essential for realizing these benefits and addressing the complex challenges of environmental sustainability.
Keywords: Sustainable Accounting, Environmental Impact Assessment, AI, Developing Models, Reporting.