In this week’s bulletin read about the Institute’s shortlisting for an ESG award, the importance of strong capital markets for the green transition, warnings from the Climate Change Advisory Council, and CSO new data on enterprise sustainability. Updates from Northern Ireland include the publication of its latest Climate Change Adaptation Programme and the extension of the public consultation on Draft Nature Recovery Strategy. The UK’s new energy security measures are covered, along with the greenlighting of negotiations on UK participation in the EU’s internal energy market. This plus the usual articles, resources and upcoming events. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IRELAND Institute shortlisted for ESG award Chartered Accountants Ireland has been shortlisted for the ESG Company Award (SMEs) in the Business & Finance Media Group ESG Awards 2026, in partnership with Grant Thornton Ireland. Congratulations to all our fellow nominees across over 15 categories and we look forward to the Awards on 16 April! IRELAND Strong capital markets needed for green transition The Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Gabriel Mahklouf, has described strong capital markets as necessary to fund innovation, infrastructure, and the digital and green transition. Speaking at the first Annual Savings and Investment Forum Governor Mahklouf went on to say that only a fraction of EU household wealth is currently held directly in capital markets instruments. The forum, which was convened this week by Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, brought together stakeholders, including Chartered Accountants Ireland, from across the financial services sector, consumer representatives, and policymakers to support the continued evolution of Ireland’s savings and investment landscape. It aims to focus on advancing a framework for a Personal Investment Account in Ireland, and to support greater retail participation in capital markets, enhance long term financial resilience and provide individuals with improved opportunities to grow their savings. Moving away from fossil fuels "key to reducing impact of future crises" Moving away from fossil fuels is key to reducing the impact of the current crisis and future crises, according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD. The Taoiseach was commenting in a  recent Government announcement of temporary and targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses in order to shield them from the recent hikes in fuel prices. The measures provide for temporary reductions in the rates of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) applying to petrol, auto diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO), and are in effect from 25 March to 31 May 2026. Read more. Climate change causing significant damage in Ireland, new Council report finds The Climate Change Advisory Council’s latest report: Annual Review 2026 - Our Changing Climate in 2025, finds that climate change is having measurable impacts in Ireland, with growing risks for communities, infrastructure, essential services and the economy. Read more here. CSO’s findings on enterprise economy statistics through sustainability lens Research published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has found that almost a third of Irish enterprises used ICT in 2025 to reduce their environmental impact, slightly ahead of the EU average. It also found that investing in technological innovation can support enterprise resilience, efficiency and competitiveness as well as environmental sustainability within enterprises, allowing enterprises to use fewer resources while producing the same or greater output. Read more here. Research finds no evidence linking minimum wage increase to low-paid worker job-loss Recent increases to the minimum wage in Ireland did not lead to low-paid workers losing their jobs, according to research published by the ESRI. A key concern for minimum wage policy – which saw Ireland’s minimum wage in Ireland increase every year from 2016 to 2025 – is whether raising the minimum wage would cause low paid workers to lose their jobs if employers reduced their workforce due to higher labour costs. The ESRI study found no evidence that recent minimum wage increases in Ireland increased the likelihood of minimum wage employees losing their jobs in the six-month period following a minimum wage. The research also addressed concerns that employees under 20 years (who can be paid less than the full adult minimum wage) would lose their jobs once they ‘aged into’ a higher minimum wage band. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Northern Ireland’s third Climate Change Adaptation Programme published Northern Ireland’s third Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme (‘NICCAP3’) has been launched by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. The adaptation action plan brings together actions from across government and a range of key stakeholders in response to the latest UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA), setting out over 280 actions to help all sectors of society to adapt to and building the region’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. Commenting Dr Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director at Business in the Community NI, stressed the importance of climate adaptation for the economy. Referring to the 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey report which showed that 67 percent of respondents from businesses had experienced direct or indirect impacts from climate change in the past five years, Dr McIlvenna commented: “The impacts of climate change on businesses are escalating, disrupting productivity and supply chains, damaging premises and infrastructure, increasing insurance costs, and posing physical health risks to employees through severe weather and flooding. Many businesses across Northern Ireland are already experiencing the damaging effects of these events, and climate projections suggest the risks will only increase. Building resilience to climate change now is critical to protecting our business sector and the wider economy.” Extension of public consultation on Draft Nature Recovery Strategy Northern Ireland’s DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has extended the public consultation for the draft Nature Recovery Strategy by four weeks to 15 April 2026. The draft Nature Recovery Strategy contains five strategic objectives and clear actions to help deliver transformation across government, business and society to safeguard and restore nature and biodiversity. Identifying the loss of nature and ecosystems as having economic implications globally and locally, the Strategy cites the landmark Dasgupta Review of the Economics of Biodiversity (2021) which asserted that nature is a blind spot in economics, and called for nature to be treated as an asset to be valued, protected, and restored. UK Government announces energy security measures UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has set out an accelerated package of energy interventions to boost the UK’s energy security. Measures include easy-to-use ‘plug-in solar’, low-cost solar panels to be made available for the first time at supermarkets for placing on balconies or outdoor space. The government is also working with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to ensure that fuel suppliers cannot engage in unfair practices towards consumers such as price gouging, and is consulting on new powers to clamp down on speculative electricity grid connection applications.  The measures aim to support the government’s “clean energy superpower mission” and maintain energy security by tackling backlogs in the queue, while unblocking projects that are vital to innovation, economic growth and decarbonisation. EUROPE Negotiations for UK’s participation in EU’s internal energy market gets green light The European Council has formally authorised the European Commission to open negotiations with the UK on two agreements regarding the UK’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market and on an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy. The aim of the electricity agreement is to allow the UK’s participation in both the wholesale and retail EU internal electricity market. It envisages alignment of UK laws to EU rules to create a level playing field between the parties, “significantly contributing to energy securityfor both parties, especially amid the current geopolitical turmoil”.  It aims to improve the efficiency of the electricity trading between the parties, and facilitate investments in electricity infrastructure, including renewable electricity generation that is necessary to achieve both sides’ net zero ambitions. The agreement on the UK’s financial contributionis part of a consistent EU policy that couples the granting of market access to a third country with a fair financial contribution reflecting the benefits derived from such access. RESOURCES Technical Roundup (from our colleagues in Professional Accounting) The European Commission (EC) has published draft Commission Delegated Regulations (draft delegated acts) proposing amendments to the EU Taxonomy climate and environmental delegated acts. The comment period ends on 14 April 2026. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) new webcast Climate resilience and climate-related scenario analysis requirements in IFRS S2 discusses some of the requirements of the S2 standard and how companies might meet their reporting requirements in relation to climate resilience and the use of climate-related scenario analysis. This factsheet also provides an overview of the webcast. As the number of companies preparing their Sustainability Report using the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs (VSME) increases, EFRAG is asking preparers to contribute to the development of the standard by completing a survey and submitting their report. The feedback received from this initiative will be used to develop their VSME Ecosystem. EFRAG has launched its new interactive version of their Technical Advice on the Draft Simplified ESRS on their Knowledge Hub. This allows users to explore the advice and understand how the proposed simplifications connect to the 2023 version of the ESRS. Accountancy Europe – Sustainability Update The March issue of Accountancy Europe’s Sustainability Update this month includes the following highlights: EC proposes changes to EU Taxonomy Environmental and Climate Delegated Acts EC calls for technical advice on Taxonomy Disclosures delegated act Omnibus Directive amending sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements enters into force Council adopts amended Climate Law CEAOB comments on revised ESRS UN Global Compact resources EU Sustainability Navigator: On-Demand Recording Now Available: recording, presentation slides, and answers to key questions from the session 'From Regulation to Results: Navigating EU Omnibus I to Drive Ambition and Impact' are now available on the UN Global Compact Academy platform. EU Corporate Sustainability Regulation: Overview & Reference Guide: comprehensive reference guide covering key EU sustainability regulations and recent developments — a useful resource for companies mapping their obligations under CSRD, CSDDD, and related legislation. New e-Learning Modules: Science-Based Targets: five new and enhanced e-learning modules from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guide companies through every step of target setting and validation — from an introduction to science-based targets, through to specialist modules for SMEs and the Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) sector. Available on the UN Global Compact Academy. Business & Human Rights Navigator: Digital & Emerging Technologies: a new issue page on Digital and Emerging Technologies and Human Rights for companies seeking to understand and manage human rights risks in the digital space. Procurement as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth: 40 practical tools and frameworks, global case studies, and company insights to help organisations embed sustainability across the procurement lifecycle — including how collaboration between buyers and suppliers, particularly SMEs, drives results.  ARTICLES IPSASB SRS 1, Climate-related Disclosures Marks a Milestone in Advancing Climate Finance and Public Sector Transparency (IPSASB) Clarifying and consolidating EU Taxonomy FAQs (Accountancy Europe) Europe’s Green Power Revolution Softens Iran Energy Price Shock (Bloomberg) Ireland must prepare ‘evacuation’ plans for coastal areas as climate change intensifies, says expert (Irish Times) EVENTS 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, 17 April 2026 | Half‑day workshop • Friday, 8 May 2026 | Half‑day workshop IBEC, Briefing: Voluntary Sustainability Reporting for SMEs - VSME At this briefing Lorraine McCann, Managing Director, Sustainability Reporting Lead, KPMG will provide an overview of the voluntary sustainability reporting standard (VSME), the key reporting requirements and how it can assist SMEs in responding to requests for information from companies in their value chain. The briefing is for any SME business that wishes to become more informed on the voluntary sustainability reporting standard (VSME) and the potential benefit to their business, as well as senior leaders, owners, compliance managers, risk managers, sustainability managers, environmental and EHS professionals, accountants, operations managers, employees with sustainability reporting as part of their role Virtual |Monday 27 April | 3.00pm – 3.45pm |  Free, booking required UN Global Compact, Climate Ambition Accelerator — 2026 Applications Now Open The UN Global Compact's Climate Ambition Accelerator is now accepting applications for 2026. This six-month programme equips companies with the knowledge and tools to accelerate progress toward setting science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway — putting them on track for net-zero by 2050. Application Deadline: 30 April 2026  |  Programme: May–November 2026 Climate Cocktail Club, The Climate Heist Hacking the system to save nature... and ourselves. Exploring the tools, levers, products and more of the modern interconnected world to drive radical and urgent action on climate and nature - through entrepreneurship and innovation. A special event partnering with Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). 14 April, The Sugar Club, Dublin 2 UN Global Compact Network Canada, Annual Sustainability Reporting Peer Review Group (ASPiRe) — Now Open for Registration This structured peer review programme offers an exceptional opportunity for sustainability and communications teams to strengthen the quality and credibility of their sustainability disclosures — including Communications on Progress (CoPs). Registration Deadline: 5 June 2026 | Programme: July–October 2026 Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre. 

Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “The Forum is an opportunity to advance the recommendations of the Funds 2030 report and to simplify and enhance the tax framework for retail investment, now expected as part of Budget 2026. Together with the anticipated focus on Savings and Investment Union as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency this year, this emphasis on activating hard-earned savings is timely and hugely welcome.  “The Minister’s announcement that the proposed Investment Accounts are being developed with a simplified approach to tax is a positive development. A model based on a low, easily administered annual charge has the potential to reduce complexity and improve accessibility for retail investors.” Grant Sweetnam, Head of Public Policy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “We welcome the strong emphasis placed on financial literacy by the Minister at today’s Forum. Improving understanding and confidence among individuals will be critical to increasing participation in capital markets over the long term. However, it is essential that these reforms are delivered as part of a coherent overall strategy to address fundamental barriers to investment. Addressing wider barriers, including the deemed disposal rule and inconsistencies in tax treatment across products, will be critical to ensuring the full benefits are realised.  “We look forward to engaging constructively with Government and stakeholders at the Savings and Investment Forum and throughout the implementation process to help ensure the roadmap delivers a simple, effective and competitive investment framework for Ireland.”

The European Commission has welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and the Council to a reform of the EU Customs Union. The reform will establish a new single EU customs data hub which will digitalise and simplify procedures while tightening controls on non-compliant, dangerous or unsafe goods. Overall, the new system should allow for more robust controls without an excessive burden for authorities and traders.

This week Chartered Accountants Ireland represented members in attending the Cost of Business Advisory Forum run by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. The meeting follows the Institute’s submission recently where the focus was on banking, payments and financial services.  We outlined how banking services in Ireland, particularly on the payments side, is behind what is available as standard in other countries.  Competition is essential in moving the dial in terms of banking services and reducing costs for SMEs. We urged both the Central Bank and the Government to recognise that the lack of competition in the banking sector is a drag on the economy and needs to be acted on.    The Institute highlighted the need for the banking sector to move quicker to Account to Account (A2A) payment services.   A2A is an instant payment mechanism which does not need an intermediary card. A2A payments benefit businesses by reducing transaction costs, speeding up settlement and improving reconciliation through real-time data and automation.   At the moment payers end up using credit or debit cards to pay SMEs online and it is the SME that incurs the significant costs of availing of those services. In addition, it is very challenging for SMEs to track who is paying money into their account. This adds to administration cost for SMEs.  In terms of access to finance for SMEs, the Institute highlighted the need for Ireland to deepen the capital markets and improve retail investment in Ireland. We urged the Government to introduce a Savings and Investment Account in Ireland which will encourage workers and households to invest in SMEs.  Following this meeting, the Institute will continue to contribute to the Cost of Business Advisory Forum with the aim of completing a comprehensive report on business costs with important and achievable recommendations for Government. 

The Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society has called for a reduction in Corporation Tax as part of a wider, credible industrial strategy to drive investment, job creation and long-term economic growth in Northern Ireland. Speaking at the Ulster Society’s Annual Dinner, attended by almost 500 business leaders, policymakers and professionals, Chairman Mark Lawther highlighted the findings of the Society’s latest member survey, which points to ongoing economic uncertainty and the need for decisive policy action. “The global outlook remains unpredictable, and that uncertainty is clearly reflected at a local level,” said Mark Lawther. “Confidence in Northern Ireland’s prospects has dipped slightly, with fewer than 6% of our members currently describing the outlook as ‘good’. That underlines the scale of the challenge—and the urgency of the response required.” Ulster’s Chartered Accountants also voice significant concern around public finances, with 94% of members citing public sector funding pressures as having a negative impact on the local economy. “Public sector reform is seen by our members as the single most important priority,” he said. “Alongside that, there is a clear message that we are not yet making the most of Northern Ireland’s unique post-EU trading position, despite the real potential that exists.” Mark Lawther emphasised that Northern Ireland has strong economic fundamentals, including dual market access to Great Britain and the EU, a competitive cost base, and growing political stability. “After a period when certainty felt like a rare commodity, it is encouraging that we can now talk about stability not as an aspiration, but as a foundation,” he said. “That gives us a real opportunity to build momentum and create an environment where Northern Ireland—and its people—can genuinely thrive.” However, he stressed that unlocking this potential will require bold and coordinated action. “A reduction in Corporation Tax, as part of the right policy mix, could be genuinely transformational,” he said. “It would allow us to leverage our unique market position, attract global investment, support local businesses, and create high-value jobs.” “In recent months, we have engaged with all five of Northern Ireland’s main political parties on this issue. As people who live and work here, and who care deeply about its future, we believe that a competitive Corporation Tax rate could be a game changer for our economy.” Reflecting on the role of the profession, Mark Lawther highlighted the contribution Chartered Accountants make across the economy. “Chartered Accountants are at the heart of business and public service, supporting organisations to adapt, grow and innovate,” he said. “We don’t just witness change—we help make it happen. Every day, our members are working alongside businesses that are evolving and expanding, helping to build a more competitive and resilient Northern Ireland.” He also welcomed the attendance of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, noting the importance of political leadership and engagement with the business community. “Business thrives best in an environment of certainty, collaboration and ambition,” he said. “We very much value the leadership shown in restoring stable government and in setting a constructive tone for the work of the Executive.” The Annual Dinner, sponsored by Danske Bank and MCS Group, celebrated the contribution of Chartered Accountants across Northern Ireland and brought together leaders from across industry, professional services and enterprise.  

This week the Institute met with Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, and officials as preparations continue to gather pace for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU (‘EU Presidency’), now just three months away.  The meeting provided an opportunity to talk through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s submission on the Presidency and to set out what we believe Ireland’s priorities should be over the six‑month term with a focus on competitiveness and simplification.  Against that backdrop, the discussion focused on the importance of progressing two key initiatives: EU Inc. and the Savings and Investment Union. We emphasised that securing meaningful progress on these proposals within the six‑month window would represent a highly successful Presidency and would be of significant strategic importance for Ireland and the wider EU economy.  Chartered Accountants Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with Government in the lead‑up to, and throughout, the Presidency. With a 40,000-strong membership across Ireland and internationally, the Institute is well placed to support engagement, understanding and debate on key Presidency priorities.  Looking ahead, members can expect a programme of activity by the Institute during the six‑month Presidency, including publications, briefings and events focused on competitiveness and simplification. These initiatives will be designed to keep members informed, to showcase professional insights and to contribute positively to Ireland’s Presidency objectives. Further details will be shared in the coming months, and members are encouraged to keep an eye on Chartered News and Institute channels for updates. 

Proposals for a common rulebook to simplify business administration across the Single Market and boost EU competitiveness were presented by European Commissioner Michael McGrath, to the European College of Commissioners today. Chartered Accountants Ireland, the largest professional body on the island of Ireland notes the significant opportunity the proposals represent for Irish businesses, by removing market fragmentation, allowing businesses to operate across the Single Market under one coherent – and more predictable- set of rules and facilitating much-needed investment in Irish businesses.  The EU Inc. proposal is a new EU-wide legal framework designed to make it easier to set up, scale up and invest across the Single Market. It will provide an alternative to the complex and differing regulations faced by businesses that want to expand across different Member States. Under EU Inc., each company will be automatically recognised in all Member States, a key step in removing internal barriers and maximising free movement within the EU.  Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “‘EU Inc.’ represents a significant opportunity for Irish businesses, vastly reducing the amount of EU-level compliance required. We therefore strongly support the once-only, digital-first approach in simplifying administration and cutting red tape, which will help reduce costs and ease the burden of regulatory compliance. With a market of 450 million people, the European Single Market is the world’s largest trading bloc and for Irish companies wishing to expand into other Member States, this regulation is an essential first step towards reducing burdensome administration costs and enabling easier access to the European market.    “We are pleased to see that our recommendation to remove tax and labour law from the proposal was taken on board as inclusion of them would have complicated and delayed this vital legislation. We will continue to raise issues to enhance competitiveness and reduce red tape, and, in that context, we have consistently called for the harmonisation of statutory audit requirements, as inconsistency across EU Member States in this respect would present a barrier to fulfilling the promise of the EU Inc proposal.   The Institute welcomed Commissioner McGrath’s intention to adopt these proposals as a regulation, which will ensure consistency across the EU and ensure the proposals work in harmony with Member States’ national company laws. Concluding Ms Clohisey said “The Commission has set an objective to finalise these proposals by the end of the year. We encourage the Government to be proactive during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council to advance EU Inc. and ensure that SMEs across Europe can realise their potential.” The Institute notes that there is no public consultation planned and the proposals will move directly to discussions by the European Parliament and the Council with the objective to reach agreement on adoption by the end of the year. It is expected that EU Inc. will be operational by 2027. ENDS    

EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath has confirmed that the long awaited 28th Regime or ‘EU Inc’ proposals will be published next week. EU Inc. will be a new EU-wide legal framework designed to make it easier to set up, scale up and invest across the Single Market. It will provide an alternative to the complex and differing regulations faced by businesses that want to expand across different Member States. The ambition is that a company can be established using a fully digital platform within 48 hours, and it will be recognised throughout the European Union. There will be a common rulebook that will simplify business operations across the EU Single Market and boost competitiveness. With 450 million people, the Single Market is the world’s largest trading bloc. For Irish companies wishing to expand into other Member States, this legislation will reduce the burdensome administration costs and enable easier access to the European Market. Commissioner McGrath has set four distinct objectives from these proposals: The ability to register and establish a company cheaper, faster and digitally that is recognised in each Member State; EU Inc will provide for adaptable, flexible and future-ready governance tools; Companies will find it easier to attract and retain talent; Access to investment will be boosted. In September last year, Chartered Accountants Ireland responded to a call for evidence from the Commission on the 28th Regime. There will be a further public consultation on these proposals once they are announced and Chartered Accountants Ireland will engage in that process to ensure the final proposals adopted by the EU will fulfil the ambitions and objectives set out previously. The proposals are set to be launched next week, and the Institute will keep you informed of developments.

  This week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin highlights Ireland’s gender pay and digital skills gaps and their impact on competitiveness, alongside new requirements for centralised pay gap reporting. Also included are updates on the Government’s actions on energy security, offshore wind, expanded zero‑emission HDV grants, and the introduction of the EU’s ESAP portal to support SME finance. The Green Economy reached €12.1bn output in 2023, with emissions intensity falling. Also covered are EU clean‑energy measures, greenwashing guidance, technical updates, key articles, and upcoming sustainability events. IRELAND SMEs and sustainable finance Tánaiste and Minister of Finance, Simon Harris, has signed into law the Statutory Instruments creating the Irish framework of the European Single Access Point (ESAP), an EU-wide data portal centralising free source of public information about EU companies and investment products. Read more. Gender pay gap consequences for Ireland’s competitiveness, innovation and resilience Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has urged employers to publish their gender pay gap reports, pointing to new research showing how a gender pay gap is evident in the early stages of young women’s careers. A gender skills gap has also been a priority area for certain sectors across Europe, with research published by the ESRI and European Parliament. Read more. Energy security and competitiveness developments The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has convened a meeting of the Government's Energy Security Group to assess the current implications of the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region; however, commentators argue that the crisis in the Middle East exposes over-reliance on fossil fuels, particularly LNG as a liability for Ireland, and call for investment in household energy security and clean energy alternatives. Read more. Government expands zero emission HDV grants for Irish logistics sector Irish businesses are set to benefit from expanded Government support to help cut costs and accelerate the move to zero-emission transport. Read more. Gross Output of Ireland’s ‘Green Economy’ €12.1 billion in 2023 The Gross Output of the Green Economy was €12.1 billion in 2023, up 10 percent on 2022, according to figures released by the CSO office. Meanwhile, a separate publication revealed that Ireland’s economy is becoming less emissions-intensive and is producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity. Read more. ISIF invests €140m in new climate action fund The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), part of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), has announced it will commit up to €140m as a cornerstone investor in a major new climate action fund. Read more. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Urgent call for action as rising oil and gas costs hit households and businesses Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has written to the British Government warning that the rapid rise in global oil and natural gas prices is now placing significant pressure on households and businesses across the north. It comes as consumers using heating oil saw prices rise over 80 percent in less than a week. The Minister’s call for action builds on her engagement last week with her Irish and British Government counterparts, business, consumer, and industry stakeholders, on the stark price rises in petrol, diesel and heating oil. The call was made only five days after a report was published detailing the percentage  of electricity consumption in the region generated from renewable sources. The report found that the volume of renewable electricity generated in the year to December 2025 was equivalent to 47 percent of gross final electricity consumption compared to 44 percent in the previous period, of which the majority (72 percent) was from wind. EUROPE Commission presents measures to increase EU's energy independence and affordability The European Commission has presented a package of initiatives designed to boost investment in homegrown clean energy solutions, increase resilience and reduce energy prices. Delivering on the Affordable Energy Action Plan which was adopted in February 2025 to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, reduce energy dependencies and increase affordability for households, the package comprises: a Clean Energy Investment Strategy to help bridge the gap between the private capital currently available and the investments needed, de-risking projects and mobilising private finance for grids, innovative clean energy technologies and energy efficiency. a Citizens Energy Package to reduce energy bills, empower citizens to produce and share their own clean energy and fight against energy poverty a Strategy for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to reduce import dependencies and ensure strategic autonomy by enabling EU Member States pursuing this technology accelerate their development and deployment. The Commission will present further measures in due course. Accountancy Europe on the EU sustainable reporting ecosystem and greenwashing Accountancy Europe has called for stability in the EU sustainability reporting ecosystem, as the European Commission drafts and ultimately adopts the Delegated Act on Revised ESRS. Calling for the EC to “keep the standard-setting process technical and avoid subjecting it to political pressures” Accountancy Europe advises the Commission to refrain from further diluting the standards or reopening technical elements, which it warns would undermine the due process the Draft Revised ESRS went through at EFRAG level. Separately, Accountancy Europe’s new publication Trust and integrity: the role of corporate ecosystem actors in preventing greenwashing demonstrates that mitigating greenwashing risks requires a systemic approach. The publication examines how different actors in the corporate ecosystem (across the three lines of defence) can identify and mitigate greenwashing risks, clarifying how each contributes to safeguarding the integrity of sustainability disclosures. “Sustainability information is key to capital allocation and stakeholder decision-making and demand for it will persist. With lighter regulation due to the latest changes under the ‘simplification agenda’, ensuring good governance and clarifying the roles of corporate ecosystem actors is more important than ever.” RESOURCES Technical Roundup (from our colleagues in Professional Accounting)  The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has published:  a Jurisdictional Readiness Assessment Guide for the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards a podcast  on the latest developments around the ISSB.  EFRAG has called for a balanced and cost effective approach to the proposed changes to Scope 2 Guidance in its response to the public consultation of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, while also raising some strong concerns regarding the complexity of some of the proposals. EFRAG has  also released an updated version of the VSME digital template, which includes language support in Irish.  ARTICLES Sustainability isn’t dead. It’s a commercial risk (Business Post) "A Quiet Momentum" - Trends of Sustainability in Business for 2026 (IBEC) More than half a million car journeys avoided every day in Dublin by walking and cycling (The Journal) Why it makes sense for women to work for women (Financial Times) Women represent 40pc of board member positions in Irish companies (Irish Independent) Pension gender gap would see women working 10 extra years (Irish Examiner) “A real opportunity to level-set pay gaps”: Employers face new EU salary transparency rules (The Currency) After years of pay gap reporting, what do we know? (Financial Times) New law to fast-track infrastructure will ‘benefit businesses’ (Business Post) EVENTS Dublin Chamber, SustainableSolutions Match 2026 In conjunction with the Enterprise Europe Network, Dublin Chamber is running free online events to exchange ideas, discover innovations, and connect with partners who share the same ambition: building a more sustainable and circular European economy. Whether you’re a company searching for practical sustainability solutions or an innovator ready to showcase your ideas, this event is where collaboration turns into action. 🌍 Opening Session 16 March | 💡 Online Pitching Sessions 16-24 March | 🤝 Online B2B Meetings 16-27 March   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, 20 March 2026 | Half‑day workshop • Friday, 17 April 2026 | Half‑day workshop • Friday, 8 May 2026 | Half‑day workshop   Goodbody Clearstream From Strategy to Supplier Performance: Making EcoVadis Work for Your Organisation  Join this webinar to explore how EcoVadis is being used by organisations to strengthen their sustainability performance and meet growing expectations. We’ll begin with a clear introduction to the EcoVadis Scorecard and IQ Plus tools and hear directly from businesses that are using EcoVadis today. Through their experiences, you’ll gain valuable perspective on implementation timelines, internal engagement, challenges faced, and the business benefits achieved. Whether you’re new to EcoVadis or looking to better understand its role in supply chain and sustainability management, this session will provide practical insight into how the platform supports continuous improvement and risk management. Virtual | Thursday, 26 March |12:30pm – 1:15pm   SEAI, SEAI Energy Show 2026 The SEAI Energy Show is a business-to-business event where you can learn about the latest developments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. In person, RDS, Main Arena, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 AK83, 22nd - 23rd March 2026 Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.