In this week’s sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about Chartered Accountants Ireland planting trees, an event from Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a new Climate Action Framework for Irish commercial semi-States, European Council measures to be introduced to reduce electricity demand and collect and redistribute revenues to customers, new funding for environment and social initiatives in Northern Ireland, and the European Commission’s call on Ireland and 10 other countries to fully transpose the Directive on Single-Use Plastics.
Chartered Accountants Ireland plants Native irish trees
6 Oct was National Tree Day for the Tree Council of Ireland. In recognition of this, Chartered Accountants Ireland has planted a native Irish tree in the name of each speaker at our 2022 Sustainability Conference. Read more.
Chartered Accountants ‘Difference Makers’
Chartered Accountants Worldwide is holding a free ‘Difference Makers Discuss’ global event on October 13, 8-9 am BST. Sustainability: Connecting the Dots will focus on the vital role that Chartered Accountants play in driving positive change on sustainability. Speakers from Australia, South Africa and Singapore include Conservation Capital’s Operations Director Frances Carter FCA, SustainableDNA co-founder Belinda Carreira FCA, and Shian Goh, the Group Finance Director of Goodpack IBC (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The host is Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability Officer Susan Rossney.
At the webinar Chartered Accountants Worldwide will launch a Sustainability Hub. This is a new, global resource dedicated to helping finance and business professionals rise to the challenge of creating a more sustainable future for us all. It will also launch the Sustainability Roadmap for Chartered Accountants, a newly published guide which provides signposts to Chartered Accountants for understanding sustainability and its impact on their work.
New Climate Action Framework for Irish commercial semi-States
The Irish Government has approved a new Climate Action Framework for the commercial semi-State sector (‘the Framework’) which aims to help the sector play a lead role in Ireland’s transition to a carbon neutral economy and society. Read more.
European Council emergency regulation on energy prices explained
A political agreement on a proposal for a Council Regulation to address high energy prices has been agreed by EU energy ministers at an extraordinary energy summit on 30 September. Read more.
Call for evidence from businesses in UK’s Review of Net Zero
The UK’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has commissioned an Independent Review of the government’s approach to the delivery of its net zero target. As part of the review the government has announced a broad call for evidence. This is to give businesses, along with other organisations and the general public, a chance to share their views on the whole economy transition and maximising net zero growth opportunities and more. The consultation will close at 11:45pm on Thursday 27 October 2022.
New funding for environment and social initiatives in Northern Ireland
The Strategic Strand of the Environment Fund has been opened for applications to not-for-profit organisations and councils to deliver projects that deliver key environmental outcomes across Northern Ireland. The maximum amount of Government funding available under the competition will normally be 85 percent of eligible project costs. Closing date for applications is noon on 8 November.
Belfast City Council has launched the Social Economy Incentive Fund which is open to online applications from Belfast-based social enterprises and co-operatives. The maximum amount that can be awarded to an organisation is £10,000. Organisations must apply online by 5pm on 20 October, and shortlisted organisations will be invited to pitch on 11 November to a judging panel comprising local social enterprise stakeholders.
European Commission calls on Ireland to fully transpose Single-Use Plastics Directive
The European Commission has announced it is taking legal steps against 11 Member States, including Ireland, calling on them to step up the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive 2019/904). The Directive aims to prevent and reduce the impact on the environment and human health of certain plastic products that are used for a very short time. It also promotes the transition to a circular economy. Although the Directive was transposed into Irish law in July 2021, Ireland has still not communicated all the measures necessary to ensure the full transposition. Ireland now has two months to respond and take the necessary measures, or the Commission may decide to refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Did you know?
- Ireland will hold its first Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss in October. It will bring together 35 randomly selected members aged 7-17 from across Ireland to explore, discuss and create recommendations on how to protect and restore biodiversity in Ireland.
- Award-winning social enterprise, Change by Degrees, which delivers strategic sustainability advice, employee engagement & specialised sustainability communications has set up a ‘Climate Club’ to help professionals become sustainability leaders. Topics that will be covered by Climate Club will include understanding Net Zero targets, how to develop a Sustainability Strategy, upcoming EU & UK Sustainability Legislation, and more. Here is link to their 30-minute Net Zero for Business webinar on 29 September.
Upcoming events
- Natural Capital Summit - A Practical Guide to Disclosure and Reporting, 13 October, Register Practical Guide to Disclosure and Reporting
- 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as ‘COP27’, Sharm El Sheikh, 6 - 18 November 2022.
- ‘Biodiversity’ COP15 Part 2, 7-19 December
You can find information, guidance and supports to help members understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.