The Nepal Chartered Accountants Institute (ICAN), in collaboration with the World Bank Nepal Office, concluded a national conference on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), climate reporting, and sustainable finance in Kathmandu on October 3, 2026. The event, held at Hotel Yak & Yeti, saw participation from over 130 professionals, government bodies, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), banks and financial institutions, private equity and investment sectors, development partners, the private sector, and ICAN members.
The conference was organized as part of ICAN’s ongoing institutional initiative to enhance national awareness, develop professional capacity, and strengthen coordination among stakeholders in the areas of sustainability reporting, climate-related disclosures, carbon accounting, and sustainable finance.
Technical Sessions Delve into Climate Reporting and Carbon Accounting
Four technical sessions were conducted, covering topics such as public sector climate reporting and readiness for IPSASB SRS 1 (the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board’s Sustainability Reporting Standard 1), and NFRS S1 and S2 (Nepal’s Sustainability Reporting Standards 1 and 2). Other topics included carbon projects, carbon credits and blended finance, and the role of professional accountants in carbon accounting and reporting for sustainable value creation.
The inaugural session focused on Nepal’s future roadmap for IPSASB SRS 1 and climate reporting in the public sector. Important discussions took place between representatives from ICAN, the Accounting Standards Board Nepal (ASB Nepal), FCGO, OAG, and the World Bank. The session explored how climate-related information can be gradually integrated into Nepal’s existing public finance management, budget, and reporting systems. It also discussed the contribution of credible climate reporting to enhancing transparency, accountability, and access to climate finance.
CA Narendra Bhattarai, CA Vidur Luintel, international climate and carbon market expert Dr. Diwaldo Resende, and CA Prabin Kumar Jha delivered technical presentations. The final session, facilitated by ICAN Council Member CA Hari Kumar Silwal, included participation from ICAN Vice President CA Hem Kumar Kafle, and representatives from the accounting profession, banking, corporate, and energy sectors. Discussions centered on the expanding role of professional accountants in sustainability reporting, carbon accounting, climate finance consulting, and assurance services.
ICAN Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Reporting Frameworks
Addressing the program, ICAN President CA Anand Raj Sharma Wagle emphasized that Nepal must focus not only on raising awareness but also on the gradual development of the institutional systems, professional expertise, and reporting infrastructure necessary for credible sustainability and climate reporting.
Through this conference, ICAN reaffirmed its commitment to providing institutional and professional leadership in the development of Nepal’s sustainability reporting system. ICAN stated that it will continue its collaboration with government bodies, regulatory institutions, standard-setting bodies, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector for this purpose.
ICAN announced that it will continuously promote capacity building, policy dialogue, and professional preparedness in areas such as ESG reporting, NFRS S1 and S2, public sector climate reporting, carbon accounting, sustainable finance, and sustainability assurance services. Through these efforts, ICAN aims to contribute to establishing the accounting profession as a key partner in Nepal’s transition towards a more transparent, resilient, and sustainable economy.
