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The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has issued its proposed International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements. This proposed standard will now undergo a consultation period running until 1 December 2023 and stakeholders are encouraged to respond and share their feedback to the proposed standard. ISSA 5000 is a principles-based, overarching standard suitable for both limited and reasonable assurance engagements on sustainability information reported across any sustainability topic. It is intended to work with various sustainability reporting frameworks (including the European Sustainability Reporting Standards and the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards). The standard is drafted as a profession agnostic standard and should be suitable for use by accountant and non-accountant assurance practitioners. With the sustainability reporting requirements for certain entities set to increase over the coming years, a standalone sustainability standard is seen as a key piece of the framework to help ensure that users of sustainability information can place greater trust in the information they are consuming on an entities Environmental, Social and Governance impacts. In launching the consultation, IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein commented “Our proposed ISSA 5000 is a crucial step in enhancing confidence and trust in sustainability reporting. This proposal directly responds to the International Organization of Securities Commissions recommendations and complements the work of other standard setters, including the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants,”. The comment period remains open until 1 December and the IAASB are seeking a broad range of views on the standard to gather the views and insights needed to finalise it.

Recent European heatwaves have highlighted the impact climate change has on society and the economy. Susan Rossney explores the challenges facing Irish businesses when taking steps to tackle the crisis Recent severe heatwaves in continental Europe have shown how the effects of global warming are coming ever closer to home. Forced migration, drought, forest fires and biodiversity loss are some of the many ways climate change will impact Irish society.  Its impact on the economy will be acute, affecting everything from the health and wellness of employees to the cost of raw materials, scarcity of resources and supply chain disruption.  Ireland and climate change Climate change poses risks to humans, nature and Ireland as a nation.  Ireland is legally bound to meet ambitious national and international climate targets. According to the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), an independent advisory body, Ireland will not meet the climate targets it has set for itself in the first and second carbon budget periods. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) provisional estimates on 2022 greenhouse gas emissions show that Ireland already used 47 percent of the carbon budget for 2021–2025 in the past two years.  An annual reduction of 12.4 percent is now required for each of the remaining years if Ireland is to stay within budget.  However, as emissions fell only 1.9 percent in 2022, this has been described as “extremely challenging” by the EPA.  It is clear that action is required across all sectors of the economy and society, including: Mitigation: reducing activity that causes climate change, like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas); and Adaptation: making changes to deal with the effects of climate change, from operational changes to cope with rising summer temperatures or winter flooding to factoring in the risk of developing stranded assets and increased carbon tax liabilities. Ireland’s perception of climate change According to Climate Change in the Irish Mind, EPA research conducted in 2021, most Irish citizens share a desire for action on the climate crisis.  However, other EPA research has found that our emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) continue to rise.  Environmental Indicators Ireland 2022, published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), shows that Ireland’s 2022 emissions were 11 percent higher than in 1990.  Enterprises contributed an estimated 12.7 percent to Ireland’s overall emissions in 2018, according to the Climate Action Plan 2023. Although this is less than the contributions of other sectors, there remains a need for Ireland’s enterprises to take action to reduce their emissions.  However, a 2022 national survey of 380 SMEs and larger enterprises across industry and service sectors by Microsoft and University College Cork found that Irish businesses are underprepared to make the necessary changes to transition to a net zero future. According to the study, 86 percent have no commitments or targets to decarbonise.  Barriers to action  In the face of evidence of climate change – and Ireland’s willingness to take action – what is preventing Irish businesses from responding to the crisis?  As an issue, climate change is complicated, abstract and overwhelming. Multiple interdependent factors cause it, and it is nearly impossible to avoid contributing to it in our daily lives. Buying products, driving a car or taking a flight for a foreign family holiday (full disclosure: I’m just back from one) all add to the overall problem. The solutions to the climate crisis are also interdependent and complicated. The positive changes we can make as individuals can feel insignificant, especially compared with large countries’ continued pollution.  The European Commission’s Annual Report on European SMEs 2021/22 – SMEs and environmental sustainability identified access to finance, limited expertise and skills, and regulatory and administrative barriers among the challenges facing SMEs in particular. Businesses that want to take climate action often have limited time, cash flow, resources and support (both financial and non-financial) to take action.  Knowledge is also a barrier. Many professionals qualified at a time when climate change was not identified as a business risk. They now find themselves having to skill up mid-career in an area that is famous for changing frequently.  Finally, many citizens and businesses are still struggling with crises related to COVID-19, inflationary pressure, supply chain disruption and high energy costs. Staying afloat is a crisis in itself.  Firms, particularly SMEs, focusing on the practicalities of running a business, paying staff and grappling with cash flow and costs are more likely to see climate action as the responsibility of governments or, at the very least, large corporations rather than them.  On top of that, climate discussions are often politicised. They are regularly reduced to a ‘them vs us’ polarised debate in mainstream media rather than discussing how everyone can work together to deliver solutions.  Threats and opportunities  For businesses, climate change presents both threats and opportunities.  Threats The threats have been categorised as physical risks (both ‘acute’ and ‘chronic’) and transitional risks.  Opportunities  Taking action on the climate crisis enables businesses to restore lost ecosystems, improve air quality, community health and well-being, and avail of the opportunity to make a lasting positive impact. There are additional advantages to consider: Reduced costs – the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimates that the average SME can save up to 30 percent on its energy bill by becoming more energy efficient (improved heating and lighting, lower maintenance of electric vehicles, efficient water and materials management and using recycled materials with a lower climate impact all contribute to lower costs);  Reduced reliance on exposure to fluctuating oil and gas prices from switching from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) to renewable energy sources; Reduced exposure to carbon tax, which is increasing €7.50 per tonne to €100 per tonne in 2030; Access to grants, allowances and tax reliefs; Improved access to capital and finance from investors and lending looking to ‘green’ their portfolios; and A competitive edge in attracting talent, clients and customers. Steps to climate action Businesses looking to take action on the climate crisis can take several steps: Build your knowledge. There are many resources out there, several provided by the Government and Chartered Accountants Ireland. Begin measuring emissions with tools like the Government’s Climate Toolkit for Business.  Consider an internal energy audit to find ways of reducing your carbon footprint. SEAI maintains a list of registered energy auditors and offers SMEs a €2,000 voucher towards the audit cost. Consider setting up an internal environment and climate impact team to devise a decarbonisation plan.  See also the Sustainability Glossary in the Sustainability Centre of the Chartered Accountants Ireland website.  For more, see www.charteredaccountants.ie/sustainability-centre/sustainability-home Susan Rossney is Sustainability Officer at Chartered Accountants Ireland Reporting and climate change The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is an EU Directive requiring certain companies to disclose information on sustainability-related impacts. It proposes significant changes to how entities report on their business’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts. These changes will affect many enterprises – directly and indirectly.  Businesses ‘in scope’ of the CSRD are required to consider their supply chain when reporting on sustainability matters. This will mean that companies not in scope that form part of a supply chain may be asked to provide climate-related information by companies in scope. Small companies should prepare for this and have a mechanism to measure and disclose their carbon emissions. For more on the CSRD, see the Chartered Accountants Ireland Technical Hub. Dee Moran is Professional Accountancy Lead at Chartered Accountants Ireland  

The European Commission (EC) has adopted the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) on 31 July 2023. This marks a significant milestone in the development of European Sustainability Reporting Standards and is the culmination of great effort from the various parties tasked with its development- including the EFRAG Sustainability Reporting Board, the EFRAG Sustainability Technical Expert Group, its initial Project Task Force and respondents to the recent consultations on the ESRS. The EC has also published a press announcement and Q&As and have indicated that additional implementation guidance will be prepared and made available over the coming months. The standard will enter into force following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and the first wave of entities will report under the ESRS for periods commencing on or after 1 January 2024. The reporting requirements will then be phased-in over the subsequent years to various company types and sizes. If you wish to find out more about the ESRS, please see our recent free webinar "Further your knowledge about the European Sustainability Reporting Standards"

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published a thematic review entitled “CRR Thematic review of climate-related metrics and targets” which assesses the quality and maturity of climate-related metrics and targets disclosures across 20 companies annual reports for 2022. The review focusses on 4 sectors- materials and buildings, energy, banks and asset managers. The report is intended to assist preparers in the preparation of climate-related disclosures and highlights instances of good practice identified as well as opportunities for improvement and omissions identified. Throughout the report the FRC consider the following overarching questions; Has companies’ climate-related metrics and targets reporting improved since last year? Are companies adequately disclosing their plans for transition to a lower carbon economy, including interim milestones and progress? Are companies using consistent and comparable metrics? Are companies explaining how their targets have affected the financial statements? Overall, the report shows an improvement in the quality of companies’ disclosures of net-zero commitments and interim emissions targets, however it also noted that disclosures of actions and milestones required to meet these targets were sometimes unclear.  

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about Ireland’s progress in dealing with the climate emergency, Ireland’s new national policy statement on electricity interconnection, and a report into the potential fiscal impacts of the transition to a lower carbon economy. Also covered is Northern Ireland’s climate consultations, a new set of guidelines from Europe on national adaptation strategies, and Ireland and Europe’s progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the usual roundup of articles, resources and events. Ireland and the climate emergency The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has published its Annual Review, in which the advisory body warns that at the current rate of policy implementation, Ireland will not meet the targets set in the first and second carbon budget periods. Among other recommendations, CACC is calling on the Government to find ways to help industry become more energy efficient and less reliant on fossil fuels, and that communities, NGOs and the private sector should be involved in adaptation planning and implementation. It also recommends that the Government build and maximise public support for climate action, ensuring a just transition and leveraging actions already in place. The advice comes at a time when analysis by the World Weather Attribution network reportedly announced that European and North American heatwaves would be “virtually impossible without climate change,” and that these events are likely to become more frequent and more severe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also published its provisional estimates on 2022 greenhouse gas emissions, which show that Ireland has already used 47 percent of its Carbon Budget for 2021-2025 in the past two years. An annual reduction of 12.4 per cent is now required for each of the remaining years if Ireland is to stay within the Budget. As emissions fell by only 1.9 percent in 2022, this has been described as “extremely challenging”. New national on policy statement on electricity interconnection The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D., has welcomed Cabinet approval of a new National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection which plans to make Ireland central to Europe’s energy future. The statement also outlines how a State-directed approach will ensure integrated forward planning, enabling the necessary infrastructure to unlock significant green energy export opportunities. Potential fiscal impacts of the transition to a lower carbon economy in Ireland Current environmental taxes are an important source of revenue for the State, according to a Department of Finance report recently published on the potential fiscal impacts of the transition to a lower carbon economy in Ireland. The report states that the taxes represent approximately €5.3 billion annually or around 6.4 per cent of overall exchequer tax revenue in 2022, and suggests that policy and policy makers will need to consider how to use taxation as an instrument in the economy’s transition to lower carbon over the medium term and towards carbon neutrality by 2050. Public finances in Ireland will come under increasing pressure from factors other than climate change, the report noted, such as population ageing and other demographic changes. Northern Ireland climate consultations open The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive has published a consultation on “Northern Ireland’s 2030 and 2040 Emissions Reduction Targets and First Three Carbon Budgets and Seeking views on Climate Change Committee (CCC) Advice Report: The path to a Net Zero Northern Ireland”. The main aim of the consultation is to consult on the proposed 2030 and 2040 emissions targets for NI and proposed carbon budgets for the periods 2023-2027, 2028-2032 and 2033-2037. A series of consultation sessions are planned to include sector specific workshops and a number of public consultation sessions, with registration links available. The consultation will run until Wednesday 11 October 2023. Building a climate-resilient future in Europe The European Commission has adopted a new set of guidelines to assist Member States in updating and implementing comprehensive national adaptation strategies, plans and policies in line with the European Climate Law and the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change. The guidelines aim to make climate adaptation a top political priority and to enhance Member States’ strategies and plans. The announcement comes as a new Eurobarometer survey finds that a large majority of Europeans believe climate change is a serious problem facing the world (93 percent) and that 73 percent of Europeans agree that the cost of damage due to climate change is much higher than the investment needed for a green transition. European Green Deal update The European Commission has welcomed the final approval of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive, FuelEU Maritime Regulation and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package of legislation to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030. The revised legislation aims to reduce energy use this decade and beyond, and put the EU on a cost-efficient pathway to become climate-neutral by 2050. Following the formal approval of both co-legislators, the new legislation can now enter into force on publication in the EU's official journal. Progress on delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals The European Union has presented its first Voluntary Review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the United Nations in New York. The review gives an overview of how EU internal and external actions are contributing to delivering on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both within the EU and in partner countries around the world. Separately, Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D., presented Ireland’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the SDGs, Building Back Better while Leaving No One Behind. The VNR outlines the progress Ireland is making, with 80 percent of the associated 169 targets reached. The EU has performed best on ensuring decent work and economic growth, reducing poverty and fostering peace, security, and inclusive societies and institutions, while Ireland has made progress in a number of areas, such as education, employment, social protection, hunger reduction, health, community engagement and wellbeing. Did you know? Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) has put together a list of Corporate Environmental Volunteering Opportunities for its member companies. Each of the volunteering opportunities listed provides contact details, information on the skills required of volunteers, and the time they need to commit to the cause or organisation.  Articles FRC thematic review examines quality of climate-related metrics and targets disclosures (Financial Reporting Council)   IAASB to issue proposed sustainability assurance standard (Chartered Accountants Ireland)   FRC Lab publishes report on ESG data use (Chartered Accountants Ireland)   ‘No one wants to be right about this’: climate scientists’ horror and exasperation as global predictions play out (The Guardian)   Stocktake: Markets are under-pricing climate risks (Irish Times)   ESG label shunned amid political polarisation (Irish Times) Upcoming events  The Future of Sustainable Finance – In person – 5 September, 8.30 – 10.00 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. Venue: 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. Business Post LIVE and iQuest - Energy Transition Summit Delivering Ireland’s energy revolution - 19 September 2023 - Croke Park, Dublin   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.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has announced that it plans to issue its proposed sustainability assurance standard, International Standard on Sustainability Assurance 5000 (ISSA 5000) on 2 August. This will then be subject to public consultation until early December to allow for stakeholder feedback. In making the announcement the IAASB stated that "When approved, ISSA 5000 will be the most comprehensive sustainability assurance standard available to all assurance practitioners across the globe. It will apply 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."