Still Worth It? The Business Case for Sustainability in 2026

Sustainability and ESG has been transforming the accounting profession like nothing else in the past 50 years. 

Recently, we witnessed a huge shift, due to the current USA government’s position to undue ESG regulations and gains made so far. This has resulted in large companies backtracking and abandoning their previously stated sustainability commitments. Some might conclude that sustainability is not longer a concern.

However, I am convinced of the need to work earnestly on sustainability. The political shift will not solve the climate crisis; it will worsen things. Scientists are warning us about the dire climate related consequences, these consequences will get worse due to the current political situation.  

This insightful presentation will inform professional accountants about the evolving responsibilities driven by the establishment of the ISSB and the growing emphasis on ESG and sustainability standards. Learn how professional accountants can lead in risk assessment, strategic decision-making, and guiding organizations through disruptive times. Gain the knowledge and tools needed to develop, implement, and evaluate successful ESG initiatives—ensuring you stay ahead of the curve and remain a trusted advisor in this new era.  

Founder and Lead Instructor, UltimQuest Knowledge Inc. Arun Mathur, FCPA, FCA

Arun is a retired Partner at Gerald Duthie & Co. LLP, where he provided professional services to a diverse group of clients. Arun is also Founder and Lead Instructor at UltimQuest Knowledge Inc. He has been delivering corporate training on improving governance, ethics, internal control, performance measurement and related topics. He provides live and online training through CPA bodies across Canada and Bermuda. Arun served for several years on the Board for HealthForce Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency, and was also Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee there and for the Trillium Gift of Life Network. He has served on the CMA Ontario's Review Committee prior to the merger.

What others have said about this session

  • "I really enjoyed this course and I appreciate the effort you put into the contents and delivery. You have inspired me to look for more ways to incorporate ESG into my role within my organization."

  • "Thank you very much for an engaging and interesting course this morning. I appreciate your style of explaining things in “plain English” rather than getting to technical. This was a worthwhile investment of time!"

  • "Great overarching information on ESG, ESG metrics/KPIs"

  • "You made a complicated topic easy to understand."

  • "Very easy to understand, concepts were simplified for the audience, Good tie-in of ESG to ethics, it was a different perspective looking at ESG for CPAs"

  • "As someone who did not know what ESG is, this was a great introduction to ESG. it gave me insight as to what it is, how my company may have it in place and how a company can involved more in ESG"

  • "Thanks again! Was very interesting and gave me some things to think about and discuss with our CFO."

  • "Arun, I like that your course is relevant, and it is not technical. I think this gives CPA a great perspective of an emerging non-financial risk and how CPAs contribute and "be at the table". Speaking from personal experiences, I often downplay our skills as a CPA as to "number crunching and financials" only, but your course highlights the opportunities where CPAs can contribute with the skills and competencies we developed to be part of the professional. I like that you highlighted risk concepts such as "risk appetite, risk assessment, risk management". These are important concepts to understand. This is a great course to not only learn about ESG, but also have CPAs think from a different lens."