Accounting Analysis for ESG-related Transactions and the Impact on Derivatives

This paper considers the growing trend of market participants entering into transactions linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors to further promote sustainability goals. It aims to identify and illustrate how ESG factors impact accounting and reporting on embedded ESG features under US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP), and includes comparisons to International Financial Reporting Standards.

As ESG features become more pervasive in the market, alternative approaches to assessing ESG features could be introduced under US GAAP to alleviate the operational burden on companies when entering into green transactions. At present, ISDA members believe the existing accounting frameworks, as they relate to ESG-linked transaction activity, do not provide decision-useful information to users of the financial statements.

The paper proposes that ESG-related issues are better covered through qualitative sustainability disclosures that many entities are already reporting on.

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Documents (1) for Accounting Analysis for ESG-related Transactions and the Impact on Derivatives

Expanding the Universe of Eligible VM

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ISDA Response on Hedge Accounting Guidance

On August 14, ISDA responded to an exposure draft from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). ISDA broadly supports the FASB’s proposed targeted improvements to hedge accounting, including allowing interest rate hedging of held-to-maturity (HTM) debt securities, recognizing all Secured...

Joint Response to EBA Consultation

On August 12, ISDA and the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) responded to the European Banking Authority’s discussion paper on certain taxonomy key performance indicators (KPIs) and other aspects of the Disclosures Delegated Act  under Article 8 of...

Response to JSCC on Clearing Fund Consolidation

On August 12, ISDA responded to the Japan Securities Clearing Corporation’s (JSCC) consultation on its proposal to consolidate clearing fund consumption, calculation and deposit segmentation across six clearing qualifications under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. ISDA members broadly support...