ICAI’s Carbon Emission Calculator to expand CAs’ role as sustainability guardians

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has launched a Carbon Emission Calculator to advance green accounting across the country. Introduced in July 2025 during the tenure of C.A. Prasanna Kumar. D. as vice president, the tool is now being scaled up nationwide under his leadership as the 74th president of ICAI, a position he assumed on February 12, 2026.

In an interaction with The Hindu at the ICAI’s Visakhapatnam branch on Friday, Mr. Prasanna Kumar said the initiative seeks to reposition chartered accountants from financial auditors to sustainability guardians. He said the role of CAs is expanding beyond auditing financial statements to examining carbon footprints and environmental disclosures.

Designed especially for small and medium enterprises and individual businesses, the calculator will help organisations align with India’s net zero commitment for 2070. It facilitates the transition from conventional financial reporting to the Securities and Exchange Board of India(SEBI) mandated Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting framework. The tool enables CAs to provide limited or reasonable assurance on greenhouse gas statements, thereby broadening the scope of audit practice.

Mr. Prasanna Kumar said the calculator would also equip professionals to advise clients on reducing carbon taxes and fuel costs, while strengthening advisory services in environmental, social and governance consulting. He described it as a significant step towards supporting sustainable growth in Indian industry.

Referring to ICAI’s participation in the India AI Impact Summit 2026, he said the institute has reinforced its commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into finance and accounting functions. ICAI showcased how AI can serve as a horizontal enabling technology across audit, tax and governance functions by improving audit quality, automating complex tax compliance and generating data driven insights for better corporate governance.

On plans to establish a Centre of Excellence in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Prasanna Kumar said discussions are under way with the State government. A final decision on the location has not yet been taken, with Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam under consideration.