Big changes are coming for Ireland’s infrastructure. This week, the Government published its Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan – a comprehensive blueprint to tackle delays and bottlenecks that have slowed down critical infrastructure projects for years. The report sets out 30 specific actions designed to speed up delivery and make the system more effective.  It is the outcome of months of work by experts on the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce identifying barriers to infrastructure delivery.  Why this report matters Ireland’s Revised National Development Plan commits €102billion in capital investment to 2030. But as we discussed at our recent Chartered roundtable event, investment alone isn’t enough. Projects have been stuck in planning, legal challenges, and layers of regulation. This report aims to change that, with reforms grouped under four pillars: Legal Reform, Regulatory Reform and Simplification, Co-ordination and Delivery Reform, and Public Acceptance along with 30 specific action points. It states that "Joined-up thinking is at the heart of this approach: housing, climate, energy, and competitiveness are interconnected, and this Action Plan ensures that infrastructure delivery supports all of these priorities."  We have reviewed the four pillars and pulled out the key points that you can read below.  Pillar 1: Legal reform   Legal reform is about breaking the judicial gridlock that has stalled vital projects. Judicial reviews have been a major source of delay, often tying up developments for years. The plan introduces reforms to narrow who can bring challenges, require viability checks before cases proceed, and allow emergency powers for critical infrastructure projects. These changes aim to strike a balance between protecting legal rights and ensuring essential projects can move forward without unnecessary obstruction.  Pillar 2: Regulatory reform and simplification  Regulatory Reform and Simplification is the pillar that focuses on reforming planning, licensing, consenting, and regulatory processes for critical infrastructure to make them proportionate, efficient, and balanced. Its goal is to cut unnecessary regulatory burdens, reducing time and costs while fostering innovation in delivery.  In parallel with examining the structures of the regulatory sector, the plan commits to a “major legislative reform exercise”, reviewing the legislative base that applies to the development of critical infrastructure in Ireland.  Critically, several of the actions in this pillar are focused on EU legislation, referencing the principle of proportionality as enshrined in European law and applied through a three-part test involving suitability, necessity, and balance. The government intends “that these principles cascade through the European Directives into the national legislation and associated regulatory frameworks.” This is a positive development, providing the opportunity for Ireland to rationalise and simplify existing legislative structures where necessary.   In addition, an early warning system for EU directives being transposed into Irish law will also be established, to flag any potential knock-on impacts on the delivery of infrastructure, so they can be dealt with early.  If implemented effectively, these measures could significantly reduce timelines and give businesses greater certainty.  Pillar 3: Co-ordination and delivery reform  This pillar focuses on breaking down silos and improving coordination - ensuring problems are solved speedily and responsibilities are clear. The report sets out that a new Joint Utilities and Transport Clearing House will be set up. It will centrally coordinate the state’s utilities to resolve blockages quickly, implement a statutory duty for departments and local authorities to cooperate, and introduce clear accountability measures.  The plan aims to tackle the culture of risk aversion within the public sector, including the civil service and state agencies. It proposes introducing risk appetite statements to give senior decision-makers greater confidence and protection when advancing critical infrastructure projects.  Pillar 4: Public acceptance  Infrastructure delivery is not only a technical challenge – it is a societal one. Public acceptance is fundamental to timely progress, and the report stresses the importance of clear communication, transparent evidence, and early engagement to build trust and reduce resistance. Public acceptance of the need for electrical, water and transport infrastructure development is essential for the building of a sustainable, decarbonised and successful economy.  While there is broad recognition of the need for infrastructure, opposition often emerges when local impacts are perceived, leading to delays, legal challenges, and difficulties in securing land access. To address this, the report outlines four specific actions including a duty on State Bodies to make land available for critical infrastructure, enhanced national communication campaigns to explain the benefits of infrastructure and, the establishment of a Benefits Realisation Framework for infrastructure projects.   What’s next?  The actions are split into 138 sub-actions, and the Institute is pleased to see that the sub-actions are primarily for delivery in 2026 and are particularly weighted towards completion in the first two quarters of 2026. This prioritisation reflects urgency, which is extremely welcome. The actions have set deadlines for implementation, and the report identifies the departments and agencies charged with implementation. The relevant Ministers and secretaries general of the various departments have been made ultimately responsive for ensuring the actions are completed.   The message is clear: change is coming to make infrastructure delivery faster, more predictable, and more accountable – good news for business and Ireland’s growth ambitions.  Want to know more? Linked below are some interesting reads in the media this week on the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan. Some items may require a subscription to read in full.  Business Post, 3 December 2025: Everything you need to know about the government’s new infrastructure plan Business Post, 3 December 2025: ‘A starting point, not a conclusion’ - business leaders on the infrastructure plan Business Post, 4 December 2025: 5 ways Ireland can learn from expensive mistake on infrastructure Business Post, 3 December 2025: Stripe and Meta chiefs among 25 to sign letter urging government action on infrastructure Irish Times, 4 December 2025: We can’t keep objecting to wind farms 10km out to sea if we want Ireland to progress Irish Times, 4 December 2025: People who object to infrastructure projects could be offered damages under new plan Irish Times, 4 December 2025: Infrastructure or bust? Nothing more important for Coalition than making this work RTÉ.ie, 3 December 2025: Government plan to speed up delivery of housing and infrastructure

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about the reduction in Ireland’s GHG emissions, along with warnings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council that now is the time to prepare to address climate change. Also covered is the UK’s public consultation on new Electric Vehicle Excise Duty, Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity use, a report showing how climate reporting strengthens public bodies’ risk management, and the UK FCA proposals to ensure transparency, reliability and comparability of ESG ratings, as well as the latest articles, resources, jobs and upcoming events.   IRELAND Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan publishes The Government has this week published its Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan to address delays and bottlenecks that have slowed down critical infrastructure projects in recent years. The outcome of months of work by experts on the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, the report sets out 30 specific actions designed to speed up delivery of critical infrastructure projects and make the system overall more efficient. Emphasising the importance of ‘joined-up’ thinking, the report stresses the interconnectedness of housing, climate, energy, and competitiveness with infrastructure delivery as the key to addressing the current shortcomings in all of these areas. Decarbonisation is identified as key to delivering the Government’s strategic priorities: “A resilient, decarbonised and internationally competitive electricity system is essential for the delivery of the Government’s key strategic priorities, including housing development, economic competitiveness, investment, growth and climate action.” Find further reaction to the report by the Chartered Accountants Ireland team here. Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions down 2.0 percent from 2023 Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 were down 2.0 percent from 2023 and 5.4 percent from the 1990-1994 average figure. This is according to figures released from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week, in a statistical release titled Environmental Indicators Ireland 2025 - Global Context and Climate. The release also shows that Ireland had the second highest emissions of greenhouse gases per capita (behind Luxembourg) in the EU-27 in 2023, and that the average annual temperature in Ireland was 10.45o Celsius in 2024, the third warmest year since data became available in 1961. Environmental Indicators Ireland was first published in 2012. This release is the first of two for 2025, and covers Global Context, Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change, Water and Land Use. The second release, which will publish in the coming months, will look at the thematic areas of the Environmental Economy, Air, Energy, Transport, Waste and Biodiversity. Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warns that now is the time to prepare The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned in its latest Fiscal Assessment Report that now is the time to prepare for future budgetary pressures while the economy is strong. The Report, which referred to research carried out by Eddie Casey and Killian Carroll (2023) What climate change means for Ireland’s public finances, which warns that climate change will have a significant impact on Ireland’s public finances, involving higher spending and resulting in some revenue streams falling and needing to be replaced. The pressure of addressing climate change, along with the pressure of supporting an ageing population, could amount to 6 percent of national income by 2050 (€20 billion in today’s terms). NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Public consultation on new Electric Vehicle Excise Duty The UK Government has opened a public consultation on the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), announced by the Government in Budget 2025. The eVED is a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, which will take effect from April 2028. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 18 March 2026 and you can find details including how to response here: Consultation on the Introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED). Northern Ireland renewable electricity use A total of 44.2 percent of total metered electricity consumed for the year ending September 2025 was generated from metered renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending September 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 October 2024 to September 2025, 82.2 percent was generated from wind. This compares to 81.9 percent for the previous 12-month period (year ending September 2024). Climate reporting strengthens public bodies’ grasp of risk, report finds A report from the UK’s National Audit Office (NAO) suggests that the requirement to file annual climate reports has strengthened public bodies’ grasp of relevant risk factors, leading to a range of further improvements. The report, titled Implementation of climate-related reporting in central government annual reports, evaluates the effects of new obligations upon central government bodies to report in line with the framework devised by the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The UK was among the first nations globally to introduce an internationally recognised framework of climate-related disclosure into annual reporting in central government. The NAO reportedly found examples of emerging good practice, particularly where there was integration between different government professions – such as finance, sustainability, risk and policy – and clear senior ownership of the risks and disclosures. This suggests that TCFD-aligned reporting has potential to deliver significant and valuable benefits to public bodies: “Respondents said that using TCFD to prepare their disclosures has boosted senior engagement with climate issues. In the process, it has helped leaders to improve their understanding of related risks, strengthen financial management and identify potential cost efficiencies.” FCA publishes proposals to ensure transparency, reliability and comparability of ESG ratings The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published proposals to ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings are transparent, reliable and comparable. ESG ratings inform investment decisions, risk management and regulatory reporting, and global spending on ESG data (including ratings) is projected to reach $2.2 billion in 2025. The proposal follows the decision by the UK Government to bring ESG ratings within the FCA’s remit which was supported by 95 percent of those who responded to its consultation. The aim of introducing clear, proportionate rules for transparency and governance is to help to build the market’s trust in ESG ratings and address concerns through proportionate oversight benefits business and reinforce the UK’s reputation as a global sustainable finance hub, supporting innovation and continued growth. Feedback on the proposals is invited until 31 March 2026. WORLD Greenhushing and climate communications Research conducted by the BBC, and reported upon by FTI Consulting, has found that companies may not be as reluctant to share information on climate commitments as commonly thought. The phenomenon of companies not wishing to talk about their science-aligned climate targets was described by South Pole, the Switzerland-based climate consultancy which originally coined the term ‘greenhushing’ in 2022.  Recent research by Harvard, has also found that only 13 percent of surveyed companies scaled back their sustainability efforts or public messaging, findings echoed by PwC in its 2025 Decarbonisation Report  which noted that the number of companies overall making climate commitments continued to grow showing a strong commitment to sustainability as a source of business value. “Companies may be talking less about their climate pledges, but many are focused on addressing rising energy demands, protecting value at risk, responding to evolving customer expectations, and designing their operations to secure long-term growth and resilience”.   ARTICLES ‘If we wait it will be too late’: Why 500 scientists are backing this urgent climate declaration (Euronews) PCAF Launches Updated Emissions Measurement and Reporting Standard for Financials (ESG Today) Global accounting body consults on new model for assessing bank risks (Reuters) If COP won't deliver, others will (Climate Action for Associations - CAFA) The wins of COP that nobody noticed (Financial Times) Banks should see climate resilience as a business opportunity (Sustainable Views – Subscription needed) In everyone’s interest: How the ECB can support the energy transition with green interest rates (WWF)       Events   Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Event to Help Employers Apply Reasonable Adjustments This in-person event will help employers create inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities by demonstrating how reasonable adjustments can and should be applied. Hear from employers A&O Shearman and Belfast City Council on effective approaches, and learn about support services and programmes from disability sector representatives and government departments. Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast, Thursday 11 December 2025, 9:30am – 1:00pm | Cost: Free Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University,  SMEs - Learning about Nature and Biodiversity This is the first in a series of three free webinars from the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business aimed at SMEs curious about nature and biodiversity links to business activity. This session provides a natural science introduction to ecosystems and explains how these aspects impact business operations, with examples from different sectors. Virtual, Thursday 15 January 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy: Green Public Procurement Training Join us on Wednesday the 4th of February for Half-day virtual workshop on Green Public Procurement as part of Sustainable Academy, sponsored by AIB. All companies now need to learn the green public procurement rules to bid and win new contracts with the public sector. Virtual,  Wed 4th Feb 2026 | 9am - 12.30pm. Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, Starting Your Journey with Tools and Frameworks Second in the series, this webinar explores tools and frameworks that support decision-making for nature and biodiversity, including the Natural Capital Protocol and TNFD. Learn how these approaches help businesses identify relevant priorities and communicate outcomes effectively. Virtual, Thursday 12 February 2026, 8:00am – 9: 00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, What Does ‘Good’ Look Like in Corporate Reporting? The final session in the Pentland Centre’s free webinar series for SMEs explores what effective reporting on nature and biodiversity looks like. Drawing on global examples, this webinar highlights best practices and practical approaches for integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate reporting. Virtual, Thursday 12 March 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm   Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.  

Commenting on the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland said  “It is evident that today’s report is the result of engagement with external expertise by the Taskforce, combined with the sectoral experience on the Taskforce itself. This represents an encouraging change in approach to the infrastructure challenge, with a strong focus on a culture of accountability and delivery.  “Infrastructure deficits need to be addressed holistically and strategically if Ireland is to achieve its growth ambitions. These 30 well-considered, high impact actions are encouraging from our perspective as a professional body representing 40,000 businesspeople across the economy. It is also encouraging to see such a commitment to reduce regulatory barriers in Ireland, and the acknowledgment that this will be done against a background of EU simplification. We look forward to seeing implementation under the four pillars in 2026.”  

    In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about the approaching deadline for gender pay gap reporting, funding announced for climate financing and local biodiversity action, and the publication of Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport. Also covered are green measures in the UK Autumn Budget 2026, the adoption of the 2026 EU budget and the delay of the EU Deforestation law, as well as outcomes from COP30 and the latest articles, resources, jobs and upcoming events. Chartered Accountants Ireland Congratulations to the SEAI Energy Awards 2025 winners Chartered Accountants Ireland would like to congratulate the winners and shortlisted candidates for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s 2025 SEAI Energy Awards, which were announced this week. Commenting, Institute’s Sustainability Advocacy Manager Susan Rossney and member of the Awards judging panel said: “ I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the Energy Efficiency Awards. Your innovation, dedication, and hard work stood out among an impressive field of entries. You are leading the way toward a more sustainable future. Particular congratulations are due to Institute member and co-founder of SustainabilityWorks, Laura Heuston, FCA, who is a member of the Institute’s Sustainability Expert Working Group and who was presented with the prestigious Chair’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy.” The SEAI Energy Awards celebrate individuals and organisations who demonstrate excellence in the drive for reduced fossil fuel usage, reduced emissions, reduced costs and a more resilient economy.  IRELAND Gender pay gap reporting deadline approaches The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, TD, has urged employers to publish their gender pay gap reports ahead of this week’s deadline for reporting. Since 2024, all employers with over 150 employees have been legally obliged to report on their gender pay gap. This has now been extended to all employers with over 50 staff, who will need to report for the first time this year, before the end of this week. The Gender Pay Gap Portal is accessible via the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s webpage at gov.ie/genderpaygap. €15.2 million climate financing announced Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien, TD, has announced €15.2 million in climate finance for Irish climate finance partners, while attending COP30, in Belém, Brazil. €10 million has been pledged to the Adaptation Fund for 2026, a fund dedicated to supporting developing countries build resilience and readiness for the effects of our changing climate. Ireland will host a new UN Development Programme (UNDP) Project Office in Dublin, dedicated to advancing sustainable finance to mobile the capital that will power a fair, inclusive, and global green transition.   Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026 launches Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, has launched the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026, with funding of €3 million being made available for local authorities to access for biodiversity projects under the scheme, managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan ‘Actions for Nature’ was launched in January 2024 and is available here. The closing date for applications is 5 February 2026. Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport publishes Cabinet approval has been granted for the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport under the recent National Development Plan (NDP) Review, the aim of which is to support comprehensive upgrading of Ireland’s water, energy and transport infrastructure. The Plan commits €22.3 billion to a diverse range of transport options, including public transport, active travel, roads, maritime, and aviation, over the next five years. An additional allocation of €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will support the development of MetroLink, bringing the total NDP Exchequer investment in transport to €24.3 billion between 2026 and 2030. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK A new Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) is among the green measures introduced by the 2025 UK Autumn Budget, announced this week. The new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars will come into effect from April 2028 at a rate of 3p per mile for battery electric vehicles and 1.5p per mile for plug-in hybrid cars (according to Para 3.6 of the Office for Budget Responsibility - Economic and fiscal outlook, November 2025): “The average driver of a battery electric car in 2028-29 driving 8,500 miles is therefore expected to be charged £255 in this year. This is roughly equivalent to half the rate of fuel duty tax paid per mile by drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles”. The UK Government has also announced a set of measures designed to increase the incentive to purchase electric vehicles, including an increase to the ‘expensive car supplement’ (ECS) threshold for battery electric cars, from £40,000 to £50,000 in April 2026, costing £0.5 billion in 2030-31. The ECS is an additional VED charge which is spread over five years, commencing a year after the vehicle is first registered, totalling £2,370 for a car purchased in 2025-26. The Government has also expanded the electric car grant between 2025-26 and 2029-30 at an average cost of £0.3 billion in these years. Other measures reportedly include an increase in the electric car grant launched in July 2025, and a 10-year 100 percent business-rates relief for eligible EV charge points.  Find more analysis, interpretation and informed, reliable commentary on the 2025 UK Autumn Budget from the Chartered Accountants Ireland tax team. EUROPE MEPs adopt 2026 EU budget MEPs have adopted the 2026 EU budget, signing into law more than €372.7 million for key priorities such as energy and transport infrastructure, humanitarian aid, and civil protection. The focus of the budget is reportedly on competitiveness, research and security, and support for cross-border infrastructure, border management, climate action and foreign policy. Among other measures, MEPs increased funding for Horizon Europe by €20 million and for transport and energy networks by €23.5 million. EU deforestation law delayed MEPs have voted to simplify the EU’s deforestation law, which was adopted in 2023 to ensure products sold in the EU are not sourced from deforested land. Large operators and traders will now have until 30 December 2026, and micro- and small enterprises from 30 June 2027, to comply with the new rules. Although the additional time is reportedly intended to “guarantee a smooth transition and to allow the implementation of measures to strengthen the IT system that operators, traders and their representatives use to make electronic due diligence statements”, businesses like Nestle, Ferraro and Tony’s Chocolonely have criticised the delay, citing, among other things the acceleration of climate change impacts and the undermining of trust in Europe’s regulatory commitments. Parliament will now start negotiations with Member States on the final shape of the law, which has to be endorsed by both Parliament and the Council and published in the EU Official Journal before the end of 2025, for the one-year delay to enter into force. WORLD COP30  –  “a deal to protect the process” COP is over for another year, notably without agreement on a unified roadmap to phase down fossil fuel use. While reaction has been mixed to the outcomes of the global climate summit held in Belém, Brazil, there have been positive responses to several measures agreed during the two-week event, notably the announcement of ‘informal roadmaps’ and maintained momentum.  Commenting, former President Mary Robinson described it as “a deal to protect the process [of the COPs]”, and paid particular tribute to the growth of investment in clean energy, the launch of a Global Implementation Accelerator, the Gender Action Plan, and an improved just transition mechanism. COP31 will take place next year in Turkey. Business & Biodiversity Benchmark The Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO) and PwC Netherlands have reportedly published a Business & Biodiversity Benchmark examining 30 European companies across the food and beverage, extractives and pharmaceuticals sectors. The report found that “while awareness of biodiversity has grown substantially among European companies, integrating it into business strategy and measurable targets remains limited”, despite the materiality of biodiversity to companies in sectors. ARTICLES Doubling down on DEI to drive business in a volatile world (Briefly from Accountancy Ireland) Court Blocks California’s Climate-Risk Law as Emissions Rule Moves Forward (ESG news) Private firms still lag listed companies for female board members (Irish Independent)   JOBS Financial Services - Climate Change and Sustainability Services - Senior Consultant (EY) Sustainability Associate Director (GT) Sustainability Manager (GT) RESOURCES CA ANZ launches Sustainability Playbook Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) have released its Sustainability Playbook, a practical guide designed to help accounting and finance professionals build the skills and confidence needed to navigate one of the most significant transformations in corporate reporting in decades. In addition to actionable strategies to build capability, structure finance teams, and prepare for sustainable accounting and audit practices, the playbook also spotlights real-world examples of sustainability in action, showing how accountants are helping organisations manage climate risk, unlock strategic opportunities and create long-term value. EVENT EY, Four Futures: Exploring Climate Scenarios This immersive workshop invites people to step into the year 2055 and explore four distinct climate scenarios—Business As Usual, Transform, Constrain, and Collapse. Enhanced by the CCaSS team, this updated iteration incorporates the latest insights on climate impacts in Ireland. Participants will dive deeper into key drivers of climate change and examine how Business As Usual and Transform scenarios affect society, business, and the economy. EY Offices, Harcourt Street, Dublin, D02 YA40, Friday 28 November – Friday 5 December 2025 Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), Online Summit This year’s Summit will equip participants with ways to advance net zero, nature positive and just transition strategies in the face of a shifting global landscape. Sessions will explore the latest developments in sustainability accounting, reporting and transition planning, AI and advanced analytics and integrating nature into finance, offering practical tools and examples to embed sustainability into financial decision-making processes Virtual, 1-4 December. Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy: Making It Work Inside Your Organisation This half-day workshop is designed for people working behind the scenes — in finance, operations, HR and other internal roles, those who play a key part in shaping how their organisation runs day to day. It focuses on how sustainability can be built into internal systems and processes in a way that supports both people and performance. In person, 4 Dec 9am - 1pm, Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 D02 F9O2 Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Event to Help Employers Apply Reasonable Adjustments This in-person event will help employers create inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities by demonstrating how reasonable adjustments can and should be applied. Hear from employers A&O Shearman and Belfast City Council on effective approaches, and learn about support services and programmes from disability sector representatives and government departments. Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast, Thursday 11 December 2025, 9:30am – 1:00pm | Cost: Free Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University,  SMEs - Learning about Nature and Biodiversity This is the first in a series of three free webinars from the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business aimed at SMEs curious about nature and biodiversity links to business activity. This session provides a natural science introduction to ecosystems and explains how these aspects impact business operations, with examples from different sectors. Virtual, Thursday 15 January 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy: Green Public Procurement Training Join us on Wednesday the 4th of February for Half-day virtual workshop on Green Public Procurement as part of Sustainable Academy, sponsored by AIB. All companies now need to learn the green public procurement rules to bid and win new contracts with the public sector. Virtual,  Wed 4th Feb 2026 | 9am - 12.30pm. Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, Starting Your Journey with Tools and Frameworks Second in the series, this webinar explores tools and frameworks that support decision-making for nature and biodiversity, including the Natural Capital Protocol and TNFD. Learn how these approaches help businesses identify relevant priorities and communicate outcomes effectively. Virtual, Thursday 12 February 2026, 8:00am – 9: 00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, What Does ‘Good’ Look Like in Corporate Reporting? The final session in the Pentland Centre’s free webinar series for SMEs explores what effective reporting on nature and biodiversity looks like. Drawing on global examples, this webinar highlights best practices and practical approaches for integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate reporting. Virtual, Thursday 12 March 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.  

    COP30 – the 2025 global climate summit – is into its second week as delegates strive to deliver a global Mutirão, the proposal by the Brazilian presidency to unite humanity in a global mobilisation against climate change. Running until 21 November in Belém, Brazil, the summit discusses the  action the global community is taking on tackling climate change.  A world on fire On Thursday 20 November UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged negotiators to reach an "ambitious compromise", but negotiations were later interrupted as a fire broke out in a pavilion where talks were being held, forcing evacuation. EU Climate commissioner Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra in a press conference this week called for “ambitious” plans as the world comes “dangerously close to truly destructive tipping points”, although reportedly ruled out revisiting financial pledges or being "lured into a phony conversation about trade”. Although Brazil’s environment minister Marina Silva reportedly suggested this year’s COP30 climate summit could result in a roadmap to end the use of fossil fuels through a “planned and just transition”, the COP30 draft text as of 21 November reportedly omits any mention of a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap. Talks will resume later than anticipated on Friday, which is likely to delay the official closing of the summit and the finalisation of the negotiating text. The lifeblood of climate action Last week, Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, made clear the connection between finance and climate action in his opening speech at the third High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on climate finance. Describing climate finance as the lifeblood of climate action and “what turns plans into progress, and ambition into implementation”, Steill pointed to progress made since the Paris Agreement. Climate cooperation has seen public and private flows of climate finance growing, new partnerships forged, and billions of dollars flowing into clean energy, resilience, and just transitions across the world. However, Stiell also addressed the shortfall in climate finance, which is still not sufficient or reliable enough, or shared widely and fairly enough. He also drew attention to the gap in adaptation finance required by countries to adapt to the effects of climate chaos, although in a later speech remained confident that COP30 would deliver results: “COP30 has racked up an impressive scorecard of real-world climate actions that will also mean stronger economies, more jobs and better lives for many millions”. Chartered Accountants Ireland will bring you more from the final days of COP30 as negotiations conclude next week.

This week the Institute received formal correspondence from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) regarding My Future Fund. The letter, which members may have seen reported in media yesterday, emphasises that it is an offence to hinder employees from participating in My Future Fund. It clarifies that, despite recent reports, there has been no legal change requiring employers to enrol staff in occupational pension schemes to avoid automatic enrolment. The DSP has outlined that they understand that in some instances, employees are being compelled to join schemes with minimal employer contributions - often just 1% of salary – which falls short of the contributions required by My Future Fund. Such arrangements may deprive employees of meaningful pension benefits and could constitute an offence under Section 128 of the Auto Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (AE Act). Any cases where employees are illegally obliged to join another pension scheme, preventing them from accessing My Future Fund will be fully investigated by DSP. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these developments and ensure clients are fully informed. Background on Auto Enrolment/My Future Fund From 1 January 2026, the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System – branded as My Future Fund - will come into effect. This initiative, legislated under the AE Act, is designed to provide employees who currently lack pension coverage with a secure and quality-assured way to save for retirement. Eligible employees - those aged over 23 and under 66, earning more than €5,000 in any 13-week period, and not already enrolled in a payroll-based pension scheme - will be automatically enrolled. The scheme will be operated and regulated by the newly established National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA). Clarifications and compliance issues raised by the DSP The Department outlined that it has come to their attention that contribution levels under My Future Fund will be significantly higher than those currently reported in some occupational schemes, where employer contributions may be as low as 1% of salary. According to the correspondence, such low contribution rates are considerably below the initial and future contribution levels set for My Future Fund. The Department advises that any approach which results in employees being enrolled in schemes with substantially lower benefits could raise compliance concerns under the AE Act. The Department confirms that there has been no legislative change requiring employers to enrol staff in occupational schemes to circumvent automatic enrolment. However, it has become aware of cases where employees are being compelled to join such schemes, even where membership is not required under their contracts of employment. This practice, combined with very low employer contributions, could prevent employees from accessing My Future Fund and may constitute an offence under Section 128 of the AE Act. The letter also highlights compliance obligations. Employers enrolling staff in occupational schemes must meet disclosure requirements under the Pensions Act, ensuring employees receive full and accurate information about the terms and benefits of any scheme they join. Furthermore, sharing employee details with pension administrators without explicit consent may breach data protection law, exposing employers to legal and reputational risks. Finally, the Department notes that NAERSA, in consultation with the Pensions Authority, is considering developing standards to determine whether an occupational scheme qualifies as an exempt scheme under the AE Act. These standards will aim to include minimum contribution rates and conditions to ensure that any exempt pension schemes offers benefits at least as favourable as those provided under My Future Fund. Members should monitor these developments closely, as they will directly impact employer obligations and the advice professionals provide to clients. 

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about sustainability in the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society’s Published Accounts Awards. Also covered is the upcoming public consultation on new Responsible Business Compass, measures announced by the Government to support resilience, competitiveness and economic growth in the face of severe climate change impacts, the publication of the Northern Ireland (NI) Environmental Principles Policy Statement, the European Commission’s proposals to simplify transparency rules for sustainable financial products, and attempts at COP30 to deliver a global Mutirão. We also bring you the latest articles, resources, jobs and upcoming events. Chartered Accountants Ireland Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society’s Published Accounts Awards Sustainability was the dominant theme of the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society’s Published Accounts Awards, which took place last week. Organisations placed increasing emphasis on sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), diversity and inclusion and brand storytelling. The standard, according to the judging panel, was reportedly among the strongest in recent years, with ESB winning the overall award on the theme ‘Empowering the Sustainable Energy Transition’, which focused on planet, place and people. Commenting, awards judge Anthony Raivellur described sustainability reporting as extending beyond disclosure to encompass about accountability, transparency and alignment with the Paris Agreement, as well as people, community and purpose.   IRELAND Public consultation on new Responsible Business Compass Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth has launched a public consultation on the new Responsible Business Compass. This is an online pilot tool designed to help Irish businesses, particularly SMEs, understand and comply with sustainability-related EU Regulations and Directives. Funded by the European Union’s Technical Support Instrument (TSI), the Compass consolidates nine key EU Regulations and Directives related to sustainability and responsible business practices. It aims to provide structured guidance on compliance obligations while connecting businesses to relevant supports offered by government departments and agencies. The project is being developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in cooperation with the European Commission, to deliver a comprehensive report and pilot tool for Irish enterprises. The public consultation is open for four weeks on the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment website. Feedback from stakeholders will inform the final development of the Compass ICT tool, which will later be made available via the departmental website and the National Enterprise Hub. Appointment to the Climate Change Advisory Council - Call for expressions of interest Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment as a member of the Climate Change Advisory Council, the independent advisory body tasked with assessing and advising on how Ireland can achieve the transition to a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy. There will be a total of eight vacancies, including the Chair, throughout 2026 with appointments of three or five years depending on the post. These appointments will assist the Council in its activities, including advising Ministers and Government on climate policy, conducting annual and periodic reviews of progress in furthering the achievement of the national climate objective as well as proposing carbon budgets to the Minister. For the full details of the roles and requirements please refer to the candidate information booklet which can be found at Call for Expression of Interest - Climate Change Advisory Council . The closing date for applications is 3.00pm on 5 December 2025. Protecting Ireland’s communications networks from extreme weather The Government has approved the publication of the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Communication networks in line with the National Adaptation Framework, part of a suite of measures to ensure that Ireland’s telecommunication networks will be fit for future climate challenges. The updated plan sets out how the sector will strengthen the resilience of Ireland’s communication networks in the face of climate challenges, reflecting, among other things, a commitment to support businesses as Ireland transitions to a climate-resilient future and acknowledging that insufficient climate change adaptation measures and resilience undermine competitiveness and economic growth. The plan was published on the same day the Government approved 13 Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs) to support resilience, competitiveness and economic growth in the face of severe climate change impacts. Among these, the Biodiversity Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan mentions the important role that businesses and the private sector play in addressing biodiversity loss. It points to the establishment of the Business for Biodiversity Ireland Platform, which works across the private sector to promote education and awareness, and to support businesses driving nature-positive practices. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Publication of Environmental Principles Policy Statement The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the Northern Ireland (NI) Environmental Principles Policy Statement. The Statement aims to ensure that environmental considerations are central to policy development and delivery in all Government departments. It will guide policymakers to consistently consider environmental impacts, prevent damage, and find innovative opportunities to enhance the environment.  The Act includes provisions for embedding in domestic law in England and Northern Ireland five environmental principles: the principle that environmental protection should be integrated into the making of policies; the principle of preventative action to avert environmental damage; the precautionary principle, so far as relating to the environment; the principle that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source; and the polluter pays principle.  The Statement will be now laid before the Assembly for scrutiny. EUROPE Commission simplifies transparency rules for sustainable financial products The European Commission has proposed a set of amendments to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the EU’s transparency framework for financial products integrating environmental or social aims. The changes are designed to address current shortcomings, making the rules simpler, more efficient, better aligned with market realities, more retail-friendly and usable for companies. For FAQs see here. Accountancy Europe Sustainability Update Accountancy Europe has published its November Sustainability Update with the following highlights EP and Council adopt their position on 2040 climate target and signal EU commitment to climate neutrality Council’s conclusions on future policy priorities EU Member States call for delay and simplification of Deforestation Regulation ESMA final report on EU Green Bond Regulation Technical Standards IAASB publishes FAQs on ISSA 5000 relevance for CSRD assurance engagements WORLD COP30  –  Mutirão COP30 – the 2025 global climate summit – is into its second week as delegates strive to deliver a global Mutirão, the proposal by the Brazilian presidency to unite humanity in a global mobilization against climate change. Running until 21 November in Belém, Brazil, the summit discusses the world’s action on tackling climate change.  You can check Chartered Accountants Ireland COP30 coverage and resources on its Sustainability Centre. ARTICLES ICAEW boosts sustainability leadership with new hire (ICAEW) Where next for sustainability in business? (Briefly from Accountancy Ireland) The hidden financial cost of weakening EU due diligence rules - Ignoring supply chain risks is costing companies billions of euros  (FT Sustainable Views – Subscription needed) Alan Kirkpatrick, “Carbon Pricing Policies and Global Climate Change” 25 June 2025 1 Carbon Pricing Policies and Global Climate Change - Critical Perspectives (Second edition) What’s really holding women back at work? (Irish Times) RESOURCES Compiled by Daniel Murray, the weekly Business Post - ESG Briefing on the latest ESG news is worth your time. The Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA), in collaboration with the Irish Accounting and Finance Association (IAFA), recently hosted a webinar on CSRD Reporting and Assurance. The full webinar is available on IAASA’s YouTube channel. PODCAST Behind the Story: The real cost of Ireland's fossil fuels Ireland is spending €1 million every hour on fossil fuels, energy expert Dr Paul Deane has told Behind the Story. It comes as a recent report from the Irish Academy of Engineering says Ireland needs to rebalance its energy policy. (RTÉ – 33 mins) JOBS Financial Services - Climate Change and Sustainability Services - Senior Consultant (EY) Sustainability Associate Director (GT) Sustainability Manager (GT) Events Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy: Making Sustainability Part of the Customer Conversation This half-day workshop focuses on how sustainability shapes customer expectations and how we can respond with clear, confident communication. It’s designed for those in customer-facing roles, including sales, marketing and client/relationship management who are responsible for how their organisation is seen and understood by clients and customers. In person, 26 Nov, 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM, Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 D02 F9O2 IBEC, Practical Ways to Support Neuro-Inclusive Workplaces The BioPharmaChem Ireland D&I Forum, in conjunction with BioPharmaChem Skillnet, is hosting an online session focused on practical strategies to support neuro-inclusive workplaces. The webinar will feature Terry Gleeson (Specialisterne Ireland) sharing solutions to create inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees. Susan Costello (BioPharmaChem Skillnet) will highlight their award-winning Certificate in CPD in Neurodiversity in the Workplace programme, followed by Linda Mulholland (APC) discussing her experience completing the course and the learnings she applied in her own workplace. Virtual, 26 November 11:00 - 12:00 Goodbody Clearstream, Cost & Opportunity of Transitioning to Net Zero This interactive masterclass will feature a presentation by Goodbody Clearstream on the practical steps and costs of transitioning your business, followed by an interactive panel discussion on how decarbonisation strategies and actions drive business value. Come and hear how Uniphar, I-RES and AIB are transitioning their businesses for a low carbon economy.   In person, location TBC (Dublin 4), 27 November, 14.00-15.00 (light lunch from 1pm – 2pm) IBEC, Preparing for Severe Weather Events Severe weather conditions can cause major disruption to roads, bus or train infrastructure and therefore, the operation of your business. In this webinar, Dr. Michael Gillen, Head of OSH Policy will review the key points to consider, practical steps and control measures you can put in place. Virtual, 26 November 11:00 - 11:45 InterTradeIreland, Trade Series: Understanding ESG & Sustainability This free webinar will help businesses understand ESG principles, sustainability strategies, and practical steps for compliance and growth. It will cover reporting requirements, risk management, and opportunities for SMEs. Gain practical insights into how ESG and sustainability practices can help your business remain competitive, compliant, and future-ready, as well as an overview of emerging ESG and Sustainability reporting requirements. Online, Wednesday 26 November 2025, 11:00am–12:30pm EY, Four Futures: Exploring Climate Scenarios This immersive workshop invites people to step into the year 2055 and explore four distinct climate scenarios—Business As Usual, Transform, Constrain, and Collapse. Enhanced by the CCaSS team, this updated iteration incorporates the latest insights on climate impacts in Ireland. Participants will dive deeper into key drivers of climate change and examine how Business As Usual and Transform scenarios affect society, business, and the economy. EY Offices, Harcourt Street, Dublin, , D02 YA40, Friday 28 November – Friday 5 December 2025 Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy: Making It Work Inside Your Organisation This half-day workshop is designed for people working behind the scenes — in finance, operations, HR and other internal roles, those who play a key part in shaping how their organisation runs day to day. It focuses on how sustainability can be built into internal systems and processes in a way that supports both people and performance. In person, 4 Dec 9am - 1pm, Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 D02 F9O2 Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Event to Help Employers Apply Reasonable Adjustments This in-person event will help employers create inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities by demonstrating how reasonable adjustments can and should be applied. Hear from employers A&O Shearman and Belfast City Council on effective approaches, and learn about support services and programmes from disability sector representatives and government departments. Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast, Thursday 11 December 2025, 9:30am – 1:00pm | Cost: Free Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University,  SMEs - Learning about Nature and Biodiversity This is the first in a series of three free webinars from the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business aimed at SMEs curious about nature and biodiversity links to business activity. This session provides a natural science introduction to ecosystems and explains how these aspects impact business operations, with examples from different sectors. Virtual, Thursday 15 January 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy: Green Public Procurement Training Join us on Wednesday the 4th of February for Half-day virtual workshop on Green Public Procurement as part of Sustainable Academy, sponsored by AIB. All companies now need to learn the green public procurement rules to bid and win new contracts with the public sector. Virtual,  Wed 4th Feb 2026 | 9am - 12.30pm. Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, Starting Your Journey with Tools and Frameworks Second in the series, this webinar explores tools and frameworks that support decision-making for nature and biodiversity, including the Natural Capital Protocol and TNFD. Learn how these approaches help businesses identify relevant priorities and communicate outcomes effectively. Virtual, Thursday 12 February 2026, 8:00am – 9: 00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, What Does ‘Good’ Look Like in Corporate Reporting? The final session in the Pentland Centre’s free webinar series for SMEs explores what effective reporting on nature and biodiversity looks like. Drawing on global examples, this webinar highlights best practices and practical approaches for integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate reporting. Virtual, Thursday 12 March 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.    

The second six-monthly SME Business Sentiment Survey from Chartered Accountants Ireland and GRID Finance has found that 60% of businesses have been impacted by global trade tensions and tariffs. The survey measures and tracks the experience, confidence and sentiment of SMEs, including small accounting practices, doing business in Ireland. The inaugural survey took place in April 2025.  Businesses more prepared for trade tensions and tariffs  Despite uncertainty in global trade and tariffs, the proportion of businesses unprepared for related disruptions has fallen from 36% to 23% in the past six months - suggesting growing resilience. Business members in particular feel better equipped to manage these issues, rising to 25% now compared to just 15% in April. The effects of Brexit continue to be felt with 41% of respondents reporting that it had a negative impact on their business.  Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy, Chartered Accountants Ireland said: “The findings highlight both the resilience and the pressures facing SMEs. While more businesses are now prepared for global trade disruptions, the environment remains volatile and demands continued vigilance. Our members are uniquely positioned to help businesses plan, adapt, and thrive amid these challenges, offering the trusted guidance and expertise needed to build long-term resilience. “Encouragingly, nearly a third of members (32%) report business profitability has increased in the last 6 months, an improvement on April’s findings. One in three also believe that their business will be better off in the next 12 months, up 5% from the previous survey.”  Cost pressures continue to bite The survey found that business costs are continuing to increase for the vast majority (79%) of SMEs. Small businesses remain under pressure from rising labour costs, which nearly two-fifths identify as their greatest financial challenge. This is followed by rising operational costs (30%) and regulatory compliance costs (12%). Not only are costs a financial challenge to businesses, they are viewed as the biggest competitiveness challenge faced by SMEs at 45%. This is followed by salary demands and talent pipeline/shortages. Countdown to auto-enrolment Almost two-thirds (64%) of businesses indicate that they are prepared for the pension auto-enrolment start date of 1 January. The findings reveal that business size is a significant factor in how companies prepare for this new scheme. Those with 50+ employees are more likely to budget for increased costs and expand their existing occupational pension schemes at 53% and 49% respectively compared to 32% and 33% for organisations with fewer than 50 employees.  Clohisey continued “Businesses are taking steps to ready themselves with almost 60% having attended an information session, but only 39% have budgeted for increased costs related to the scheme. Smaller firms will need additional support to manage the costs and administrative burden this reform will bring. Continued government support will be vital to ensure no business is left behind." Eoin Christian, CEO, GRID Finance said: “The November survey findings highlight the views of small businesses across a range of critical issues and clearly illustrate the challenges they continue to face. Chief among these are rising costs related to staffing, day-to-day operations and regulatory compliance. When combined with an uncertain global trading environment, these pressures make it more important than ever for small organisations to closely assess their operations and future cash-flow requirements. “With almost one-fifth of respondents reporting increased demand for borrowing, and nearly one-third applying for government supports, it is evident that businesses are actively seeking financial assistance — both from the State and from specialist finance providers such as GRID Finance.” You can read the survey in full here. About the SME Business Sentiment Survey The SME Business Sentiment Survey is conducted by Chartered Accountants Ireland and GRID Finance, the Institute’s Official Independent Lender Partner. This survey was conducted by Coyne Research between 2 and 19 October 2025 and will be repeated every six months. Approximately 300 members were surveyed from organisations employing fewer than 250 people.   About GRID Finance GRID Finance is dedicated to providing accessible and sustainable financing solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. With a deep understanding of the needs of Irish SMEs, GRID Finance offers a range of financial products and services designed to support growth, resilience, and long-term success. Social Impact and B-Corp Accreditation As a Certified B Corporation, GRID Finance meets the highest standards of social and environmental impact. With an overall B Impact Score of 127.9, significantly higher than the median score of 50.9 for ordinary businesses, GRID Finance is committed to continuous improvement and leading the transformation of the global economic system.      

    In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about COP30, the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, Bank of Ireland’s green bond sale, the continued rise in global demand for green skills, calls for faster action as Ireland overshoots its first carbon budget targets and proposals for the future of environmental governance in Northern Ireland. Also covered is the adoption by the European Parliament of its negotiating position on sustainability reporting and due diligence duties for businesses and on the EU Climate Law, as well as calls for an ambitious gender equality strategy, and the OECD’s reports on effective carbon rates and global corporate sustainability. We also bring you the latest articles, jobs and upcoming events. IRELAND COP30  – a focus on implementation COP30 – the 2025 global climate summit – is underway this week. Running until 21 November, with world leaders, policy-makers, diplomats and activists converging on Belém, Brazil, the summit will discuss the world’s action on tackling climate change. The most significant event on the global climate calendar, the summit’s focus this year is on implementation. The summit’s theme of “readiness and resilience” will emphasise adaptation, infrastructure, local governments, circular economy, and water/waste systems. Nature-based solutions and forests will also feature prominently, particularly as Belém is located at the mouth of the Amazon rainforest,. The topic of mobilising finance will be key part of the summit also Minister Darragh O’Brien TD will lead Ireland’s National Climate Delegation for the political negotiations. The Delegation is made up of officials from across Government and a number of agencies.  At next year’s COP31, Ireland will lead the EU's negotiations as it will hold the EU presidency.  You can check Chartered Accountants Ireland COP30 coverage and resources on its Sustainability Centre. NDP Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030 publishes The Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030 for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has been published, aligned with the goals, objectives and actions of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment's new Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 28 (published in September). The plan will support investment of over €5.6 billion by the department in key government priorities, such as in the energy, climate and circular economy sectors over the next five years. Key priorities include meeting the commitments in the Programme for Government to allocate a share of annual carbon tax proceeds for investment in energy efficiency programmes, continuing sustained action to tackle the climate crisis and to decarbonise the economy, delivering the energy infrastructure required to sustain a growing economy, improving our competitiveness and promoting a circular economy. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has published information on the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), an environmental management tool from the European Union granted to organisations that have made efforts in enhancing their environmental performance.  Recognised internationally as a certification in the world of sustainability, transparent public reporting and legal compliance, EMAS certification requires an organisation to examine the impact it has on the environment, to plan on how to improve in the future and to then check the progress and publish a statement on its green performance after externally verifying it by an accredited auditor. Strong investor demand as Bank of Ireland raises €750 million from green bond sale Bank of Ireland has raised €750 million from its second green bond issuance of the year to finance more climate action projects in renewable energy and green buildings. Orders exceeded €2.6 billion with participation from over 140 investors globally. This year, Bank of Ireland completed its largest green energy investment to date, financed its first solar power project, and expanded its Enviroflex sustainability-linked loans – originally available to the dairy sector – to include tillage farmers.  Bank of Ireland’s sustainability-related lending grew to €16.5 billion at the end of September 2025, achieving and exceeding its end-2025 target of €15 billion ahead of schedule. The Bank is targeting €30 billion in sustainability-related lending to households and businesses by 2030. Report finds that global demand for green skills exceeds supply A Labour Market Pulse Report from Microsoft, LinkedIn and Ireland's Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has found that demand for green skills in Ireland has grown at twice the global rate between 2021–2024, and that, globally, demand currently exceeds supply. The report also suggests that green jobs will outnumber qualified workers two to one by 2050.  In addition to workers with technical skills (e.g. engineers with expertise in battery storage, grid integration and offshore wind), managers with knowledge of carbon accounting, environmental compliance, and sustainable supply chains are also highly sought after across sectors. EU awards €3.5 million to two projects to accelerate Ireland’s clean energy transition The European Commission has granted almost €3.5 million to two Irish projects, HERO and BUSUnited, under the 2024 EU LIFE Programme to accelerate Ireland’s clean energy transition. The projects will focus on expanding home energy renovation services and tackling skills shortages in the construction sector. The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment, climate action and clean energy. For the 2021–2027 period it has a budget of approximately €5.432 billion. Most projects receive between €1 million and €5 million in co-financing, with higher amounts available for larger integrated projects. Climate Change Advisory Council calls for faster action The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has reported that Ireland has failed to achieve the targeted emission reductions during the first Carbon Budget period (2021-2025), with an overshoot of approximately 10 Mt CO2eq. This overshoot, the CCAC warns, will need to be paid back in the next Carbon Budget period (2026-2030) making it increasingly difficult to achieve. Transport was singled out as a particularly emissions-intensive sector. The Council emphasised the critical role that Local Authorities play in driving climate action at community level, as well as the significant opportunity that Ireland has to invest in households, communities and businesses, rather than paying punitive compliance costs estimated to be up to €26bn for failing to meet EU targets. Ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, the Council has urged the Government to fully integrate all climate and energy-related EU directives into Irish law within the legally binding time limit. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Proposals set out for future of environmental governance in Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir is seeking agreement for the establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland following publication of an expert independent panel report. The body, which would be overseen by an independent board led by a non-executive chair, would have full operational independence and would allow for better and more accountable environmental protection and regulation. Commenting Minister Muir said, “The costs of inaction are simply too great, we should look no further than Lough Neagh or the illegal dump at Mobuoy which, as you will know, could cost hundreds of millions of pounds to resolve. Restoring trust and confidence in environmental protection is crucial for the economy and for our communities. Better and more accountable regulation will create a fair and level playing field for all.” EUROPE European Parliament adopts negotiating position on simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence duties for businesses The European Parliament has adopted its negotiating position on simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence duties for businesses. The MEPs voted that only businesses employing on average over 1,750 employees and with a net annual turnover of over €450 million should have to carry out reporting under the CSRD. Only businesses within this scope would also be required to provide sustainability reporting under taxonomy rules (i.e. a classification of sustainable investments). Reporting standards would be further simplified and reduced, requiring fewer qualitative details, and sector-specific reporting would become voluntary. Smaller companies would be protected from the reporting requirements arising from relationships with their larger business partners, which would not be allowed to request more information than what is set out in the voluntary standards. MEPs also voted for due diligence requirements to apply only to large corporations with more than 5,000 employees and a net annual turnover of over €1.5 billion. MEPs want these businesses “to adopt a risk-based approach to monitoring and identifying their negative impact on people and the planet.” These companies would no longer need to prepare a transition plan to make their business model compatible with the Paris Agreement and could face fines for not complying with due diligence requirements, the guidance on which will be provided by the Commission and Member States. Offending firms would be liable at the national rather than EU level and would have to fully compensate their victims for damages. Negotiations with EU governments, which have already adopted their position on the file, will start on 18 November, with the aim of finalising the legislation by the end of 2025. European Parliament calls for ambitious gender equality strategy The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to present an ambitious 2026–2030 gender equality strategy, with concrete legislative and non-legislative measures in key areas.  MEPs are calling, among other things, for gender-based violence to be an EU crime, for EU equality legislation to be implemented in full, for safe and legal abortion care to be a fundamental right, and for a consent-based definition of rape in EU legislation. MEPs adopts position on EU Climate Law The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Commission’s proposal for an amendment to the EU Climate Law, setting a new, intermediate and binding 2040 EU climate target of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels.  The Parliament will now start negotiations with Member States on the final shape of the law. Agreement reached on single EU methodology for calculating transport emissions EU Parliament and Council negotiators have agreed on a single EU methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services. Under the preliminary agreement, the new rules will make it easier to compare the environmental performance of different transport modes across the EU, helping consumers and businesses make informed choices and reducing the risk of greenwashing. While the new rules will not oblige transport companies to calculate their GHG emissions, if they choose to do so (for instance for reporting, contractual or marketing purposes), or when required by other EU rules, they will be obliged to apply the common EU methodology. Accountancy Europe responds to EFRAG’S VSME market acceptance survey Accountancy Europe has responded to the VSME market acceptance survey, launched on 2 October by EFRAG, the group that advises the European Commission on financial and sustainability reporting. The survey aimed to assess the current level of awareness, use and acceptance of the VSME standard. In its response, Accountancy Europe identified free-to-use full reporting software at a national level as being helpful for SMEs, and recommended that more awareness raising/promotional activities at the national level directed at both preparers and users could help foster the market acceptance of the VSME. Public hearing on "Clean industrial deal and Energy Taxation Directive" The Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will hold a public hearing entitled “Tax aspects of the clean industrial deal and the revision of the energy taxation directive” on 20 November 2025. The aim of the hearing is to understand how the taxation measures taken to support the EU’s decarbonisation goals in the Clean Industry Deal can affect the taxation of energy and the current negotiations on the revised Energy Taxation Directive. In particular, the implementation of energy taxes that support electrification and avoid incentivising the use of fossil fuels will be under the spotlight. WORLD OECD reports on effective carbon rates and global corporate sustainability The OECD has published a report Effective Carbon Rates 2025: Recent Trends in Taxes on Energy Use and Carbon Pricing as part of its series on Carbon Pricing and Energy Taxation. The report presents 2023 data on how countries are using carbon taxes, emissions trading systems and fuel excise taxes, with selected updates through 2025. Covering 79 countries that together account for 82 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the report places particular emphasis on emissions trading systems, and takes stock of recent policy developments, offering policymakers, stakeholders and analysts a reliable point of reference and a basis for policy reform enquiries. Separately the OECD has published its Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2025, providing insights on how companies are implementing the sustainability-related recommendations of the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance. These recommendations cover disclosure, shareholder-company dialogue, board responsibilities, and stakeholder engagement. This edition features an in-depth analysis of the energy sector, assessing emission reduction targets, executive compensation, and capital expenditures and investments in green research and development. IFAC seeks volunteer members The Nominating Committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has launched a global search for volunteer members to serve on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB), an independent standard-setting body that develops and maintains accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standards (IPSASB SRS), and other high-quality reporting guidance for use by governments and public sector entities worldwide. The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from a wide range of relevant backgrounds and experience, such as strong knowledge of financial or sustainability reporting issues. The deadline for submitting applications is January 31, 2026 and the Call for Nominations has more details and information on how to submit an application. Nature Action 100 releases its first status report showcasing initiative progress and investor insights The global investor-led engagement initiative Nature Action 100 has published its first status report, highlighting the progress made by the initiative since its 2022 launch. The Nature Action 100 Status Report features key insights and case studies from investor participants who are engaging companies on nature action. The growth in the number of investor participants to over 240 representing more than $30 trillion assets under management or advice underscores the growing interest by investors to acknowledge the financial materiality of nature and biodiversity loss and engage companies to capitalize on new business opportunities and mitigate financial risks. A conservative estimate pins the economic cost of nature loss across Nature Action 100’s eight priority sectors – including food, forestry and packaging, and chemicals – at $430 billion per year globally, representing a cumulative loss of $2.15 trillion over five years if left unchecked. Articles ISSB to Develop Standards for Nature-Related Reporting (ESG Today) TNFD to Pause New Work After ISSB Takes Over Nature Reporting Standard Setting (ESG Today) No, Bill Gates, we don’t have to choose between people & planet (commentary) (Mongabay) What the booming net zero sector means for accountants (ICAEW Insights) Young female workers paid 31% less than male counterparts (Irish Examiner) Hybrid working could help get more disabled people into work, peers say (The Guardian) EU to hit Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu with customs duties (The Journal) Fossil fuel dependence ‘is Ireland’s biggest block’ to achieving carbon emissions cuts - ‘Expensive’ fossil fuels subsidised by €4.7bn of taxpayers’ money as Climate Change Advisory Council warns over ‘harmful use’ (Irish Times) Limits of heavy-load transport will hit electricity supplies, hauliers warn (Irish Times)   Jobs Financial Services - Climate Change and Sustainability Services - Senior Consultant (EY) Technical Roundup (From our colleagues in Professional Accounting) Following on from its “VSME in Action” event held on 6 October, EFRAG have released a summary of the event containing an event report, recordings and slides. Following its recent response to EFRAG’s Exposure Draft on the amended European Sustainability Reporting Standards, Accountancy Europe has shared some of its thoughts and key suggestions in relation to the proposed amendments. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has issued its October 2025 update. Following the rejection of the simplified rules for sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations in the EU Parliament on 22 October, MEP’s will again vote on amendments at the upcoming Plenary Session on 13 November.   Events Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Responsible Business Compass This kick-off event, developed with the OECD and funded by the European Commission, will explore the evolving responsible business regulatory landscape and introduce the Responsible Business Compass — a tool designed to help businesses, especially SMEs, better understand their obligations and reduce administrative burden. In-person, 19 November 2025, 9:30am–5:00pm (registration and networking from 9:00am), 15 George’s Quay, Dublin 2 iQuest / Business Post Live, ESG Summit Autumn 2025 This ESG Summit will explore how sustainability is becoming central to business strategy. With a focus on regulatory shifts, climate transition planning, ESG data governance, and nature-positive outcomes, the event brings together business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals to share insights and practical strategies. In-person, 20 November 2025, 8:45am–5:00pm, Croke Park, Dublin Business in the Community Ireland, Launch of Ireland’s First Climate Transition Plan Scorecard BITCI, in partnership with DCU Institute for Climate and Society, will launch Ireland’s first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard. The Scorecard assesses corporate climate plans across nine key areas and is part of BITCI’s Accelerate campaign. In-person, 20 November 2025, 3:00pm–4:00pm (wine reception until 5:00pm), Sky Suite, Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Network for Chartered Accountants working in ESG This informal network offers Chartered Accountants working in ESG/Sustainability a space to connect, share insights, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the field. Members working on ESG-related projects are encouraged to join and contribute to the conversation. Online, 19 November 2025, 2:00pm–3:00pm, Email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie to join IBEC, Preparing for Severe Weather Events Severe weather conditions can cause major disruption to roads, bus or train infrastructure and therefore, the operation of your business. In this webinar, Dr. Michael Gillen, Head of OSH Policy will review the key points to consider, practical steps and control measures you can put in place. Virtual, 26 November 11:00 - 11:45 InterTradeIreland, Trade Series: Understanding ESG & Sustainability This free webinar will help businesses understand ESG principles, sustainability strategies, and practical steps for compliance and growth. It will cover reporting requirements, risk management, and opportunities for SMEs. Gain practical insights into how ESG and sustainability practices can help your business remain competitive, compliant, and future-ready, as well as an overview of emerging ESG and Sustainability reporting requirements. Online, Wednesday 26 November 2025, 11:00am–12:30pm EY, Four Futures: Exploring Climate Scenarios This immersive workshop invites people to step into the year 2055 and explore four distinct climate scenarios—Business As Usual, Transform, Constrain, and Collapse. Enhanced by the CCaSS team, this updated iteration incorporates the latest insights on climate impacts in Ireland. Participants will dive deeper into key drivers of climate change and examine how Business As Usual and Transform scenarios affect society, business, and the economy. EY Offices, Harcourt Street, Dublin, , D02 YA40, Friday 28 November – Friday 5 December 2025 Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University,  SMEs - Learning about Nature and Biodiversity This is the first in a series of three free webinars from the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business aimed at SMEs curious about nature and biodiversity links to business activity. This session provides a natural science introduction to ecosystems and explains how these aspects impact business operations, with examples from different sectors. Virtual, Thursday 15 January 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, Starting Your Journey with Tools and Frameworks Second in the series, this webinar explores tools and frameworks that support decision-making for nature and biodiversity, including the Natural Capital Protocol and TNFD. Learn how these approaches help businesses identify relevant priorities and communicate outcomes effectively. Virtual, Thursday 12 February 2026, 8:00am – 9: 00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, What Does ‘Good’ Look Like in Corporate Reporting? The final session in the Pentland Centre’s free webinar series for SMEs explores what effective reporting on nature and biodiversity looks like. Drawing on global examples, this webinar highlights best practices and practical approaches for integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate reporting. Virtual, Thursday 12 March 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm   Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.