Chartered Accountants Ireland has called for more targeted support, incentives and clear communication to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play their full part in Northern Ireland’s transition to a net zero economy.
In its response to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan 2023–2027, Chartered Accountants Ireland, which represents 5,800 chartered accountants across Northern Ireland, highlights that while large companies are often well equipped to make energy and sustainability improvements, SMEs face unique barriers — from access to finance and skills, to navigating regulatory and administrative complexity.
Chartered Accountants Ireland’s response urges government to provide timely grants and meaningful incentives for SMEs, ensuring that businesses can modernise their systems and benefit from lower energy costs, improved efficiency, competitiveness, and access to finance. It also calls for administrative simplicity, stressing that “red tape” should be kept to a minimum so that smaller businesses can focus their limited resources on real climate action.
Susan Rossney, Sustainability Advocacy Manager with Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “SMEs make up the backbone of Northern Ireland’s economy and have enormous potential to contribute to the transition to net zero — but they need the right support at the right time. Incentives such as energy grants, simpler funding applications and reduced Climate Change Levy payments for businesses that actively manage their energy use could make a real difference.
“By helping SMEs take practical steps, government can unlock major economic and environmental benefits that will benefit both the businesses on their transformation journey, and wider society as a whole.”
Chartered Accountants Ireland also recommends that receipts from the Climate Change Levy be ring-fenced specifically for climate and nature projects, creating a transparent and fair link between business contributions and environmental outcomes.
In addition, the submission highlights the importance of accurate, reliable data on business emissions. Better data will allow government to fully understand the contribution of SMEs to Northern Ireland’s emissions and to design policies based on real-world evidence.
Chartered Accountants Ireland also emphasises the need for innovative solutions and effective communication with the business community — ensuring that climate information, support schemes and success stories reach companies in an accessible, inspiring and practical way.
Finally, Chartered Accountants Ireland’s submission welcomes the inclusion of commitments to protect and restore the natural environment, urging that biodiversity and climate action should be pursued hand in hand, with nature-based solutions made central to the plan’s delivery.
Susan Rossney added: “A sustainable economy depends on a healthy natural environment. Nature-based projects that restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity are not just good for the planet — they’re good for business resilience, community wellbeing and long-term growth.”
Chartered Accountants Ireland concludes that with the right supports, incentives and communications, especially for SMEs, Northern Ireland’s Climate Action Plan can set out a realistic, fair and transparent pathway towards a net zero and nature-positive economy which benefits everyone in society.
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