In this week’s sustainability/ESG bulletin we bring you news of the Irish Government’s Climate Conversation, which invites people across the country to fill in an online questionnaire about Ireland’s climate. Also covered is new funding for social enterprise projects, a public consultation opened on a proposed small-scale renewable electricity generation scheme, the UK Government’s response to the ISSB exposure drafts, and the EU’s plans to measure progress on Green Deal environment and climate goals.
The Climate Conversation 2022
The Irish Government is inviting people across the country to contribute to the 2022 Climate Conversation. Through an online questionnaire people can give their views on shopping, reuse and recycling, food and food waste, heating homes and businesses, sustainable living, local environment and climate change, as well as how actions in these areas – by individuals, Government, businesses and society as a whole – can positively impact our climate goals. This initiative is part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) which aims to empower everyone in society to help the Government co-design the annual Climate Action Plan.
You don’t need to be a climate expert for your opinion to be valued, but you might find the Climate Jargon Buster useful, as well as Climate Essentials for Accountants. The survey closes 9 September 2022.
10 minutes of your time can make a huge difference!
€1.5 million announced for Scaling-up Scheme for Social Enterprise
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, has announced a €1.5 million Scaling-up Scheme for Social Enterprise, funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund. The scheme, which is open to applicants from now until 15 September 2022, is designed to improve the impact and sustainability of social enterprises, i.e. businesses that work to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services, but any surpluses they generate are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives, rather than maximising profit for their owners.
Public consultation opens on small-scale renewable electricity generation scheme
The Government has opened a public consultation to gather stakeholder feedback on aspects of a proposed support scheme for Small-Scale Generation (SSG), i.e. renewable electricity generation technologies with an electricity output greater than 50kW, but smaller than typical commercial generators. The scheme aims to fill the gap in tariff-based supports between the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) and the larger Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), and to provide an easier route to market for community projects while enabling farmers, businesses and others to maximise their participation in the energy transition. The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm on Thursday 29 September 2022.
UK Government’s response to International Sustainability Standards Board exposure drafts
The UK Government has responded to the first two exposure drafts from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB): IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (General Requirements Exposure Draft); and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures (Climate Exposure Draft). Read the response here.
The UK Endorsement Board (UKEB) – the body that influences, endorses and adopts new or amended international accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for use by UK companies – has also published its Final Comment Letter and Feedback Statement on the drafts.
EU to measure progress on Green Deal environment and climate goals
The European Commission has presented a list of headline indicators for monitoring progress towards the EU’s environment and climate goals to 2030, as well as the 2050 long-term vision to ‘live well, within planetary boundaries'.
The indicators will capture progress towards environmental wellbeing, including economic and social aspects, and will include the 2-3 most policy relevant and statistically robust indicators for each of the thematic priority objectives to 2030, covering climate mitigation, climate adaptation, circular economy, zero pollution, and biodiversity.
Commenting, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, in charge of the European Green Deal, said: “We have very ambitious environmental and climate targets to help us deliver the just green transition that Europe and the world needs. But what you cannot measure, you cannot manage. To keep us on track, we need to keep a close eye on whether we are meeting our goals. These indicators help us do so.”
The Commission will report annually on the progress made, based on stocktaking done by the European Environment Agency from 2023 onwards, with the help of the selected headline indicators.
Of interest
- Accountancy Ireland (Aug/Sept 2022) has just published with articles on offshore energy, social enterprise, ESG reporting and ethical business (Accountancy Ireland)
- How to shop in season in Ireland this August (RTÉ)
- Explaining greenwashing (RTÉ)
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You can find information, guidance and supports to help members understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.
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