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Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. In her new book, Doing Good Business: How to Build Sustainable Value, UL Associate Professor Sheila Killian sets out the core pillars of what it means to be a truly sustainable business. She discusses the fast-changing responsibilities of business, the emergence of sustainable and profitable business models, and how climate change and human rights affect all companies, large and small. Doing Good Business provides guidance on the principles of sustainability, related reporting, community engagement, governance, and employee issues as well as environmental initiatives.  Find out more in our bookshop.  

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read how the Irish Government earned a C+ on progress against its climate and environmental commitments under the Programme for Government. Also covered is the increased calls for Government support for climate literacy for businesses, the publication of legislation addressing energy-sector windfall profits, the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Delegation planned for One Young World Summit in Belfast, and the usual roundup of technical updates, articles, resources and events. C+ for Irish Government on climate progress Ireland has been given an overall C+ grade by leading Irish academics for making only ‘moderate progress’ on the climate and environmental commitments in its Programme for Government. The grade was given as part of a project commissioned by the Friends of the Earth Ireland, which marked the Government out of 10 in nine key subject areas. For the first time, key commitments in the ‘Climate’, ‘Nature & Biodiversity’ and ‘Drinking & Waste Water’ categories were identified as in danger of not being achieved during the Government’s term. Calls for Government supports for climate literacy among businesses The report from March 2023’s National Youth Assembly on Climate has recommended, among other things, that the Government supports businesses that make efforts to repair and reuse products, introduces a climate education programme for all ages, and develops a cohesive media and communications strategy around climate action. Recommendations from the report, which published this week, will be considered for inclusion in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024.   The Climate Conversation 2022, also published this week, finds that the public believe that businesses and enterprises have an important role to play in delivering climate action. It also finds that the public, while supporting stronger regulations on emissions and stricter reporting requirements, largely feel that companies – particularly SMEs – require increased support from the Government to improve their climate literacy and reduce emissions. Legislation addressing energy-sector windfall profits publishes The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D., has announced the publication of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill. This Bill provides for a cap on the market revenues generated by non-gas generators in the wholesale electricity market between 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2023 inclusive, as set out in Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854. The estimated proceeds, which are in the range €80 - €150 million, will be retained and used in the electricity sector to provide financial supports to households and businesses affected by high energy prices. The Bill contains the timelines under which companies are required to make formal declarations and payments to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU): 30 November (submission of formal declaration) and 31 December 2023 (payment). ­Empower Change: Meet the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Delegation heading to Belfast for this year’s One Young World Summit Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) is sending its annual global delegation to the One Young World summit, which takes place this year from 2 – 5 October in Belfast. Every year, member institutes of CAW run competitions to select their #CharteredStar to represent them – and CAW – at the summit.  Ireland’s Chartered Star, Peter Gillen will join young leaders of tomorrow to learn how to drive progress within their communities and workplaces, listen to inspirational speakers and broaden their international networks, connecting with global visionaries. Technical updates On 2 August, IAASB issued the proposed, landmark International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, for public consultation. This, when approved, will be the most comprehensive sustainability assurance standard available to all assurance practitioners across the globe, applying to sustainability information reported about any appropriate sustainability matter and prepared under any suitable framework. It will also apply for both limited and reasonable assurance engagements. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Lab has published a new report: ESG Data Distribution and Consumption, examining how investors obtain and use environmental, social and governance. It has also published a thematic review, assessing the quality and maturity of climate-related metrics and targets disclosures. The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has announced its endorsement of the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) Standards. Did you know? Ireland’s second SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Week is taking place this year from 23 September to 1 October. SDG Week forms part of the wider European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) which this year, will run from 18 September – 8 October. Resources Chartered Accountants Ireland has issued a Q&A on the CSRD and the ESRSs with information about the Directive and the Standards, and when and how members may be impacted. Jobs Group Sustainability Reporting Manager - Glenveagh Properties plc, Maynooth, County Kildare. Articles ESG for SMEs: government launches climate advice hub (ICAEW) What did you miss in ESG this summer? (ESG Clarity) How to embrace the climate conscious worker (Irish Times) Summer 2023 Was the Hottest on Record Globally, New Figures Show (Bloomberg Green Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting Classes start Wednesday 5 October Following four sellout sittings, our Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting for accountants is back again in October 2023. Over 8 weeks, you'll cover key reporting frameworks and metrics, and learn to address the ESG opportunities and challenges that organisations already face. Upcoming events   Dublin Chamber – Sustainability Academy Workshops Dublin Chamber has announced it will offer Sustainability Academy workshops in Autumn. Beginning with a workshop on Sustainability/ESG 101 in September, the 3-hour Zoom workshops includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Find out more here. Online, September 2023 InterTrade Ireland: The Shared Island Fund – Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiatives Funding opportunity Virtual, 14 September, 10:00 - 11:00. Environment Ireland’s: Environment Conference In person: 14–15 September,  Croke Park, Dublin Business Post LIVE/iQuest: Energy Transition Summit In person: 19 September, Croke Park, Dublin ESDN: European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2023 18 September – 08 October. 113 initiatives in 10 countries. Chartered Accountants Ireland Virtual CPD Update – Career Progression and Transition (ROI/NI) Morning plenary session followed afternoon sessions, run and delivered by the District Societies, including the Western Society session on Sustainability and ESG Reporting (Catherine Duggan, Orla Carolan, Peter Gillen, Susan Rossney). Irish Museum of Modern Art: EARTH RISING Four-day festival of free events and experiences aimed at addressing the climate crisis and aiming to provoke, empower and inspire collective action in audiences to become agents of change for a sustainable and hopeful future.~ In person: 21–24 September, IMMA site, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31. DETE: Building Better Businesses North-East Event, Dundalk Institute of Technology The latest in the series of Building Better Business events organised by DETE across the country to help businesses focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the green economy and digital transformation. This event is open to businesses based in the North East. In person: 22 September, 9.00 - 1.00 -  Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), Faulkner Building, Dundalk Institute of Technology. EPA: Circular Economy Conference This hybrid event will be an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the circular economy and the opportunities and challenges in implementing a circular economy in Ireland. There will be opportunities to network and participate in polling and Q&A sessions. In person: 27 September, The Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Green Team Network: ESG Networking Breakfast An intensive session tailored for Ireland's industry leaders seeking to understand and act upon the financial implications of climate change, this event aims to bridge the gap between climate financial risk and sustainability education. In person: 27 Sept, 08:00 – 9:45, Dean Hotel, 33 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 2, Ireland Women in Business (Northern Ireland) Women in Finance Women in Business is running a wide-ranging programme of female entrepreneurship events over the upcoming months. The events include sectoral networking, webinars, and training courses for essential skills. A specific session on women in finance will focus on work in finance departments, small scale accountancy or work for yourself, both members and non-members are welcome to join this online event. Virtual: 25 October, 10.00-11.30am Sustainable Finance Skillnet is offering funded training opportunities until October 2023 to Irish employees in the financial services sector at 30 percent of course fees (with 70 percent funding available for members of the International Sustainable Finance Centre of Excellence). Virtual: September-October 2023 Accountancy Europe: Preparing for high-quality sustainability assurance engagements In person: 3 October, 14.00-17.00, ACE events - Av. d'Auderghem 22, 1040 Brussels Climate Finance Week Ireland 2023 In person and virtual: Monday, 20 November – Friday, 24 November Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. 3rd or 4th Wednesday of every month Next: 27 September 2023  14.00-15.00/30 Teams If you would like to attend please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie   You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.    

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read how nature may become ‘the new climate’ for financial institutions, a public consultation on ‘value factors’ for natural capital, and the public consultation on Northern Ireland’s carbon emissions, as well as the usual roundup of articles, resources and events. Nature as the new climate Nature could be the new climate for the world’s biggest financial institutions. While most financial firms are reportedly failing to see how the natural world impacts their business, this could change as the impacts of nature on profits becomes increasingly clear. The Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published  a high-level scoping study exploring the case for a global nature-related public data facility. Read more. ‘Value factors’ for natural capital – consultation The Value Commission has launched a public consultation for the co-design and development of transparent global criteria for the creation and the use of value factors for natural capital and other types of capital. Hosted by Capitals Coalition, the Value Commission is a time bound three-year, collaborative project, bringing together commissioners from around the world, including members from Ireland’s INCASE, to drive transparency and accountability across the application and use of these 'value factors'. They are used by businesses for the measurement of the flow of services that come from nature, to interpret that information across their operations for insights on their impacts and dependencies. The consultation closes in October - read more from Natural Capital Ireland. Public consultation on Northern Ireland’s emissions targets The first of three public consultation sessions on Northern Ireland’s Carbon Budgets was hosted this week by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). This in-person and online event aimed to provide an opportunity for people to contribute on how the threats presented by climate change should be tackled. The findings from this, and the subsequent consultation sessions, will set an agreed carbon budget and targets, and will help inform Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan.  Did you know? Edgbaston is to stage first sustainable cricket match, with the Men’s Vitality IT20 to be the UK’s first climate conscious international cricket match.  Meanwhile, the organisers of the Rugby World Cup are attempting to stop the release of a Greenpeace video, featuring an Irish comedian, satirising the event’s oil company sponsor. Resources The Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability Glossary has been updated to include nature positive. This is the term used to describe a world where nature – species and ecosystems – is being restored and is regenerating rather than declining. Jobs Group Sustainability Reporting Manager - Glenveagh Properties plc, Maynooth, County Kildare. Articles Shell and BP among firms accused of greenwashing over renewable energy (Belfast Telegraph) Head to head: Does retrofitting your home pay off? (Irish Times) Upcoming events   Dublin Chamber: The Future of Sustainable Finance  The latest event in our Dublin 2050 series. Dublin has been steadily growing its reputation as a hub for sustainable finance in recent times, making significant progress in advancing sustainable finance practices and attracting investments aligned with ESG principles. This expert panel-led event aims to contribute to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation within the business community. In person, 5 September, 8.30 – 10.00. Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Dublin Chamber – Sustainability Academy Workshops Dublin Chamber has announced it will offer Sustainability Academy workshops in Autumn. Beginning with a workshop on Sustainability/ESG 101 in September, the 3-hour Zoom workshops includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Find out more here. Online, September 2023 InterTrade Ireland: The Shared Island Fund – Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiatives Funding opportunity Virtual, 14 September, 10:00 - 11:00. Environment Ireland’s: Environment Conference In person: 14–15 September,  Croke Park, Dublin Business Post LIVE/iQuest: Energy Transition Summit In person: 19 September, Croke Park, Dublin ESDN: European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2023 18 September – 08 October. 113 initiatives in 10 countries. Chartered Accountants Ireland Virtual CPD Update – Career Progression and Transition (ROI/NI) Morning plenary session followed afternoon sessions, run and delivered by the District Societies, including the Western Society session on Sustainability and ESG Reporting (Catherine Duggan, Orla Carolan, Peter Gillen, Susan Rossney). Irish Museum of Modern Art: EARTH RISING Four-day festival of free events and experiences aimed at addressing the climate crisis and aiming to provoke, empower and inspire collective action in audiences to become agents of change for a sustainable and hopeful future. In person: 21–24 September, IMMA site, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31. DETE: Building Better Businesses North-East Event, Dundalk Institute of Technology The latest in the series of Building Better Business events organised by DETE across the country to help businesses focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the green economy and digital transformation. This event is open to businesses based in the North East. In person: 22 September, 9.00 - 1.00 -  Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), Faulkner Building, Dundalk Institute of Technology. EPA: Circular Economy Conference This hybrid event will be an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the circular economy and the opportunities and challenges in implementing a circular economy in Ireland. There will be opportunities to network and participate in polling and Q&A sessions. In person: 27 September, The Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Women in Business (Northern Ireland) Women in Finance Women in Business is running a wide-ranging programme of female entrepreneurship events over the upcoming months. The events include sectoral networking, webinars, and training courses for essential skills. A specific session on women in finance will focus on work in finance departments, small scale accountancy or work for yourself, both members and non-members are welcome to join this online event. Virtual: 25 October, 10.00-11.30am Sustainable Finance Skillnet is offering funded training opportunities until October 2023 to Irish employees in the financial services sector at 30 percent of course fees (with 70 percent funding available for members of the International Sustainable Finance Centre of Excellence). Virtual: September-October 2023 Accountancy Europe: Preparing for high-quality sustainability assurance engagements In person: 3 October, 14.00-17.00, ACE events - Av. d'Auderghem 22, 1040 Brussels Climate Finance Week Ireland 2023 In person and virtual: Monday, 20 November – Friday, 24 November Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. 3rd or 4th Wednesday of every month Next: 27 September 2023  14.00-15.00/30 Teams If you would like to attend please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie   You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.    

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about ‘green and social considerations’ in public procurement, new funding for bioeconomy initiatives and requests for input on the ongoing consultation on Ireland’s charging network. In addition, we provide updates on Pre-Seed Start Fund applications, the Irish Sovereign Green Bond (ISGB),  European Commission updates on CBAM and sustainable forest management, and the usual roundup of articles, resources and events. ‘Green and social considerations’ in public procurement The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and the sector procurement bodies in Education, Health, Defence, and Local Government have established 150 central buying arrangements across 16 main categories of expenditure, according to a Memorandum for Government to Cabinet published this week. The Memorandum outlines plans to promote the increased use of centralised procurement arrangements across the civil and public service. In addition to aggregating the buying power of the State and avoiding duplication of effort by public service bodies and suppliers, these solutions allow for the mainstreaming of green and social considerations into public procurement. A Circular, provisionally scheduled for publication in early 2024, will be issued to all public bodies focusing on Government’s procurement policy regarding the use of central procurement arrangements.  New €10 million bioeconomy funding initiative announced €10 million has been announced for a 2023 Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative under the EU Just Transition Fund, aiming to support close collaboration between stakeholders along the bio-based value chain (including SMEs, research-performing organisations, local authorities, and others). Applications must be submitted online through Application Submission Portal of Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (flexigrant.com) by 13 October 2023. Consultation on Ireland’s charging network ongoing The Minister for Transport intends to publish Universal Design Guidelines for Ireland’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in December 2023. The Department of Transport is inviting everyone to have their say by completing this public survey accompanying the draft Guidelines. The guidelines propose key recommendations to ensure universal access to EV charging infrastructure. The closing date for taking part in the public consultation is 5pm on Tuesday, September 26 2023. Enterprise Ireland ‘particularly interested’ in solutions to climate crisis in Pre-Seed Start Fund applications Enterprise Ireland has announced it is ‘particularly interested’ in receiving applications from start-ups with solutions to address challenges and opportunities regarding climate action with an emphasis on decarbonisation, including but not exclusive to renewables, carbon capture technology, innovations in buildings and transport applications and sustainable materials. The announcement was made as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney, T.D., invited early-stage businesses to apply for Enterprise Ireland Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) which supports the critical early needs of new start-up companies. The fund, which will provide up to €100,000, is open to innovative start-ups in all sectors, with a focus on manufacturing, life-sciences, food and renewables sectors. NTMA announces publication of the Irish Sovereign Green Bond (ISGB) Allocation Report for 2022 and the Impact Report for 2021 The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) earlier this month announced the publication of the Irish Sovereign Green Bond (ISGB) Allocation Report for 2022 and the Impact Report for 2021 (available here). Over €3 million was allocated to eligible green projects in 2021 and 2022. Since the launch in 2018 of the Irish Sovereign Green Bond (which is designed to provide investors with the financial features of standard Irish government bonds combined with sovereign green bond market practices), over €10,787.8 million proceeds has been allocated. This is the fourth Impact Report issued in accordance with the ISGB Framework, and it details the environmental impact measures connected with the 2021 Allocation Report. It is spread across the six eligible green categories: Built Environment/Energy Efficiency; Clean Transportation; Climate Change Adaptation; Environmentally Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources and Land Use; Renewable Energy; Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management. European Commission updates: CBAM and sustainable forest management The European Commission has adopted the rules governing the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) during its transitional phase, which starts on 1 October of this year and runs until the end of 2025. During the transitional phase, traders will only have to report on the emissions embedded in their imports subject to the mechanism without paying any financial adjustment. This is to give adequate time for businesses to prepare in a predictable manner, while also allowing for the definitive methodology to be fine-tuned by 2026. Separately, the European Commission has approved a €45 million Irish scheme to support sustainable forest management. The scheme, which will run until 31 December 2027 and will be open to companies of all sizes in the forestry sector. The scheme will be in the form of direct grants, covering up to 100 percent of the eligible costs, to support landowners to implement economically, ecologically and socially sustainable forest management and use techniques to promote the growth of forests, protect biodiversity, soil and water quality and the forest landscape, adapt forests to climate change, and increase the ability of forests to store carbon. Resources The updated Climate Essentials for Accountants guide demystifies the vocabulary of climate action and introduces accountants to jargon that they will hear with increasing frequency over the coming months and years. Articles ESG for SMEs: how to adapt your finance function (ICAEW) Campaigners threaten EU with legal action over climate policy (RTÉ News) BlackRock’s support for climate and social resolutions falls sharply (FT)   Jobs Group Sustainability Reporting Manager - Glenveagh Properties plc,  Maynooth, County Kildare. Upcoming events  Dublin Chamber: The Future of Sustainable Finance  The latest event in our Dublin 2050 series. Dublin has been steadily growing its reputation as a hub for sustainable finance in recent times, making significant progress in advancing sustainable finance practices and attracting investments aligned with ESG principles. This expert panel-led event aims to contribute to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation within the business community. In person, 5 September, 8.30 – 10.00. Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Dublin Chamber – Sustainability Academy Workshops Dublin Chamber has announced it will offer Sustainability Academy workshops in Autumn. Beginning with a workshop on Sustainability/ESG 101 in September, the 3-hour Zoom workshops includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Find out more here. InterTrade Ireland: The Shared Island Fund – Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiatives Funding opportunity Virtual, 14 September, 10:00 - 11:00. Environment Ireland’s: Environment Conference In person: 14–15 September,  Croke Park, Dublin Business Post LIVE/iQuest: Energy Transition Summit In person: 19 September, Croke Park, Dublin ESDN: European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2023 18 September – 08 October. 113 initiatives in 10 countries. DETE: Building Better Businesses North-East Event, Dundalk Institute of Technology The latest in the series of Building Better Business events organised by DETE across the country to help businesses focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the green economy and digital transformation. This event is open to businesses based in the North East. In person: 22 September, 9.00 - 1.00 -  Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), Faulkner Building, Dundalk Institute of Technology. EPA: Circular Economy Conference This hybrid event will be an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the circular economy and the opportunities and challenges in implementing a circular economy in Ireland. There will be opportunities to network and participate in polling and Q&A sessions. Women in Business (Northern Ireland) Women in Finance Women in Business is running a wide-ranging programme of female entrepreneurship events over the upcoming months. The events include sectoral networking, webinars, and training courses for essential skills. On 25 October 2023, 10am to 11:30am, a specific session on women in finance will focus on work in finance departments, small scale accountancy or work for yourself, both members and non-members are welcome to join this online event. Accountancy Europe: Preparing for high-quality sustainability assurance engagements In person: 3 October, 14.00-17.00, ACE events - Av. d'Auderghem 22, 1040 Brussels Climate Finance Week Ireland 2023 In person and virtual: Monday, 20 November – Friday, 24 November Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. 3rd or 4th Wednesday of every month Next: 30 August 2023  14.00-15.00/30 Teams If you would like to attend please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie   You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.

The Institute has today published a new Technical Alert 'Technical Alert 05 2023 - Questions and answers on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards'. The Technical Alert provides members with some information about the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and explains when and how members may be impacted by it. The CSRD is an EU Directive requiring certain companies to disclose information on their sustainability-related impacts. The directive aims to modernise and strengthen the rules about the type of environmental, social and governance (ESG) information that companies will have to report. Alongside the CSRD, the European Sustainability Reporting Standards have been developed, under which companies who are subject to the CSRD will have to report. On 31 July, the European Commission adopted the ESRS and they will come into force following their publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The first entities will report under the CSRD and ESRS for periods commencing on or after 1 January 2024.    

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about the launch of Ireland’s second SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Week. Also covered is the public consultation on Ireland’s second National Plan on Business and Human Rights, funding for female entrepreneurs in rural areas in Ireland and for UK SMEs working on innovative decarbonisation projects, the launch of the new UK Business Climate Hub and Net Zero business sector roadmaps, as well as the usual roundup of articles, resources and events. Ireland launches second SDG Week The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has announced Ireland’s second SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Week. The UN SDGs work towards ambitions such as an end to poverty, sustainable economic development, protection of the environment, access to health and education services, gender equality, peaceful societies, and decent work. Ireland’s SDG Week, from 23 September to 1 October, forms part of the wider European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) which this year will run from 18 September to 8 October, and which last year saw over 7,000 events taking place across 24 countries, with over 100 events held across Ireland. The SDG week is open to all businesses, individuals, groups, schools and colleges, and institutions, to take part in or organise events, or highlight an activity or project that promotes sustainable development.   Consultation on Ireland’s second National Plan on Business and Human Rights The Department of Foreign Affairs is calling for views on the development of Ireland’s second National Plan on Business and Human Rights. The new National Plan aims to support Ireland’s implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, a set of guidelines developed by the UN Special Representative on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. Commenting, Dara Calleary, Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, TD, said: “Consumers, employees, investors and shareholders, as well as the wider public rightly expect companies to do business in a sustainable and responsible manner. Companies who embrace and protect human rights are at a competitive advantage and ultimately will add value in the long term.” Written submissions can be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs at bhrconsultation@dfa.ie until 8 September 2023. Funding for female entrepreneurs in rural areas The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is calling on female entrepreneurs in rural areas to apply for the 50 places available in this year’s ACORNS programme, a free business development programme for early-stage female entrepreneurs based in rural Ireland. Ireland's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls can be found here. Increase in landfill levy from 1 September The Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, TD, has signed new regulations which introduce a waste recovery levy of €10 per tonne (or 1,000kg), and a €10 increase to the existing ‘landfill levy’ to €85 per tonne. The new regulations will come into effect on 1 September 2023 and both householders and businesses are encouraged to manage the impact of the charge by maximising the amount of material they place in the mixed dry recyclable and bio-waste (brown) bin. See www.mywaste.ie  for more. Funding announced for UK SMEs working on innovative decarbonisation projects Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation has announced a user-focused design competition – Net Zero Living – in which it will work with micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to invest up to £3.8 million in innovation projects to support the net zero agenda. Total grant funding request must be between £50,000 and £100,000 and the closing date for applications is 11am on Wednesday 4 October 2023. Funding is also being offered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for stream 3 of its Artificial Intelligence for Decarbonisation innovation programme. This aims to fund innovative AI approaches that will address critical challenges in decarbonisation, with a total of £2.25 million of grant funding available across several categories. The deadline for applications to stream of this competition is 2pm, 10 October 2023. New UK Business Climate Hub launches A new UK Business Climate Hub has launched to provide net zero advice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. The hub will provided businesses with access to new advice and support to reduce their energy bills and cut their carbon emissions. The Hub has been developed with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the SME Climate Hub and the UK’s main business organisations, energy networks, high street banks and professional bodies. UK’s Net Zero Council publishes Net zero business sector roadmap The UK’s Net Zero Council, a high-level government forum which aims to support industry to help cut emissions and develop greener practices, has developed a framework to help businesses create tailored action plans to reduce emissions across their sector. The Net zero business sector roadmap guidelines is a set of criteria that all business sector roadmaps should meet to ensure they can effectively reduce emissions and call for: 1. A credible pathway aligned to HMG’s Net Zero Strategy; 2. Robust delivery plan and structures; 3. Collaboration on barriers, gaps and dependencies, and 4. Independent assessment of roadmaps to ensure credibility. Did you know? Invest Northern Ireland is offering free Sustainability Reports for Northern Ireland businesses with annual energy and resource spend of more than £30,000 (this could include the combined value of heating, electricity, water, waste disposal or raw material billings). The reports are an assessment and understanding of businesses’ environmental performance across areas, such as raw materials, energy, carbon, packaging, biodiversity and waste. Resources The updated Climate Essentials for Accountants guide demystifies the vocabulary of climate action and introduces accountants to jargon that they will hear with increasing frequency over the coming months and years. Podcasts Inside the industry that made climate denial work – true clime and climate change (Zero from Bloomberg) ISSB standards, E-Commerce Trade Commission, and CPD update (ICAEW Insights) Articles What Accountants Need to Know about Carbon Offsets (IFAC) ESG for SMEs: what if you do nothing? (ICAEW) IFAC Calls on G20 Leaders to Lead on Sustainable and Inclusive Growth; Highlights Enabling Role of Accountancy Profession (IFAC) Climate change contributing to inflation - Norway fund boss (RTÉ) Another Irish record for wind generation set in July (Irish Examiner) Judge rules in favour of youths accusing Montana state of violating right to clean environment (The Journal)  Jobs Group Sustainability Reporting Manager - Glenveagh Properties plc,  Maynooth, County Kildare. Upcoming events  Dublin Chamber: The Future of Sustainable Finance  The latest event in our Dublin 2050 series. Dublin has been steadily growing its reputation as a hub for sustainable finance in recent times, making significant progress in advancing sustainable finance practices and attracting investments aligned with ESG principles. This expert panel-led event aims to contribute to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation within the business community. In person, 5 September, 8.30 – 10.00. Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Dublin Chamber – Sustainability Academy Workshops Dublin Chamber has announced it will offer Sustainability Academy workshops in Autumn. Beginning with a workshop on Sustainability/ESG 101 in September, the 3-hour Zoom workshops includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Find out more here. InterTrade Ireland: The Shared Island Fund – Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiatives Funding opportunity Virtual, 14 September, 10:00 - 11:00. Environment Ireland’s: Environment Conference In person: 14–15 September,  Croke Park, Dublin Business Post LIVE/iQuest: Energy Transition Summit In person: 19 September, Croke Park, Dublin ESDN: European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2023 18 September – 08 October. 113 initiatives in 10 countries. DETE: Building Better Businesses North-East Event, Dundalk Institute of Technology The latest in the series of Building Better Business events organised by DETE across the country to help businesses focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the green economy and digital transformation. This event is open to businesses based in the North East. In person: 22 September, 9.00 - 1.00 -  Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), Faulkner Building, Dundalk Institute of Technology. Climate Finance Week Ireland 2023 In person and virtual: Monday, 20 November – Friday, 24 November Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. 3rd or 4th Wednesday of every month Next: 23 August 2023  14.00-15.00/30 Teams If you would like to attend please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie   You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.