TY - JOUR T1 - SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING - HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF THE DISCIPLINE AU - Gacser, Norbert Gyorgy AU - Szoka, Karoly PY - 2021 DA - December DO - 10.17261/Pressacademia.2021.1475 JF - PressAcademia Procedia JO - PAP PB - Suat TEKER WT - DergiPark SN - 2459-0762 SP - 1 EP - 4 VL - 14 IS - 1 LA - en AB - Purpose- The purpose of this study is two folded. In one hand it intends to provide an overview of the historical formation and developmentof the scientific field of sustainability accounting, starting from the history of it’s predecessor disciplines. To this end the history ofaccountancy is examined first, followed by the development of the idea of sustainability. Then the birth and advances of sustainabilityaccounting are presented. The secondary goal of this research is to define the future perspectives of sustainability accounting, derived fromit’s origins.Methodology- This study is a historical literature review, employing an interpretative and synthesising approach by a recombination of worksdone in the field. The possible sources of the research drawn into comparison are books, peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedingsand papers, dissertations and thesises. The final selection put a high emphasis on peer-reviewed journals as evaluated sources.Findings- The analysis reveals, that accountancy and the idea of sustainability have a long history and clearly defined definitions, whilesustainability accounting is yet to be demarcated from other scientifical fields. There is not one universally accepted definition ofsustainability accounting to day, also it’s taxonomic placement and mandatory components are yet to be agreed on. Along with the absenceof a uniform definition, opinions (and definitions) similarly concur on the three main factors of sustainability accounting, which areenvironmental, social and economical factors (see also as three bottom line, or TBL). Besides, researches can be grouped in two maindirections: a theoretical direction, emphasizing accountability, contribution to sustainability and steps leading to sustainability (strategic) andanother, consisting mainly of applicable management tools (eg. measurements, information system, reporting).Conclusion- Based upon the analyisis, there are similar characteristics in the various definitons of sustainability accounting, yet it is still aninhomogeneous, multi directional and constantly evolving field of research. Until today the most known standards were laid down withGray’s Sustainability Accounting Principles (2002) and Lambertons sustainability accounting framework (2005). We concluded to a definitionof sustainability accounting as the following: Sustainability accounting is primarly a practice of measuring, analyzing and reporting on socialand environmental impacts of companies, as well as on their economical sustainability, and secondarily It is also a set of principles andguidelines for the implementation of environmental awareness and social justice into the economical viewpoint. The lack of quickerdevelopment in sustainability accounting research for the last decade is likely a product of the crisis of 2009. Citing Gray “there is little or noprospect of widespread, systematic reporting by corporations without a major regulatory initiative” and to solve the crisis and to handle it’sconsequences must have had a priority above all, which included sustainability problems. The latest steps taken by the EU will most likelypromote development. 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