Corporate voluntary emissions disclosure in Australia: A multi-theoretical accounting perspective

"This study explores the issue of corporate (voluntary) emissions disclosures in Australia during the period 2003/04 through 2009/10. This seven year period covered significant changes in the emissions-related social and political environment, including a change in Australian government, ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Australia, the introduction of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, and a proposed Australian Emissions Trading Scheme (including carbon pricing). A multi-theoretical accounting model is used to explain the disclosures as a transitioning of two political economy theories: Legitimacy and Stakeholder theories. Both theories have been widely used in accounting research for examining the communication between an entity and society in general (Legitimacy Theory) or with certain stakeholders (Managerial Stakeholder Theory)."