ISSA 5000 in sustainability assurance amidst emerging regulation and new technologies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71112/1dkjnw51Keywords:
sustainability assurance, information credibility, double materiality, ISSA 5000, ESG informationAbstract
The assurance of sustainability information is one of the most urgent challenges facing the global accounting ecosystem. International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000, issued by the IAASB in 2024, represents the first principles-based and multidisciplinary global standard for verifying ESG reports across any sector and reporting framework. Through a systematic literature review, this article analyzes the purpose, principles, and practical implications of the standard; its interplay with the GRI, the ISSB, and the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive; empirical evidence regarding the impact of assurance on reporting quality; and the potential of artificial intelligence and blockchain in assurance engagements. The findings are aligned with SDGs 16 and 17 of the 2030 Agenda, and theoretical implications and practical recommendations are formulated for researchers, practitioners, and regulators within the international accounting and finance sphere.
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