Carbon Accounting and Financial Performance: A Comparative Study of Retail and Public Sector Institutions

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between carbon accounting practices and financial performance across retail and public sector institutions, with particular focus on Starbucks Corporation as a retail exemplar. Through comparative analysis utilizing GHG Protocol frameworks and established financial key performance indicators (KPIs), this research reveals significant divergences in carbon accounting methodologies, disclosure practices, and their subsequent impact on financial outcomes. The findings demonstrate that while retail organizations like Starbucks show direct correlations between sustainability investments and market valuation, public sector institutions exhibit more complex relationships driven by regulatory compliance and social responsibility mandates rather than profit maximization. This comparative study contributes to the growing body of literature on environmental accounting by providing empirical evidence of sector-specific variations in carbon accounting effectiveness and financial performance implications.