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The International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) past, present, and future: critical reflections and a research agenda

Charl de Villiers (Department of Accounting and Finance, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand and Department of Accounting, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)
Ruth Dimes (Department for Accounting and Finance, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK)
Matteo La Torre (Department of Economic Studies, University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Italy)
Matteo Molinari (Roehampton Business School, University of Roehampton, London, UK and Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, Rome, Italy)

Pacific Accounting Review

ISSN: 0114-0582

Article publication date: 13 May 2024

Issue publication date: 30 May 2024

935

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to critically reflect on the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), its current agenda and likely future direction. The authors consider the relationships between the ISSB and other standard setters, regulators, practitioners and stakeholders, and develop a comprehensive research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review and critically analyse academic and practitioner publications alongside the ISSB’s workplans to identify the themes impacting the future of the ISSB and to develop a research agenda.

Findings

Three key themes emerge from the authors’ analysis that are likely to influence the future of the ISSB: the jurisdiction and scope of the ISSB – how far its influence is likely to extend, both geographically and conceptually; the ongoing legitimacy challenge the ISSB is facing in terms of setting an agenda for sustainability reporting; and the “capture” of sustainability reporting by influential stakeholders including capital providers.

Originality/value

The formation of the ISSB is critical to the future of sustainability reporting. The authors provide a comprehensive and topical overview of the past, present and potential future of the ISSB, highlighting the need for further research and providing a research agenda that addresses outstanding questions in the field.

Keywords

Citation

de Villiers, C., Dimes, R., La Torre, M. and Molinari, M. (2024), "The International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) past, present, and future: critical reflections and a research agenda", Pacific Accounting Review, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 255-273. https://doi.org/10.1108/PAR-02-2024-0038

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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