Strategic Sustainability Accounting for SDG Alignment: A New Framework for Competitive Advantage
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52103/jms.v6i2.2215Keywords:
Sustainability Accounting, SDG Alignment, Competitive AdvantageAbstract
This study examines how strategic sustainability accounting can be leveraged to align organizational practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while simultaneously strengthening competitive advantage. The purpose of the research is to develop an integrated conceptual understanding of how sustainability accounting functions as a strategic mechanism rather than a purely reporting-oriented activity. Using a qualitative literature-based methodology, the study synthesizes findings from contemporary academic research, institutional standards such as IFRS S1 and S2, and global sustainability frameworks including the SDGs and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Through thematic and integrative analysis, the research identifies patterns in how firms incorporate non-financial metrics into decision-making, manage sustainability-related risks, and translate SDG indicators into operational and strategic priorities. The results show that strategic sustainability accounting enables more coherent long-term planning, enhances cross-functional collaboration, and improves the organization’s ability to identify innovation opportunities and mitigate environmental and social risks. Furthermore, the findings reveal that firms with mature sustainability accounting systems demonstrate stronger stakeholder trust, greater resilience to regulatory changes, and improved competitive positioning in sustainability-driven markets. The study concludes that the integration of sustainability accounting and SDG alignment forms a critical foundation for sustainable value creation, offering both theoretical contributions to the understanding of sustainable management systems and practical implications for corporate governance and strategic decision-making. These insights establish a basis for future empirical research exploring organizational capabilities and performance outcomes associated with sustainability accounting.
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