This book explores the historical and theoretical classification of True Cost Accounting (TCA) and its business-oriented ways of implementation. It will interest students and scholars of environmental economics and inspire practitioners in sustainable supply chain management and social accounting.
This book explores the historical and theoretical classification of True Cost Accounting (TCA) and its business-oriented ways of implementation.
Tobias Gaugler, Jennifer Kunz and Amelie Michalke provide compact and comprehensible insights into True Cost Accounting, which is one approach used to comprehensively assess actual (human or natural) resource consumption and implement this assessment into companies internal controlling. To achieve this goal, the volume locates this approach in existing economic theory, and shows its historical roots and progressions. The authors then present different methodological approaches within TCA and highlight how practitioners might implement these approaches in their business. To illustrate the importance of TCA, a number of practical examples that are already present in the market are also featured.
This volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of environmental economics. Further, practitioners in (sustainable) supply chain management, as well as ecological and social accounting and controlling can use it for inspiration and guidance. Additionally, this book and the inherent ideas will give policymakers in economic and social politics recommendations for action.
Part I: Overview
1. Bridging the Gap between Ecology, Society and Economy
Dr. Amelie Michalke
Key Takeaways
1.1 Sustainability in the Anthropocene
1.2 An approach to bridge the gap: True Cost Accounting
Review questions
References
Part II: Theoretical background and development
2. Development of True Cost Accounting
Prof. Dr. Tobias Gaugler
Key Takeaways
2.1 Theory-based classification and economic foundations
2.2 External effects and their implications at company level
2.3 Scientific background of True Cost Accounting
2.3.1 The Impact-Weighted Accounts Framework
2.3.2 Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity (TEEB) and the Capitals
Coalition
2.3.3 Sustainable Performance Accounting
2.3.4 Auditing and Accounting firms view on True Cost Accounting
References
3. Status Quo of True Cost Accounting
Dr. Amelie Michalke
Key Takeaways
3.1 Accounting true costs: a method to monetize environmental and social
impact
3.2 Qualification of relevant indicators
3.3 Quantification of environmental and social impact
3.4 Monetization and Internalization
3.5 Communication
References
Part III: True Cost Accounting in Business Practice
4. True Cost Accounting as Part of Accounting
Prof. Dr. Jennifer Kunz
Key Takeaways
4.1 TCA as enrichment of classical accounting
4.2 Current trends in accounting
4.3 TCA as part of a sustainable management and early detection system
4.4 Practical ways to stepwise implement TCA
Review questions
References
5. True Cost Accounting in Practice: Case Studies
Prof. Dr. Tobias Gaugler
Key Takeaways
5.1 Atmosfair: Fostering Climate-Conscious Travel through TCA
5.2 ClimatePartner: Enabling Corporate Climate Neutrality through TCA
5.3 EU Organic Label
5.4 Bioland
5.5 We Care The Seal for Sustainable Corporate and Supply Chain Management
5.6 "Du bist hier der Chef": Empowering Consumers through True Cost
Accounting
5.7 EOSTA: Transparency for fruits and vegetables
5.8 PENNY: True costs in German food retailers
References
Part IV: Conclusion
6. Implications of TCA for Different Stakeholders
Prof. Dr. Jennifer Kunz
Key Takeaways
6.1 Role of key stakeholders
6.2 Key aspects related to TCA
Review questions
References
Amelie Michalke is a postdoc at the Nuremberg Institute of Technology, Germany, and the co-founder of Patos, a consultancy for life cycle assessment and TCA.
Jennifer Kunz is a full professor and head of the Chair of Management Accounting and Management Control at the University of Augsburg, Germany.
Tobias Gaugler is research professor at the Nuremberg Institute of Technology, Germany, and head of the Competence Center for Sustainable Food and Resource Management.
