ICAEW Climate Essay Competition 2024

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and it requires urgent and collective action from all sectors of society. The accountancy profession has a vital role to play in driving and supporting climate action, both within and beyond their organisations.

ICAEW invites current students and recently qualified members to submit a 5000-word essay, video or podcast answering the essay question:

Accountants as Climate Champions: why and how should the profession lead on climate action.

Possible areas for consideration: 

1. How can accountants address the interconnected challenges of climate change, nature loss and social inequality?
2. What role does the accountancy profession have? How can accountants leverage their position within organisations to drive climate action?
3. Why rapid net zero transition is needed? 
4. What are the skills and capabilities the profession needs to achieve this at pace?
5. What are the roles of business, government, the public sector, and civil society?
6. What are the obstacles/barriers to, and the opportunities of transition? 
7. What examples of excellence are there?

Hear their stories and be inspired by our members acting on the climate crisis. Learn more about our Climate Champions here.

 

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to: 

• Current university students 
• Current ACA students
• Recently qualified members who have obtained their ACA qualification within the last 2 years. 

PRIZES

The winning entry will receive £5000.

TIMELINE

The closing date for entry is 11th April 2024. The winner will be announced in June 2024. 

HOW TO APPLY?

In order to apply, and in case of further questions, please email your submission to Sarah.Reay@icaew.com

SUBMISSON GUIDELINES

If you are a current student, please include the name of the university and the course you are studying in the email. 

If you are an ICAEW student or a recently qualified member, please include your ICAEW membership number in the email. 

If you are submitting a video or a podcast, please keep the length to 20 minutes. 

All entries require references to be submitted.

To see previous winners, visit ICAEW Climate Essay Competition | ICAEW