The role of accounting in enabling the flourishing of nature: opportunities and challenges

Purpose Against the backdrop of the escalating biodiversity crisis, the purpose of this article is to explore the role of accounting in enabling the flourishing of nature. Specifically, I introduce an accounting framework for nonhuman flourishing that encompasses flourishing of ecological collectives, including ecosystems and species, and individual wild animals. In doing so, I highlight the challenges that may be faced and offer suggestions on ways forward. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual article adopts an interdisciplinary approach to discuss the potential role of accounting in enabling nonhuman flourishing. I introduce an accounting framework for nonhuman flourishing, drawing upon the Capabilities Approach to explore how accounting could support flourishing of wild animals, and extensions of this approach to support flourishing of species and ecosystems. Findings The positioning of accounting as an enabler of the flourishing of nature presents opportunities for accounting to play a greater role in biodiversity protection and restoration, whilst simultaneously making wild animals visible. The proposed accounting framework for nonhuman flourishing identifies opportunities for accounting to support nonhuman flourishing across ecological levels. In navigating the ethical tensions between simultaneously enabling flourishing of individual animals and ecological collectives, compassionate conservation provides guidance in ensuring individual animals remain within the scope of moral concern. Originality/value This article responds to Bebbington and Unerman's (2018) call to examine the Capabilities Approach in accounting and contributes to making animals visible in accounting (Vinnari and Vinnari, 2022). I provide initial insights into nonhuman flourishing within the context of accounting and explore what it might mean for accounting to support the flourishing of nature across ecological levels.