In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin read about EV fleet assessment grants, a UN progress report on Ireland by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the UK survey identifying growth in the number of mid-tier UK firms planning to offer ESG-related services, and the launch by the European Commission of a Roadmap towards Nature Credits. Also covered is the rise in climate litigation and the publication of ‘investor explainer’ on climate policy engagement disclosure, as well as the usual resources, articles, and upcoming events.

Ireland

Final Update Report on White Paper on Enterprise Implementation publishes

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., has launched the fourth and final Update Report on the White Paper on Enterprise Implementation Plan, marking the conclusion of a two-year implementation period that began in 2023. The report showcases the progress made across 40 strategic initiatives underpinned by 93 activities. Among sustainability initiatives mentioned was the implementation of Ireland’s Offshore Wind Strategy, ‘Powering Prosperity’, and €312.6 million approved under the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will now commence the development of ‘Enterprise 2035’, the new enterprise strategy set out in the 2025 Programme for Government for enterprise growth and job creation over the coming decade.

EV fleet assessment grant

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has published details of its EV Fleet Assessment Grant. The grant, which offers up to €8,000 to Irish businesses aiming to transition their vehicle fleets, also funds a professional assessment that reviews a company’s current fleet, recommends suitable vehicles for electrification, and outlines necessary charging infrastructure. Eligible applicants include SMEs, large industries, and semi-state bodies with fleets of at least five vehicles, while public sector bodies are excluded.

Climate Conversations 2025 consultation open

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has opened its Climate Conversations 2025 Consultation, which invites people across Ireland to share their views on climate action and how it impacts their daily lives. It aims to gather public input to shape future climate policies and ensure a fair and inclusive transition to a low-carbon society. The consultation is open until 22 September 2025 and is part of Ireland’s broader National Dialogue on Climate Action.

UN progress report on Elimination of Discrimination against Women in Ireland

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, T.D., has welcomed the publication of the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) progress report on Ireland. This report acknowledged positive measures in gender equality which aimed to promote women’s leadership and address systemic barriers since 2017, such as the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021, and the National Strategy for Women and Girls.  It also highlighted areas needing further improvement. Ireland reaffirmed its dedication to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and plans further engagement with civil society and human rights bodies.

CSO publishes full set of ‘ecosystem accounts’ for flood control

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published another full set of ecosystem accounts for Ireland.  Ecosystem Accounts – Flood Control Analysis 2025, which published as part of the CSO Frontier Series, focuses on flood control, highlights the importance of natural ecosystems in mitigating flood risks, and quantifies the economic value of these services. The report aims to inform policy decisions by providing data on the benefits of preserving and restoring natural habitats to enhance flood resilience and reduce economic losses from flooding.

UK/Northern Ireland

Survey finds growth in number of mid-tier UK firms planning to offer ESG-related services

The latest edition ofICAEW’s Mid-Tier Evolution research reveals that just under half of firms surveyed were planning to start offering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) related services, compared to only 10 percent in 2024 who at that time saw ESG as a growth opportunity. It also confirmed that access to skills remains a challenge, with close to half of surveyed firms saying it is a barrier to growth. Two-thirds of firms that intend to start offering ESG services are already investing in upskilling staff, and 50 percent are forming partnerships with ESG experts. Two-thirds of the firms that do not plan to offer ESG services said it was due to a lack of sufficient internal expertise and resources. 

EUROPE

European Commission launches Roadmap towards Nature Credits

The European Commission has launched a 'Roadmap towards Nature Credits', to incentivise private investments into actions that protect and preserve nature, and reward those who undertake and invest in these actions. Nature credits represent an investment into nature-positive actions by a company, a financial institution, a public entity or a citizen, which in return can benefit from cleaner ecosystems, risk reduction, improved reputation and higher social acceptability for its projects. The Roadmap aims to develop clear standards and reliable certification for these nature-positive actions to make nature credits effective and trustworthy, while avoiding administrative burden when joining such a scheme. It will also draw on already existing standards.

Accountancy Europe – July Sustainability Update

Accountancy Europe has published the July issue of their Sustainability Update. Highlights include:

• Council of the EU reaches position on Omnibus
• European Parliament latest study on reporting obligations
• European Commission intends withdrawing Green Claims Directive
• Commission extends deadline for EFRAG to deliver technical advice on ESRS
• EFRAG presents its progress on ESRS simplification
• IFRS presents new jurisdictional profiles

WORLD

The UN Global Compact, the voluntary initiative by the United Nations to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies and practices, celebrates its 25th anniversary this month. During a recent webinar Corporate Sustainability in Crisis, co-hosted with CBS Professor Andreas Rasche, Founding Director Georg Kell reflected on the growing complexity and fragmentation shaping today’s global landscape, while reaffirming that the long-term drivers of sustainability—climate risk, social expectations, and shifting market signals—remain as urgent as ever. Kell urged companies to stay grounded in universal values, adapt to local realities, and embrace emerging technologies to drive meaningful impact. For more, you can read Georg’s recent Harvard Business Review article: Corporate Sustainability Is in Crisis. What Should Companies Do Now?

Climate litigation increasingly reaching the highest courts around the world, report finds

Analysis published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science has shown climate litigation is increasingly reaching the highest courts globally. The report – which identified 276 climate-related cases reaching so-called ‘apex courts’ across the world since 2015 – found that more than 80 percent of cases have challenged governments, with two decisions in 2024 ordering state governments in the United States to undertake more ambitious climate action. Commenting, Catherine Higham, Senior Policy Fellow, said that “Governments and companies are increasingly having to consider the legal ramifications of pushing ahead with oil or gas projects, as they risk being dragged through the courts” and that “The broader impacts of climate litigation are becoming increasingly visible and well-documented. It is no longer a niche concern; it is increasingly seen as a financial risk.”   

Investor explainer on climate policy engagement disclosure

The non-profit think-tank InfluenceMap has published an ‘investor explainer’ on climate policy engagement disclosure, to make the case for requiring reporting on corporate climate policy engagement in emerging mandatory disclosure regulations globally. The explainer explained, among other things, that such disclosures help investors to assess climate-related risks and ensure corporate alignment with global climate goals. The report was co-authored with a group of institutional investors at the forefront of efforts towards corporate climate policy engagement reform: BNP Paribas Asset Management (France), Railpen (UK), AkademikerPension (Denmark) and Storebrand (Norway) with a combined $1 trillion of assets under management.

Did you know?

5 - 11 July 2025 is Net Zero Week, the UK's official national awareness week dedicated to all things related to achieving net-zero emissions. It brings together academics, scientists, policy makers and trade associations to discuss how to reach net zero by 2050. This article by InvestNI’s Head of Green Economy focuses on key growth areas for Northern Ireland’s green economy.

Expression of Interest: The Business of Nature Positive, Trinity Business School

Trinity Business School is inviting businesses to participate in undergraduate-/student-led research to trial the application of nature-related reporting frameworks and tools, and to explore ways to develop a roadmap to nature positive.

The project will suit businesses looking to develop a deeper understanding of their impacts and dependencies on nature, and wondering where to start with nature related disclosures.

Interested businesses can complete and submit an expression of interest form here.

(Previous participants included Chartered Accountants Ireland)

Articles

Asset managers will continue to seek out the full picture of a company’s transition readiness, including their lobbying activities (Sustainable Views - FT)

How can businesses change their business model to support biodiversity? (Irish Times)

‘Insets’ are the new offsets (Bloomberg Green)

Media and telecoms can lead the charge in sustainability (Accountancy Ireland – Briefly)

Just the Facts | What is the EU Green Claims Directive? (European Movement Ireland)

How organisations can effectively prepare for the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Accountancy Ireland - Briefly)

Events

CDP Ireland Network Corporate Disclosure In-Person Training and Workshops
Join the CPD Ireland network for training and workshops to support and guide you on completing the 2025 questionnaire. Whether it's your first or fifth time disclosing with us, our CDP Network Ireland Corporate Disclosure in-person training and workshops are for you.  They will be delivered by the team from CDP, supported by Goodbody Clearstream.
In person, AIB Head Office, 10 Molesworth Street D02 W260 Dublin 2 Ireland, Wednesday, July 23 · 10:30am - 4:30pm.

UN Global Compact (Swiss Network) Managing Risks in Supply Chains: When On-Demand Labour Becomes Forced Labour
How does your business model and sourcing strategy cause or contribute to social and environmental risks along your value chain; and how exposed are your business activities to risks embedded in your purchased goods and services?  This series of webinars (convened by the UNGC’s Swiss Network) will take you through innovative approaches to conducting risk assessments and gaining actionable insights that can then be addressed through collaborative, data-driven approaches with measurable results. Using a case study approach the Equiception team will share their experiences in multiple economic sectors and regions of the world with a special focus on decent working conditions, forced labour and child labour. 
Webinar, 28 August 2025 | 12:30-14:00

Business in the Community, Accredited carbon literacy training
This Accredited Carbon Literacy Training session event is hosted by Business in the Community Northern Ireland, and aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to understand and act on climate change, helping organizations reduce their carbon footprint. The training is certified and designed to support sustainability leadership across sectors. 
In person, Wednesday, 3 September 9:00 - 17:00, Craigavon Civic Centre, 66 Lakeview Rd, Craigavon BT64 1AL

ICAEW, Sustainability in Practice
A morning of expert-led discussion, practical exercises, and peer learning—all focused on helping you build and deliver impactful sustainability services.
In person, 3 September, 8.30-12.00, Chartered Accountant Hall, Moorgate Place, London, EC2R6EA

UN Global Compact (Swiss Network) Managing Risks in Supply Chains: Does High Quality Equal Compliance? The case of surgical goods made by children
This is the third and last session of our three-part webinar series on 'Managing Risks in Supply Chains: A Series for Data-Driven Action'. This last session focuses on the case of surgical goods made by children. Are high-quality goods more likely to be produced in high-quality facilities? The value chain of surgical instruments proves otherwise. Children can be found grinding "Made in Germany" scalpels in informal sector workshops in Pakistan. Worse, this situation has been repeatedly exposed over three decades. What can companies learn from this case and how can public and private procurement and sourcing professionals avoid similar risks? 
Webinar, 18 September 2025 | 12:30-14:00 

Diversity Mark, Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2025
This event will explore how diversity and inclusion can drive sustainable business growth, gathering over 300 business leaders, executives, and inclusion advocates for a full-day programme featuring keynote speakers and breakout sessions. It aims to equip attendees with practical strategies to create more inclusive workplaces and foster meaningful change across sectors.
In person, October 2025, Titanic Belfast

Sustainability Centre

You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.