Current environmental accounting problematic: a shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism

Abstract

This study goes beyond celebration of catalogue of achievements in voluntary environmental disclosures in corporate annual reports, into actual commitment by the industrialised world in tackling environmental degradation. It critically evaluates the mainstream theoretical arguments, and contributions made by critical theory literature. Discussion then shifts to the failed promises of Marx and Habermas on ecological crisis. As a way forward, an ecocentric perspective is introduced, one that draws upon an ecologically informed philosophy of internal relatedness to narrow the gap between ‘good news’ environmental disclosures and actual commitment to environmental protection. The paper ends with some limitations of ecocentrism, followed by discussion and conclusion.