In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about the deadline extension for Ireland’s SDG Champions Programme and the publication of resources for climate adaptation in Ireland’s transport sector. Also covered is a consultation on the design of the hydrogen and carbon capture and storage supply chain fund in the UK, grants for Northern Ireland businessesinvolved in sustainability and youth programmes, funding under the EU’s EENergy project, the FRC’s regulatory review of sustainability assurance services, and a new report from the World Meteorological Organization on climate change indicators in 2023, as well as the usual articles, videos, podcasts, and upcoming events.
IRELAND
Expressions of Interest for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions Programme
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has extended its deadline for expressions of interest for its 2024-2025 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions Programme. The programme, established in 2019, aims to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Further information can be found on the DECC website and the new deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday, 8 April 2024.
Climate adaptation in Ireland’s transport sector
The Department of Transport has published resources and research into the adaption of the transport sector in Ireland. The term ‘adaptation’ refers to how we adapt our society and economy in response to climate change. It means the changes in our processes, practices, and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change. The Department’s resources include information on adaptation, sectoral and National Adaptation Frameworks, international adaptation Governance and Reporting, Climate Adaptation and Transport Sub-sectors, and Resources and Transport Research, all of which can be found here.
For more on adaption, you can also sign up for the Climate Ireland Adaptation Network newsletter by emailing climateireland@epa.ie.
NORTHERN IRELAND & UK
Consultation on design of the hydrogen and CCUS supply chain fund
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is seeking evidence to help inform the design of the hydrogen and CCUS Green Industries Growth Accelerator (GIGA) supply chain fund. The Green Industries Growth Accelerator (GIGA) is a £960 million fund announced in Autumn 2023 to support the expansion of strong and sustainable clean energy supply chains across the United Kingdom. The closing date for responses is Tuesday 23 April 2024.
Grants for business involved in sustainability and youth programmes
Grants of up to £40,000 are being made available for eligible organisations in Northern Ireland that are working with children and young people to deliver Sustainable Youth, the Environment and Sustainability Curriculum model developed by Ulster Wildlife on behalf of the Education Authority Youth Service. Eligible types of business include those working with children and young people in Northern Ireland with a turnover of under £1 million in their last financial year, and community interest companies (CIC) and/or not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee (with a not-for-profit ‘asset lock’ clause). Funding is for two years and organisations can apply for up to a maximum of £20,000 a year (£40,000 in total); applications at all funding levels are encouraged. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 12 April 2024.
Assurance of Sustainability Reporting Market Study - FRC
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is conducting a market study into the market for the assurance of sustainability reporting. The study will focus on how well the UK sustainability assurance market is functioning, whether this market is delivering desirable outcomes including high quality assurance with minimal burdens and costs on business, and how the market may develop in the future. It will centre on the impact of sustainability assurance across UK companies, considering how sustainability assurance impacts companies, investors and the wider assurance market. The closing date for responses is 13 June 2024.
GLOBAL
Climate change indicators reached record levels in 2023
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirms that 2023 broke records for many climate indicators. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending every-day life for millions, according to The State of Global Climate, which also reports that the cost of climate inaction will be higher than cost of climate action. It does point to “a glimmer of hope,” which it identifies as the renewable energy transition.
Did you know?
Under the EENergy grant companies can apply for and claim €10,000 to spend on energy-saving activities in their business. In two years EENergy project will distribute €9 million in form of 900+ grants for SMEs throughout Europe to engage in activities, purchases or integrations that will improve their overall energy spendings with a minimum of 5 percent. Each company can apply for maximum €10,000 grant with 100 percent financing. Find out more at https://eenergy-project.eu/
Listen
Five Degrees of Change: Tomás Sercovich, Business in the Community Ireland (Podcast) (65 mins)
Watch
A recording of Chartered Accountants Worldwide 4th Episode of Difference Makers Discuss , where Institute President Sinead Donovan met Naomi Walsh, Vice President of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Naomi's journey from regional Tasmania to international success, marked by pivotal roles including the UK Olympics, offers lessons in resilience. She discusses overcoming bias, global networking, and accountants' evolving role in sustainability, promoting integration of Sustainable Development Goals in accounting, citing Tasmania's carbon accounting leadership.
Articles
- Here’s how professional service providers can step up for climate action (Financial Times – Sustainable Views)
- One-in-five believe firms supporting neurodivergent staff, survey finds (RTE News)
- Emissions connected to top oil and gas firms may cause millions of heat deaths by 2100, study finds (The Guardian)
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – The stakes are too high for greenwashing (Business & Finance)
Upcoming Events
- ICAEW, Sustainability for Business
Gain insights on integrating sustainability into business operations, going beyond just carbon to consider the broader impacts and dependencies on people and planet.
23 April, 08:15 - 12:00, In person. Chartered Accountants Hall, One Moorgate Place, London, EC2R 6EA, UK
- Accountancy Europe and others How can company boards lead the sustainability transition? The event will also draw on the recent Accountancy Europe, ecoDa and ECIIA publication ESG Governance: questions boards should ask to lead the sustainability transition which sets out practical questions that boards should consider in their efforts on ESG, sustainability transition planning, delivery on sustainability objectives and limiting greenwashing risks.
10 April, 10:30-12:00 CET, Virtual
- Chartered Accountants Ireland ESG Masterclass: Take your sustainability knowledge to the next level (ROI/NI)
Masterclass designed for all professional accountants working in business or practice, wishing to consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the sustainability regulatory, reporting and assurance landscape.
18 April, 08:30 – 13.00, Virtual
- Dublin Chamber, Sustainability Academy – Sustainability ESG 101
In today's world, consumers and investors are placing a growing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Our introductory Sustainability/ESG 101 course equips business professionals across all sectors with the foundational knowledge they need to navigate this evolving landscape.
19 Apr 2024, 09:30 AM - 12:00, Webinar
- ICAS Sustainability Summit
This event, hosted in association with Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), will bring together sustainability experts and forward-thinking business leaders to explore how we can accelerate the vital business changes needed to save our planet. A specialist line-up of speakers and panellists will delve into the future of sustainable business, the role of technology in the climate transition and the evolving sustainability reporting landscape. The summit also marks the launch of ICAS’ sustainability business network – a collaborative community where professionals can share and benefit from sustainability-related insights.
In person, Edinburgh, 25 April 2024.
- ICAEW, Preparing your business for the green workforce, (time to be confirmed)
This webinar will provide an overview of the latest trends on green skills in the UK economy and the key steps businesses are to take to develop an inclusive green talent pipeline. The speakers will feature case studies of UK businesses that have implemented green skills development initiatives and key recommendations.
21 May, Virtual
- National Sustainability Summit 2024
Dates: May 28-29
Locations: RDS
- EPA Circular Economy Conference 2024.
The event takes place in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Wednesday 25th September 2024.
25 September, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects
Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities?
Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting.
• Next meeting: Wednesday, 24 April, 14:00-15.30
• Teams
If you would like to attend, please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie
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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