In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about the research showing that Irish SMEs consider sustainability important, Ireland’s new Circular Economy Strategy 2026–2028, a major review of regulations to address delays in infrastructure delivery, developments in transport, and a call for greater focus on resilience across SMEs and communities. Final UK Sustainability Reporting Standards have published, along with CBAM consultations in Northern Ireland, while the EU has adopted amendments to CSRD and CSDDD. This, plus the latest articles, technical content, resources and upcoming events.
IRELAND
Vast majority of Irish SMEs say sustainability is important
Research carried out by Amárach research on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has found that more than four in five businesses (85 percent) say sustainability is important to the day-to-day running of their business.
The findings of the second phase of SME Sustainability Research – Wave 2 were announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD and are in line with the previous year’s findings. Read more
Ireland’s Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028
The Government of Ireland has launched Ireland’s Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028, setting out the national plan to accelerate Ireland’s transition from a linear ‘take make waste’ model to a circular, sustainable economy. The strategy aims to enhance Ireland’s ability to keep materials and products in use for longer, reduce waste and enable circular innovation across every sector of society. This, it states, will build resilience in supply chains, lower emissions, and strengthen Ireland's competitiveness as part of its broader climate and green enterprise agenda. The Strategy builds on the policy foundations including the Circular Economy Act 2022, the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (2020), the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027, the Climate Action Plan, and the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024-2030.
Major review of regulations to tackle barriers to infrastructure delivery to commence
The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD has established a new Infrastructure Regulatory Simplification Unit in his Department to support the speedier delivery of critical infrastructure projects. The establishment of the Unit marks the commencement of Action 9 of the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan, which aims to support the simplification of overlapping and unduly complex regulatory frameworks – the complexity of which is leading to delays in the delivery of critical infrastructure. Minister Chambers will direct officials to issue a circular to all Departments and Regulatory Bodies setting out Principles for Better Regulation in the coming weeks.
Funding announced under new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced the publication of the new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. The Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport under the recent NDP Review will provide almost €45 million capital investment under the Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030, with €9 million in capital supports available for allocation in 2026.
Separately, a November 2025 European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, updated on 20 February, has revealed that air pollution from shipping and aviation is rising, with consequences on health and on Europe’s economy due to increased healthcare costs, reduced life expectancy, and lost working days across sectors. It also damages vegetation and ecosystems, water and soil quality, and local ecosystems, with consequent economic and financial impacts.
Report finds that resilience of SMEs, households, communities needs focus
A new report from the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) has found that resilience of households, communities and SMEs needs more focus from Government. The report, Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable Energy System, the fourth in a series on the topic of energy policy to be published in 2025, examines the energy sector in Ireland using ‘systems thinking tools’ to identify approaches to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system. The report calls on Ireland to “urgently reduce GHG emissions” by substantially reducing overall fossil fuel use, deploying low-emission energy sources, switching to alternative energy carriers, and engaging in energy efficiency and conservation (as recommend by the IPCC in 2022), p28). Despite many plans and strategies in place, Ireland is not on track to meet its climate and energy targets.
NORTHERN IRELAND/UK
Final UK Sustainability Reporting Standards publish
The UK government has published the final UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) for voluntary use in the UK. The standards are based on IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. ‘UK SRS S1’ and ‘UK SRS S2’ set out a framework for corporate disclosures. UK SRS S1 includes the general framework for applying UK SRS, as well as requirements on general sustainability-related risks and opportunities. UK SRS S2 sets out requirements on climate-related risks and opportunities.
UK CBAM: consultation, guidance and workshops
HMRC is seeking to gather feedback from stakeholders on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the drafting of the draft secondary legislation to ensure that it delivers the policy correctly and effectively for the tax to operate as intended and provide for administrative matters. CBAM will place a carbon price on specified goods imported to the UK from sectors that are at risk of carbon leakage. It takes effect from 1 January 2027. This technical consultation sets out the draft secondary legislation that will come into effect on 1 January 2027 alongside Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) being introduced. Any responses to or queries about this consultation should be sent by email to cbampolicyteam@hmrc.gov.uk by 11:59pm on 24 March 2026, using the subject line ‘CBAM technical consultation response’ and clearly referencing the relevant parts of the legislation.
Separately, Invest NI has produced business guidance which explains the EU and UK CBAM rules. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced in 2023 and is fully in place from 2026. It outlines what information you need to collect, who you need to share it with, and the key dates to plan for, and provides a practical toolkit, including checklists, carbon calculators, and templates, to help you prepare and manage the process more easily. Invest NI is also running workshops to provide Northern Ireland businesses with a clear overview of CBAM and who it applies to, guidance on data, documentation and reporting and practical next steps to support clients and internal teams.
EUROPE
CSRD and CSDDD amendments published in Official Journal
The amendments to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) have been officially published in the Official Journal of the EU, exactly one year from when the Commission presented its proposal on 26 February 2025. This marks the formal legal step following the Council’s vote, and starts the timeline toward entry into force and national transposition. There are now 20 days before it becomes effective and can be transposed into national laws. Member States have 12 months to transpose the CSRD-related amendments into national law. CSDDD changes must be implemented by July 26, 2028.
Industrial transformation and decarbonisation developments in Europe
A new briefing from the European Environment Agency (EEA) 'Zero pollution, decarbonisation and circular economy in energy-intensive industries' has found that energy-intensive industries account for around 27 percent of EU industrial greenhouse gas emissions and a large share of key air pollutants, including sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The analysis focuses on key energy-intensive sectors: iron and steel, cement and lime, aluminium, pulp and paper, glass and clay, and chemicals and analyses long-term trends in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. It also projects air pollutant emission reductions and outlines pathways that could support further progress.
Separately, European Movement Ireland has produced a ‘Just the Facts’ overview on the Industrial Accelerator Act. Formerly known as the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), aims to help energy-intensive industries (EIIs) in Europe continue to decarbonise while maintaining their competitiveness internationally. The factsheet provides the IAA’s core objectives and measures, as well as key challenges to implementation – notably reported divisions over “Made in EU” criteria and tensions between the competitiveness and sustainability agendas.
WORLD
New analysis on the state-of-play for air pollution reporting
A deep-dive study on the pollution disclosure practices of publicly listed companies around the world finds that measurable emissions data and information on individual pollutants are uneven or lacking. The air pollution reporting gap: Evidence from 1,000 organizations across high-emitting sectors, produced by GRI with support from the Clean Air Fund, examines 2023-2024 sustainability reports spanning eight sectors. Key insights include that companies talk about air pollution more than they measure it, most businesses do not disclose pollutants known to impact health and the environment, higher quality reporting is provided by organisations that use global standards and reporting practices vary sector by sector. The analysis also highlights signs of progress, with some companies expanding the range of pollutants they track over time.
RESOURCES
Accountancy Europe Sustainability Update
Accountancy Europe has released its February 2026 sustainability update. Key highlights:
- European Central Bank issues opinion on revised ESRS
- European Commission updates its request to CEAOB for technical advice on limited assurance standard
- Council to greenlight agreement on Omnibus Directive
Accounting for Sustainability
The latest issue of Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)’s newsletter has published. Key highlights:
ARTICLES
EVENTS
Chartered Accountants Ireland Ulster Society, Legal Webinar: Green Loans and Reporting Requirements
This webinar with Hannah McDaid and Katie Britton from A&L Goodbody will provide an update on the fast-evolving landscape of green loans, highlighting key legal developments and the principles driving the loan market. A&L Goodbody will provide an overview of the reporting requirements for borrowers, external verification options for green projects, the distinction between green and sustainability-linked loans and the significance of qualitative vs quantitative indicators. Speakers will explore operational impacts on borrowers and include an overview of the regulatory and risk landscape.
Virtual, via Zoom | Tuesday 3 March, 1pm - 2pm |Free, but registration required
Chartered Accountants Ireland, ICAS, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: What you need to know
Join us at a webinar on Thursday 12 March on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: What you need to know. Learn how CBAM currently operates and what its implementation is revealing in practice.
Virtual, 12 March, 11am-12pm.
UN Global Compact Network UK Webinar Series, The Business Role in Systems Change, Feb/Mar 2026
Businesses are facing escalating risks as the world approaches critical tipping points. Corporate resilience now depends on the transformation of markets, supply chains, and business models needed to steer the system towards stability. There is also potential for positive tipping points - moments when small, well-directed actions accelerate large-scale transitions towards sustainability. Businesses hold a unique capacity to create and amplify these dynamics of change. In these webinars, leading scholars and experts will discuss tipping points, climate risk, and systems change, how to respond to emerging climate realities and apply breakthrough frameworks such as the Positive Tipping Points Toolkit and Doughnut Economics to unlock change at multiple scales.
Webinar sessions:
Understanding Tipping Points Risks, Feb 26 | 14:00
Systems Thinking in Business and Climate, Mar 5 | 14:00
Triggering Positive Tipping Points, Mar 12 | 14:00
Shift, EU Omnibus Webinar - Briefing for business on the revised CSDDD and performing due diligence
This webinar will feature insights from the Shift team and leading businesses on practical, real‑world approaches to implementing due diligence aligned with good practice. The session will explore how due diligence requirements under the CSDDD and reporting obligations under the CSRD can be addressed in an integrated way, rather than treated as separate exercises. Companies in scope of the CSDDD or operating within their value chains are encouraged to attend.
Virtual, Thursday, 26 February 2026 | 09:00
SEAI, EXEED Energy Efficient Design Training
Join our exclusive free half-day training and become a leader in energy-efficient design. The SEAI EXEED team invites you to a dynamic training session designed to upskill professionals and stakeholders in the Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) process. This training is ideal for those aiming to become an Energy Efficient Design (EED) Expert.
Virtual, Friday 27 February, 9am - 1pm
Enterprise Ireland, Sustainability Kickstarter Workshops
A half‑day workshop series designed to support business leaders in recognising the strategic importance of sustainability and decarbonisation. The sessions provide practical skills to integrate core sustainability principles, identify competitive opportunities, and build actionable plans to meet rising customer expectations for sustainable products and services. Workshops | Dates & Times
• Friday, 27 February 2026 | Half‑day workshop
• Friday, 20 March 2026 | Half‑day workshop
• Friday, 17 April 2026 | Half‑day workshop
• Friday, 8 May 2026 | Half‑day workshop
Shift, EU Omnibus Webinar - Briefing for business on the revised CSRD and reporting on sustainability issues
The session will examine what recent changes to the CSRD and the ESRS mean in practice for how companies report on sustainability issues. The webinar will feature insights from the Shift team, alongside leading businesses, on implementation approaches that reflect good practice, support companies in identifying and addressing key risks, and remain practical and workable in real-world contexts. The discussion will also explore how reporting obligations under the CSRD and due diligence requirements under the CSDDD should be considered together, rather than in isolation. If your company is in scope of the CSRD, or part of the value chain of a company that is, we encourage you to join us.
Virtual, 3 March 2026 | 15:00
Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, What Does ‘Good’ Look Like in Corporate Reporting?
The final session in the Pentland Centre’s free webinar series for SMEs explores what effective reporting on nature and biodiversity looks like. Drawing on global examples, this webinar highlights best practices and practical approaches for integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate reporting.
Virtual, Thursday 12 March 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Sustainability Centre
You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.
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