Evolution of social and environmental accounting: reflections on the constitutive role of accounting

In an effort to assess and broaden the challenges raised at the time by Carrasco and Larrinaga (1996), this paper is a reflection on the constitutive role of accounting as the germ of the social and environmental accounting project. It takes into consideration the advancement of accounting knowledge since that date or, at least, the advancement the authors are aware of. We have reviewed the various approaches to social and environmental accounting, as well as the spatial and temporal dimensions of sustainability and their implications for accounting. The paper concludes by drawing attention to the serious detriment caused by the ESG approach, which will have the effect of rendering invisible all social and environmental information that is not financially material. It was also concluded that Latin America must play a leading role in developing concepts that will enable the creation of accounting for the Anthropocene.