THE ROLE OF GREEN ACCOUNTING IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the role of green accounting in advancing environmental sustainability in Nigeria, focusing on its integration into corporate reporting and decision‑making. Green accounting, also referred to as environmental accounting, incorporates environmental costs and benefits into financial reporting to promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable development. The study employed a survey research design to assess public awareness, corporate compliance, and perceived benefits of green accounting. Primary data were collected from 76 respondents in Osun State, Nigeria, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicate that while public awareness of green accounting is growing, adoption and implementation within Nigerian companies remain limited due to the absence of legal frameworks, organizational support, and professional guidelines. The findings reveal strong public support for incorporating environmental accounting into company reporting systems and highlight its potential to enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, reduce environmental degradation, and improve long‑term business performance. The study recommends the integration of environmental accounting standards into national legislation, continuous public sensitization, and corporate capacity‑building programs to strengthen green accounting practices in Nigeria. By linking environmental responsibility with financial accountability, this research underscores green accounting’s critical role in driving sustainable business practices in emerging economies.