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In the last week, the CCAB-I responded to the consultation on the Employer Permits Occupations Lists launched in July by the Department for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. The Employer Permits Occupations Lists comprise the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) and the Ineligible Occupations List (IOL). The current inclusion of accountants on the CSOL – highly skilled professional roles in high demand not always available in the resident labour force so eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) – ensures that firms can employ non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps. In the submission, the CCAB-I recommends that accountants be kept on the CSOL as there remains a critical shortage of qualified accountants in Ireland and an insufficient pipeline studying to become accountants to meet both current and future demand. We highlight that the accountancy profession plays a pivotal role in delivering vital professional services and advice to all sectors of the Irish economy. It contributes to the economy through the activities of professional accounting firms (providing essential audit, tax, consulting services) and the work of professionally qualified accountants operating in finance and leadership roles across all sectors. The submission references the Oxford Economics report, The Accountancy Profession in the UK and Ireland (2024), highlighting that the profession contributed €19.8 billion to Irish GDP in 2022 – 15% (€3 billion) of this from professional accounting firms, 85% (€16.8 billion) made up of the value provided by in-house accountants working in Irish businesses. The profession’s contribution to the Irish economy has increased by 53% since this report was last compiled in 2017. Across the EU it is widely recognised that there is a general shortage of accountants, and our member firms have communicated to us the ongoing difficulties they are having in recruiting experienced hires from within the EEA. These capacity shortages have been exacerbated by domestic housing shortages as well as the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. To address the lack of available skilled labour, large numbers of non-EEA qualified accountants are already being heavily relied upon for the purposes of filling vacant accounting roles in Ireland. Therefore, it is vital that accountants remain part of the CSOL to adequately meet ongoing capacity shortages. The last review of the Employer Permits Occupations Lists took place in 2023.

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin read about Chartered Accountants Ireland’s support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Week. Also covered are Government consultations on the development of a Social Climate Plan, a Circular Economy Strategy, Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance new guidance on environmental and climate impacts in programme project development, updates on renewable energy auctions and supports, and news from the UN General Assembly, along with the usual articles, resources and upcoming events.   Chartered Accountants Ireland Chartered Accountants Ireland, in partnership with the Institute of Bankers (IOB),  held a weeklong programme of team-focused activities this week to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals by participating in the UN’s Global Goals Week - an annual week of action, awareness, and accountability for the Sustainable Goals. The programme included recycling and energy webinars, a pop-up charity shop in aid of The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, a seminar on nature, risk and finance, and a networking and climate-focused event for our ACA Professionals to connect, reflect, and celebrate our shared commitment to sustainability.   IRELAND United Nation’s Global Goals Week The theme for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (‘UNGA 80’), which began this week in New York, is: “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights”, emphasising the importance of multilateralism in the negotiation of peace and towards building a shared future and accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Key themes include gender equality, climate action, AI governance, and mental health. Ireland is marking 70 years of UN membership, and the UNGA is an “opportunity for Ireland to reaffirm its commitment to global cooperation and sustainable development”. On Friday 26 September Taoiseach Micheál Martin will deliver the National Statement to the United National Statement to the United Nations General Assembly. Consultation launches on development of national Social Climate Plan The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has launched a consultation on the development of a national Social Climate Plan, which will set out measures to be co-financed from the EU Social Climate Fund, the first EU fund specifically designed to alleviate energy and transport poverty arising from the transition to clean mobility and a decarbonised built environment. The Plan aims to set out measures to address the impacts of this transition on vulnerable groups, including businesses. The consultation is open until October 23, 2025. Circular economy funding announced and consultation launched Applications have opened for the 2025 funding round of the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS). €650,000 funding is now available to support community groups, social enterprises, and SMEs driving circular economy innovation across Ireland. The CEIGS is designed to support innovative circular economy projects led by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Separately, a public consultation on Ireland's Second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy has been launched, proposing a range of actions and associated targets across key sectors. Among the Strategy’s core objectives is ‘decoupling economic growth from resource use’. A report released this week by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland state that Ireland needs to recycle an additional 400,000 tonnes of waste every year, with packaging-waste-generation increasing almost four times faster than recycling since 2016. Potential tax revenue not collected due to jet kerosene excise exemption Fossil fuel subsidies decreased to €4.7 billion in 2024 and petrol tax per tonne of carbon dioxide increased by 22 percent, according to the CSO statistical release on Fossil Fuel Subsidies 2024. The release also revealed that the revenue forgone, or the amount of potential tax revenue not collected, due to the excise exemption for jet kerosene (used in commercial aviation) was €720 million in 2024, representing an increase of 19 percent from 2023. The reduced excise rate on road diesel when compared to the petrol excise rate led to €370 million in forgone revenue in 2024. The carbon charge for consumers of petrol and road diesel both increased by 22 percent in 2024 to €274 and €207 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted, respectively. 1500 GWh identified as provisionally successful by RESS 5 [BH1]  The provisional results of the fifth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 5) auction have been announced, provisionally securing 1500 GWh which will power 357,000 homes. The announcement by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment points to solar PV’s “pivotal role in Ireland’s clean energy transition”, reinforcing its role as Ireland’s fastest growing renewable electricity source. It goes on to describe solar as “highly complementary to wind generation”, meaning this rapid growth of solar strengthens Ireland’s ability to generate clean electricity all year round, enhancing our security of supply and helping to stabilise electricity prices. Its role in delivering Irish energy independence and in providing long-term security of clean renewable electricity for Irish households was described as “Ireland’s energy insurance policy”, reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels, and consequent vulnerability to international energy markets. This is the fifth auction to occur between 2020 and 2025.    NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Minister Andrew Muir reiterates crucial link between economic growth and environmental sustainability Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has reiterated the crucial link between economic growth and environmental sustainability last week. Speaking at the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water Annual Symposium at Queen’s University Belfast, Minister Muir said “To ensure our economy grows sustainably, we need a healthy environment. We do not have a choice; we must address these interconnected challenges”. Minister Muir also emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration, commenting “Our climate and environmental challenges do not respect borders, and neither can our solutions - this is why the Co-Centre approach, looking at climate challenges on a North-South, East-West basis, is so vital.” This Co-Centre, co-funded by DAERA along with Research Ireland and the UK Research Institutes, addresses the three connected issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and declining water quality in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain. Final Scheme Design for renewable electricity price guarantee published Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has published the Final Scheme Design for a renewable electricity support scheme for Northern Ireland. The Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) aims to incentivise renewable electricity generation and position Northern Ireland as a competitive and attractive destination for investment. The scheme aims to deliver lower energy prices and help achieve the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 target of 80 percent renewable electricity consumption by 2030. The Department for the Economy will consult on the REPG Terms and Conditions later this year, providing stakeholders with a key opportunity to input into the contractual aspects of the scheme. The first auction is anticipated in early 2027. Department of Finance issues guidance on environmental and climate impacts in programme project development The Department of Finance has published guidance and related documents to help appraisers meet their responsibility to consider appropriately environmental and climate impacts in the development of all programme and project business cases. Documents include: ‘Incorporating Environmental and Climate Considerations into Business Cases’ a ‘DoF Emissions Calculator Worked Example’ of a PV (solar panel) installation project, and templates for ‘Options Frameworks, with Green Solution’. The announcement mentions a remaining need to consider other impacts formerly under the umbrella of “sustainable development”, such as equality, health, social inclusion and rural, as well as economic impacts in business cases. As this continues to be a rapidly evolving and wide-ranging area, the Department is advising users to regularly refer back to the DoF website for the latest version of these documents.   EUROPE EU green lights Waste Framework Directive The EU Parliament has given the final green light to the revised ‘Waste Framework Directive’ which will introduce new measures to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU. The updated legislation will introduce binding food waste reduction targets, to be met at national level by 31 December 2030. Producers that make textiles available in the EU will have to cover the costs of their collection, sorting and recycling, through new producer responsibility (EPR) schemes to be set up by each member state, within 30 months of the Directive’s entry into force. The law will now be signed by both co-legislators, ahead of its publication in the EU Official Journal. EU countries will have 20 months following its entry into force to transpose the rules into national legislation. WORLD “A clean energy transition is happening, and it is here to stay” This was the message of a joint letter, signed by nearly 20 world leaders this week as country representatives gathered in New York at the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting.  The letter, “All hands on deck for the just and equitable energy transition” called on leaders and the private sector to unite in action to unlock a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for all and was signed by leaders including Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency and others. The letter pointed to the acceleration of the global energy transition, with $2 trillion invested in clean energy in 2024—double that of fossil fuels. It referenced the persistent disparities persist between the developed and developing economies, which the newly launched Global Energy Transitions Forum aims to address these gaps by unlocking financing, scaling renewables, and supporting local initiatives. Resources from Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability-focused specialist qualifications Chartered Accountants Ireland has launched its Autumn/Winter professional development programme offering, which includes the Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting (Starting 7 October).   Technical updates from Professional Accounting (From Technical Roundup 19 September):   IAASA has released a Thematic Desktop Examination on Sustainability-linked financing. The thematic examination looked at the annual reports of 17 equity issuers listed on the main market of Euronext Dublin.   As the public consultation on the ESRS enters its final few days, EFRAG has prepared some informative videos and a factsheet on the proposed simplifications to the standards. The consultation remains open until 29 September.   EFRAG are hosting a hybrid event on 6 October on the VSME standard entitled “The VSME Standard in Action: From the European Commission’s Recommendation to Digital Solutions.”   Accountancy Europe has updated its CSRD Transposition Overview which monitors the CSRD transposition status across the EEA countries.   The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) will be hosting episode 12 of their “Perspectives on sustainability disclosure” webinar series on 6th October.   Accountancy Europe has published its September 2025 Sustainability Update.   Resources A report in the Energy Research & Social Science journal has published offering a reimagining of government-supported initiatives to support SMEs to embed decarbonisation activity within everyday practices, in order to create enduring, meaningful progress towards net-zero. Articles Gender Pay Gap reporting tightens in 2025 (Accountancy Ireland – Briefly) CSR: good for business and the community (Accountancy Ireland – Briefly) Non-financial reporting: how to consolidate or aggregate data (ICAEW – Insights) These 10 nature finance models could help deliver returns and impact – here’s how ( World Economic Forum) Failure to close climate action gap could cost us €26bn – imagine what that might achieve (Irish Times) Irish Government to ratify landmark UN high seas treaty - Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s first peatland strategy launched in ‘turning point’ for peatland conservation (Irish Times) Events Dublin Chamber, Sustainability Academy Workshops This autumn, for the first time, all Sustainability Academy workshops will take place in person at Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Dublin Chamber is offering a special rate of €420 for those who register for the full series of five workshops (normally €495). This includes a free one-hour tailored advisory consultation with a sustainability expert from Goodbody Clearstream. Whether you're new to sustainability or looking to build on existing knowledge, this series provides a structured way to learn what matters and apply it in your role. Venue: Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Western Society SDG week Brigit's Garden tour Sustainable Development Goals Week Ireland 2025 will unite communities and businesses in a nationwide effort to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. We will mark the week with an interactive and engaging tour of Brigit's Garden finishing with a Brigit’s cross making demonstration and of course a coffee. Brigit‘s Garden is regarded as one of the most picturesque gardens of Ireland, set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds with many features to explore and delight in. In person, Saturday 27 September 2025 | 11:00am | Brigit's Garden, Roscahill, H91 CC90 Climate Cocktail Club, Climate Carnival Blending business, innovation, finance, music, activism and science for bold brave leadership, this pioneering two-day event for changemakers aims to inspire, entertain and explore radical and creative solutions to drive planetary impact now. In person, 29 – 30 September | Ballintubbert House, Ballintubbert House, Stradbally, Co. Laois, R14 E954. International Society of Sustainability Professionals Webinar: Driving Sustainable Change: Integrating Change Management for Positive Outcomes This webinar will delve into the critical role of change management in advancing sustainability initiatives. Participants will explore how effective change management strategies can lead to more impactful and lasting positive outcomes for both people and the planet. Through practical insights and real-world examples, this session aims to equip sustainability professionals with new knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change at multiple scales. Virtual, Tuesday, 30 September, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) Trinity Business School, Signs of a Healthy Economy: Redefining Economic Value In this lunchtime seminar, Mieke Siebers, Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Development, explores the role of our economic systems and how we can rethink economic value in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. From scientific standards on ecosystem services to natural capital accounting, she will show how business and management can help build resilient, mission-driven economies fit for the 21st century. In person (Trinity Business School) and virtual (Zoom), 30 September, 1-2pm EFRAG, The VSME Standard in Action: From the European Commission’s Recommendation to Digital Solutions EFRAG is running a hybrid VSME Outreach Event on 6 October 2025 at which the European Commission will present on its Recommendation, with reactions from policymakers, banks and SMEs. Attendees will discover the EFRAG VSME Ecosystem and digital tools and learn from practical SME experiences and case studies. Virtual and in person, 6 October 2025, 10am-1pm CET   French Embassy, DCU Institute for Climate and Society,  The legacy of the Paris Agreement A discussion on the legacy of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which was signed 10 years ago. Speakers include Benoît Faraco, France's climate ambassador, and Eamon Ryan, former Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. The event is free and open to the public. Places are limited, so please register. In person, October 8, 16:00-18:00, Europe House, Chatham Street, Dublin 2. Diversity Mark, Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2025 This event will explore how diversity and inclusion can drive sustainable business growth, gathering over 300 business leaders, executives, and inclusion advocates for a full-day programme featuring keynote speakers and breakout sessions. It aims to equip attendees with practical strategies to create more inclusive workplaces and foster meaningful change across sectors. In person, 8 October 2025, Titanic Belfast Accountancy Europe, Is the public sector sustainable? Find out about the latest developments to promote sustainability reporting alongside financial reporting in the public sector, the specific challenges facing the public sector, what can be learnt from experience in the private sector. Virtual, 8 October 2025, 14:30–16:00 CEST   Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.   

The implementation of the new Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings Scheme is now only three months away. My Future Fund will affect 800,000 members of the workforce and every employer in Ireland, but our research has indicated that preparedness among businesses remains worrying low; only 2 in 5 (40%) respondents felt that they had been adequately informed of the steps needed to implement it in time for its January launch.    A new public body, the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA), will administer the auto-enrolment scheme, and we were pleased to note that the NAERSA Board, appointed earlier this month, includes two Chartered Accountants Ireland members.   Equipping businesses with the necessary information in the coming weeks is going to be crucial to making auto enrolment a success. Chartered Accountants Ireland will hold a free in-person lunchtime event on auto-enrolment on Thursday 16 October at Chartered Accountants House.   The first in our “Trusted Business Leadership: The Chartered Roundtables”, series, this event will feature perspectives from Shane O’Farrell, Director of Workplace Markets, Irish Life Employer Solutions, Tony Culhane, Solution Design Lead, Sage, and Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy, Chartered Accountants Ireland.   The Institute also believes that there is an ongoing need for government to bridge this information deficit and equip businesses with the support and guidance they need as we approach January.   

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin read about sustainability in the Irish Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity. Also covered are recommendations from the Climate Change Advisory Council on solar PV, a new report on the Voluntary Nature Market in Ireland, the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme in Northern Ireland, Spain’s State pact to tackle the climate emergency – including by mandating ESG reporting – and the landmark partnership between the ISO and GHG Protocol to co-develop new standards for GHG emissions accounting and reporting, along with the usual articles, resources and upcoming events.   IRELAND Sustainability in the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has this week published an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, with 85 actions for enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity performance. Among the six themes into which these actions are grouped is “growing sustainable Irish businesses and boosting regional development”.  Read more about sustainability in the Action Plan. Climate Change Advisory Council calls for accelerated roll out of solar PV The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) in its recently published Annual Review 2025 has called for an accelerated rollout of solar PV for commercial and public buildings to help manage energy costs. With increasing challenges around global competitiveness, the Council warns that although industrial emissions reduced by 4.6 percent in 2024 – mainly due to a decline in cement volumes – Ireland has not yet broken the link between production levels and emissions in the industrial sector. The Council also warns that the volume of waste generated remains too high with Ireland’s circularity rate of 2.3 percent falling well below the EU average of 11.8 percent. Voluntary nature market could unlock private finance for Irish ecosystems, report finds A Voluntary Nature Market featuring nature ‘credits’ has the potential to close the multi-billion-euro nature funding gap in Ireland, according to a new report published last week by Trinity College Dublin and BiOrbic Research Ireland Centre for Bioeconomy.  The report, ‘The Voluntary Nature Market in Ireland: State of Play, September 2025’, maps out the key challenges and opportunities in Ireland’s Voluntary Nature Market and calls for the development of a high-integrity, transparent, and durable market. Commenting, the report’s lead author Orlaith Delargy said: “The EU estimates a shortfall of €37 billion per year between current spending and what’s needed to meet our nature goals. To address this gap, new ways of financing action on the ground are needed … A Voluntary Nature Market, similar to the Voluntary Carbon Market, could channel private investment to local projects that restore ecosystems and support communities.”   NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Small businesses urged to register for Extended Producer Responsibility scheme For the first time companies in Northern Ireland with an annual turnover of more than £1million and responsibility for over 25 tonnes of packaging each year need to record and report their packaging data under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, a UK-wide reform of an existing Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging. Among its core aims are increasing recycling rates of packaging, reducing waste and non-recyclable material being placed on the market and shifting the costs of managing household and street-binned packaging waste to producers of packaging. The new EPR scheme also marks significant changes for larger organisations in Northern Ireland which are now obliged to report recorded data every six months and will for the first time be liable for the full cost of managing packaging waste including costs associated with the collection, sorting, and treatment of household waste. Renewable electricity consumption – Northern Ireland   A total of 43.1 percent of total electricity consumed between June 2024 and June 2025 was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents a decrease of 2.8 percentage points on the previous 12-month period (year ending June 2024). The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending June 2025’, which published this week, details the percentage of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland generated from renewable sources and includes information on the type of renewable generation. Of all renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland over the 12-month period 81.7 percent was generated from wind down from 82.3 percent the previous year. EUROPE Spain mandates ESG reporting The Government of Spain has presented its proposal for a State Pact to tackle the climate emergency, in which it reportedly plans to make carbon reporting mandatory. Royal Decree 214/2025, establishing new national carbon reporting framework, represents Spain's most ambitious corporate carbon reporting mandate to date, locally implementing key elements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The regulation is to take immediately effect, with first reports due in the 2026 for 2025 emissions data. EU Parliament adopts simplifications to the EU carbon leakage instrument The EU Parliament has given its final green light to changes to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The changes, which are part of the Omnibus I simplification package presented on 26 February 2025, are part of simplification efforts to reduce the administrative burden for SMEs and occasional importers. A new threshold will exempt 90 percent of importers from the EU CBAM rules and procedures for imports covered by CBAM rules will also be simplified. The statement claims that climate ambition maintained as 99 percent of CO2 emissions from iron, steel, aluminium and cement imports will still be covered. WORLD ISO and GHG Protocol announce strategic partnership for emissions accounting The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) have announced a landmark partnership to harmonize their existing portfolios of greenhouse gas (GHG) standards and to co-develop new standards for GHG emissions accounting and reporting. The partnership will produce a common global language for emissions accounting, which will accelerate progress towards decarbonisation. The partnership represents a fundamental shift toward integration and co-development, enabling users to rely on a coherent framework and reducing potential confusion in the market. More information about ISO is available at www.iso.org. More information about GHG Protocol is available at www.ghgprotocol.org. Resources from Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability-focused specialist qualifications Chartered Accountants Ireland has launched its Autumn/Winter programme offering, which includes the Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting (Starting 7 October). Technical updates The latest edition of the Technical Roundup 5 September from our Professional Accounting team contains updates from 1 July 2025, including a lengthy section on sustainability reporting, sustainability assurance, and sustainable finance. Resources The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board is hosting a three-part global webinar series designed to assist sustainability assurance practitioners, firms, jurisdictional standard setters, and professional organizations as they adopt, implement, or apply International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ISSA 5000) Regulators, oversight bodies, and other stakeholders (e.g., preparers, those charged with governance or users of sustainability reporting) may also find these webinars helpful. The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is offering up to six grants of $2,000 USD for research related to topics that can help IPSASB with its current and future projects including sustainability reporting. Interested parties should submit abstracts related to selected topics by September 15, 2025. Final selected papers will be due May 16, 2026 and papers will be presented at the 2026 Research Forum in partnership with the Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research (CIGAR) Network. Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) has issued a guide offering four peer-tested practical actions for pension fund chairs and trustees to get started on addressing nature risks. The insights are based on input from pension fund participants during an A4S pension deep dive session. We recommend reading this in conjunction with A4S’s Nature top tips for pension fund chairs and trustees. Articles What do shifting sustainability regulations mean for business? (EY) Resistance to regulatory rollback on nature laws (Business for Biodiversity Ireland) Events Chartered Accountants Ireland, Engage with EFRAG on the Revised ESRS consultation (ROI/NI) Are you ready to shape the future of ESG disclosures? Join Chartered Accountants Ireland for a virtual outreach event featuring EFRAG, as they dive into the Revised ESRS Exposure Drafts—with a special focus on preparers. 1 hour CPD. Virtual, 23 September, 11:30–13:30 Antaris Consulting in collaboration with The ESG Circle, Embedding Sustainability: From Global Agreements to Organisational Culture Fireside chat  with Dr. Matt Kennedy, tracing the journey from global climate diplomacy to boardroom decisions. Will discuss what embeds sustainability in organisational culture - governance moves, metrics that matter and the capabilities middle managers need; plus how to navigate the ESG backlash by speaking the language of resilience and risk. Matt Kennedy is Head of Client Transformation in IDA Ireland where he leads transformation initiatives with international business, including a portfolio of R&D, digital, sustainability and talent development offerings, and, among other things, was Lead Negotiator for the European Union at the UN Paris Agreement (COP21) negotiations. Virtual, Wednesday, September 24, 4.00-5.30 Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), The Northern Ireland Energy Summit Bringing together leaders from across the energy, infrastructure, business and policy landscape, the all-day conference will shine a light on how energy can help supercharge economic growth in Northern Ireland as we strive to meet ambitious climate targets. Key themes throughout the day will include connectivity and security of supply, alongside exploring the crucial role of communities in energy clusters and examining Northern Ireland’s unique agricultural proposition as an important enabler in the energy transition. In person, 8:30-16:30 Wednesday 24 September, International Convention Centre (ICC) Belfast. Dublin Chamber, Sustainability Academy Workshops This autumn, for the first time, all Sustainability Academy workshops will take place in person at Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Dublin Chamber is offering a special rate of €420 for those who register for the full series of five workshops (normally €495). This includes a free one-hour tailored advisory consultation with a sustainability expert from Goodbody Clearstream. Whether you're new to sustainability or looking to build on existing knowledge, this series provides a structured way to learn what matters and apply it in your role. Venue: Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Western Society SDG week Brigit's Garden tour Sustainable Development Goals Week Ireland 2025 will unite communities and businesses in a nationwide effort to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. We will mark the week with an interactive and engaging tour of Brigit's Garden finishing with a Brigit’s cross making demonstration and of course a coffee. Brigit‘s Garden is regarded as one of the most picturesque gardens of Ireland, set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds with many features to explore and delight in. In person, Saturday 27 September 2025 | 11:00am | Brigit's Garden, Roscahill, H91 CC90 Climate Cocktail Club, Climate Carnival Blending business, innovation, finance, music, activism and science for bold brave leadership, this pioneering two-day event for changemakers aims to inspire, entertain and explore radical and creative solutions to drive planetary impact now. In person, 29 – 30 September | Ballintubbert House, Ballintubbert House, Stradbally, Co. Laois, R14 E954. International Society of Sustainability Professionals Webinar: Driving Sustainable Change: Integrating Change Management for Positive Outcomes This webinar will delve into the critical role of change management in advancing sustainability initiatives. Participants will explore how effective change management strategies can lead to more impactful and lasting positive outcomes for both people and the planet. Through practical insights and real-world examples, this session aims to equip sustainability professionals with new knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change at multiple scales. Virtual, Tuesday, 30 September, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) Diversity Mark, Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2025 This event will explore how diversity and inclusion can drive sustainable business growth, gathering over 300 business leaders, executives, and inclusion advocates for a full-day programme featuring keynote speakers and breakout sessions. It aims to equip attendees with practical strategies to create more inclusive workplaces and foster meaningful change across sectors. In person, 8 October 2025, Titanic Belfast Accountancy Europe, Is the public sector sustainable? Find out about the latest developments to promote sustainability reporting alongside financial reporting in the public sector, the specific challenges facing the public sector, what can be learnt from experience in the private sector. Virtual, 8 October 2025, 14:30–16:00 CEST FTI Consulting, Women in Sustainability FTI Consulting is hosting its next women in sustainability networking event on 16 October. It's an evening get together for women in the sustainability space to connect and share insights. In person, 16 October, The Shelbourne Hotel An Taisce, Climate Action Week, 13 – 19 October 2025 Climate Action Week is Ireland’s largest pop-up climate festival and has been coordinated by An Taisce since 2017. On behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment the 9th festival will bring nationwide spaces that champion local planet protectors and welcome solution seekers to events that tackle the climate crisis in exciting and empowering ways. International Society of Sustainability Professionals Webinar: AI in Action: Practical Tools for Corporate Sustainability Impact Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations collect data, measure impact, and drive sustainability performance—but it can be difficult to separate the hype from the real-world applications. In this session, we’ll explore how corporate sustainability professionals can leverage AI to work smarter, not harder. Virtual, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) Ibec Networks Autumn Seminar Series, Session 4: The culture of sustainability innovation The final webinar in a four-part series Autumn Seminar Series ‘The culture equation’ looks at what supports are available to assist on a journey to becoming a more sustainable business. In the supporting case study from O'Brien's Fine Foods the webinar will discuss what drives a sustainability focused culture in an organisation. Virtual, Thursday 13 November, 11.00-11.50am Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.

  The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has this week published an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, with 85 actions for enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity performance. Among the six themes into which these actions are grouped is “growing sustainable Irish businesses and boosting regional development”, under which are outlined the actions intended to support the development of a sustainable, resilient enterprise environment. The Action Plan is clear that decarbonisation and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, stating that “Our businesses, customers, workers, and the communities in which they are embedded, rightly expect that new industrial developments and successful Irish enterprises can and will operate in a manner consistent with the national objective of net zero emissions by 2050, and an ambitious trajectory of decarbonisation to that target.” As the broader trend toward sustainability expectations of companies is set to accelerate, it is encouraging to see the focus in the Action Plan on the alignment of sustainable Irish businesses with enterprise growth. Commenting, Susan Rossney, Institute Sustainability Advocacy Manager, said "Long term, organisations will only increase the alignment of their operations with global sustainability objectives. The Plan’s assertion that decarbonisation is not just an environmental imperative but a source of economic resilience, cost savings, and competitive advantage for industry and SMEs is one for which Chartered Accountants Ireland has advocated, and which we welcome in this Plan." Similarly, Chartered Accountants Ireland in its position paper Achieving Our Climate Goalshas called for the Government to support SMEs to embed sustainability in their operations; therefore, we welcome the Action Plan’s emphasis on the importance of independent advice and financial supports for SMEs in order to become more competitive and resilient through decarbonisation, while ensuring that the economic and commercial incentives for all businesses drive decarbonisation and the renewable energy revolution, with resilient employment and indigenous value creation over the medium term. We will continue to monitor the delivery of the elements in the implementation framework of the Plan, and to advocate for the clarity businesses and communities require to see plan translate to action.   

Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members & Advocacy commented:  “Today’s Action Plan places a welcome emphasis on controlling what we can in a volatile global environment. It is encouraging to see the announcement of a ‘Red Tape Challenge’ to reduce regulation for SMEs. Combined with the existing SME Test, we hope to see reduced cost and regulatory burdens so businesses can spend more time innovating and creating jobs. Our research reinforces this urgency; 57% of SMEs surveyed by us this year identified regulatory compliance burdens as a key area in need of government support.  “The policy focus on examining options to boost the competitiveness of the R&D Tax Credit is crucial for ensuring that Ireland remains a top destination for innovation, attracting both domestic and international companies. The R&D tax credit regime critically requires enhancements for greater uptake and access for SMEs and we have called for these in the CCAB-I Pre-Budget Submission.   “The announcement of a National Artificial Intelligence Office reflects our longstanding view that AI is a powerful opportunity to reduce administrative burdens, enhance data driven decision making and bolster competitiveness. The NAIO will hopefully be a much-needed forum to shape the future landscape for business in Ireland. “While the direction of the Action Plan is welcome, as is a whole-of-Government commitment, delivery will be critical. The implementation framework with its broad timelines is a useful element of the plan, however businesses also need to see accountability and transparent implementation so that these policy objectives translate into progress on the ground.”