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.

Retirement is one of the biggest transitional periods than anyone can go through with almost every aspect of our life changing. Suddenly you are met with a massive shift in your pace of lifestyle. While many of us may embrace the change, retirement can be a time of great upheaval physically and emotionally.  With this in mind, it is important to plan and prepare for the change ahead as you embark on this transitional life stage.  A long and fulfilling retirement isn’t just about a pension plan, it also about planning for your lifestyle shift. Without a plan in place, the initial novelty of retirement can wear off pretty quickly, leaving you to struggle to adapt to your new way of life.  Routine & schedule Adjusting to retired life is not something that happens overnight, and it may take a while to adapt. So do try to remember that like any big change in life, it'll take time for you to become accustomed to what comes with retirement. When working we have an imposed schedule and structure but once the 9 to 5 comes to an end, it can be incredibly difficult to fill all the extra hours you now have at your disposal. Across all stages in life, structure and routine are key habits that lead to good wellbeing. It may be tempting to fill your days with laze and leisure which is novel and exciting at first, but feelings of boredom or restlessness can creep in especially if you have been used to a busy schedule. You may want to define some specific routines to maintain order, predictability, and structure. In the run up to your retirement, take some time to consider what your day, week or month will look like. Stay active Staying active through exercise will help keep you healthy both physically and mentally and prolong your life. But it is also important to keep your mind active too. Ongoing learning can help keep you mentally sharp by getting you in the habit of staying mentally active. Having less structured days allows you to take up a new hobby or learn skills and feeds into the need for routine and schedule. Retirement is a great time to discover old and new passions that you felt you didn’t have the time for before.  Taking up a course or classes in your local college, learning to play an instrument, or another meaningful activity that you can enjoy and engage with can keep you mentally fit. The mantra ‘use it or lose it’ most definitely applies here! Connection As we transition from the workforce, our social circle can diminish due to our daily interactions reducing and unfortunately loneliness becomes more common as we get older. Loneliness has a detrimental impact on our health and wellbeing and may significantly increase the chances of poor health. Research found that older adults with a good social life tend to live longer than those who are more isolated and happier retirees were found to have more social interactions. So, whether you are married or single, an introvert or an extrovert, maintaining strong social connections is critical. It is important to keep in contact with friends and connect with your work circle as much as possible. Certain activities can also present opportunities for you to meet new friends or other retirees with similar interests. Taking a new class, joining a book club, participating in your local community centre, or joining an exercise group are just some of the many ways you can stay connected. There is also a wealth of benefits from spending time with grandchildren, it helps you to keep active, improves cognitive skills and can lower the risk of depression. Purpose For many, our sense of purpose can be wrap in what we do for living and measure our success only through our professional lives. Once we leave the workplace, there may be a need to find meaning to fill that void and reinvent your purpose in life. Outside of your profession, try and identify what gives your life meaning and purpose and makes you happy. Retirees have a unique insight and wisdom gained from a lifetime's worth of skills, expertise and competencies that could be of benefit elsewhere and this could mean using talents in service to others. Mentoring and volunteering are fulfilling paths for retirees. Retirees can gain meaningfulness and social and emotional benefits from mentoring and volunteering. But whatever you do in retirement it is important to see this time as an opportunity to live out the second half of your life purposefully.

Join the Melbourne Chapter for an interactive discussion with Chief Economist Bank Of Queensland Peter Munckton and FTI Consulting, Senior Director of Strategic Communication's Shannon Walker in Melbourne on 22 August.

In Irish news, the Tax Strategy Group (chaired by the Department of Finance) has published its papers ahead of Budget 2024 and Revenue guidance on the R&D tax credit is updated for Finance Act 2022. In UK news, read this week’s miscellaneous updates from HMRC which includes a reminder about the new R&D Additional Information Requirements form which must now be used from 8 August 2023, and we bring you the highlights from last week’s legislation day. In International news, the OECD has published its Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific 2023 report.     Ireland  1.  The Tax Strategy Group (TSG) last week published its annual papers in advance of Budget 2024. 2.  Revenue guidance on the R&D tax credit is updated for Finance Act 2022.  UK 3.  This week’s miscellaneous updates from HMRC includes a reminder about the new R&D Additional Information Requirements form which must now be used from 8 August 2023, and not 1 August 2023.   4.  Read about the highlights from last week’s legislation day.  International 5.  The OECD has published its annual review of Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific.  Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount. You can also read this week’s EU exit corner here.    . 

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."

Seeking a new adventure, Ailish Byrne's ACA qualification brought her to Bermuda.  Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Kilcoole in Co. Wicklow (of Glenroe fame!) and moved to Bermuda in April 2022 to work as Chief Compliance Officer with the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX). I spent all my career in Dublin except for a year in Australia post qualification. What made you choose to become a Chartered Accountant? I was always interested in business subjects in school, particularly accountancy. I liked languages too and thought I’d like to combine the two and initially chose to do Languages and Marketing (German and Spanish) in Dublin City University (DCU). However, I realised fairly quickly that the course was too language focused for me. After completing first year, I switched into DCU’s Accounting and Finance where I was much happier. After that, becoming a Chartered Accountant was highly likely as a career path once you secured a training contract. Can you tell us a little about how you got to where you are today – both the geographical relocation and career path? I was looking for a new role post Covid and I wasn’t attracted to the job opportunities in Ireland. I decided an adventure abroad might be fun. Turns out the BSX was looking to replace their Chief Compliance Officer who was retiring. I had worked in the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) for 18 years in two different roles – as Head of Regulation and Head of Communications and my exchange experience was a perfect fit for what they needed. It was great timing! What do you value most about your membership of the profession and how do you think those benefits can be used to support the economy and society? Being an Irish Chartered Accountant has given me career opportunities and experiences that I would not have had without my qualification. Accountancy training gives you a mindset and a way of thinking that can be applied to lots of different roles and challenges. I’ve taken a non-financial accounting path and worked in internal audit, communications, compliance and regulatory roles - who knows what’s next! How has your membership been of value to you globally and what do you value about it now that you’re living overseas (and what would you like to see more of)? The Irish Chartered Accountancy profession is a ready-made network of people.  When I contacted Gillian Duffy, the Global Member Manager, about a potential Bermuda Chapter she said there was about 90 members living in Bermuda. We had our first event in May and for our July event, Chartered Accountants Ireland President, Sinead Donovan, was visiting so the timing was brilliant. I think the Chapters are a great way to keep ties with home and meet other members of all ages when you are working overseas. What were the most significant differences you encountered doing business and networking in a completely new location a long way from home? Bermuda has a culture all its own – it has a blend of British, Caribbean, Portuguese and American influences. It’s true that Bermuda shorts are considered business attire during the summer months! Business is more relaxed though it can be more formal and bureaucratic too. With a population of less than 60,000, I find everyone really does know everyone and people are friendly so it makes networking fairly easy as long as you are happy to get involved and join in.  

The FRC Lab has published a report entitled "ESG data distribution and consumption- Optimising the flow of ESG data from companies to investors". This report is the second phase of the FRC Lab's ESG data project, having published "Improving ESG data production" in 2022. This report examines how investors access and collect ESG data and how they use it. Specifically, it looks at the following three elements of relevance to ESG data; Motivation- What motivates investors to collect ESG data? Method- How do investors collect the data? Meaning- How do investors integrate ESG data into their investment processes?

The Tax Strategy Group (TSG) last week published its annual papers in advance of Budget 2024. In this year’s papers, the TSG identifies the key challenges for Ireland’s economy as capacity constraints, the aging population, digitalisation, de-carbonisation and de-globalisation. The TSG also highlights the country’s reliance on multinational companies and the resultant vulnerability to our corporation tax base. The TSG is chaired by the Department of Finance and comprises senior officials and advisers from several governmental departments and offices. The TSG is not a decision-making body, rather its purpose is to set out different options to be considered in the Budget. The full list of papers released by the TSG are as follows: Income Tax (TSG 23/01) includes a summary of tax yields, information on the distribution and burden of income tax and USC and policy considerations for reform. Other items discussed include Refundable Tax Credits, the Remittance Basis of Taxation and Pensions. Pay Related Social Insurance (TSG 23/02) examines issues including the Social Insurance Fund, certain “step-effect” anomalies relating to the exemptions from PRSI for lower paid workers, and the rate of PRSI for the self-employed. Corporation Tax (TSG 23/04) examines a range of topics such as corporation tax trends, implementation progress of BEPS, Pillar One and Pillar Two, EU tax developments, an update on Apple State Aid case and a discussion of various business support measures. Residential Property-Related Taxation Measures (TSG 23/06) discusses various income tax reliefs, including the Rent Tax Credit, and the treatment of rental income and examines residential zoned land tax (RZLT), local property tax (LPT) and vacant homes tax (VHT). Capital gains tax and capital acquisitions tax property reliefs are identified. A reduced rate of VAT for the supply and construction of housing is also considered. Climate Action and Tax (TSG 23/07) looks at how the tax system can be used to help meet Ireland's ambitious climate change goals of reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and developing less environmentally harmful policies. It puts forward options in respect of carbon, fuel related and motor taxes. Value Added Tax (TSG 23/08) reviews VAT rates and structures, considers options to assist SMEs and addresses climate change and the high costs of living. Capital & Savings Taxes (TSG 23/10) covers capital gains tax, capital acquisitions tax, DIRT and Stamp Duty and examines rates, yields and exemptions associated with these taxes. The paper sets out the current position on each and examines potential options for change in the context of Budget 2024.

With a view to ensuring that taxpayer data is kept in a safe, secure and accurate manner in accordance with Data Protection obligations, Revenue has updated the Agent’s Guide to the Collector-General’s Division. Revenue has advised that where an agent inadvertently uploads claims or returns for an incorrect taxpayer, or attaches information related to a third party, the integrity of the data held by Revenue is compromised. To help ensure that all details entered are correct for the taxpayer, additional text has been added to the agent screens on ROS. The updated manual includes a new section titled “Integrity of Data” explaining the system enhancements for agents.

This week we bring you news of new guidance and a form for anyone self-employed and working abroad. HMRC has also asked us to publish “Handy hints for taxpayers – June 2023”. Read HMRC’s update on new employees, and we remind you that from next month the research and development (“R&D”) Additional Information Requirements form must be submitted with all R&D tax relief claims, although this commences from the later date of 8 August 2023. The latest report from the Department for Trade on the National Minimum Wage is also available, and HMRC has published updated guidance on “How HMRC advice and information can help you”. New guidance and form for self-employed taxpayers working abroad New guidance and a g-form are available for any self-employed individuals who are working abroad and wish to apply for a certificate to confirm they pay UK national insurance. The form should be used to ask HMRC to confirm that you only need to pay UK social security contributions if you are a self-employed individual working temporarily in an EU country, or Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. HMRC’s update on new employees HMRC has sent an email about upcoming activity to support employers with new starters. The email sets out useful tips to help employers get their staff on the right starter declaration and tax codes.  R&D Additional Information Requirements form commences from 8 August 2023 From 8 August 2023, a week later than the original commencement date of 1 August 2023, companies must complete and submit the Additional Information Requirements (“AIR”) form to HMRC to support all claims for R&D tax relief or the R&D expenditure credit. The AIR form must be sent before submitting the company’s Corporation Tax Return which includes the R&D claim. Failure to do so means that HMRC will write to the company to confirm it has removed the claim for R&D tax relief from the Corporation Tax Return. According to HMRC, the delayed commencement date is designed to give companies more time to prepare. The Relief for Research and Development (Content of Claim Notifications, Additional Information Requirements and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 were published last week and codify the content of both the AIR form, and the Claim Notification form, which are both mandatory requirements for R&D tax relief claims to be considered valid. Chartered Accountants Ireland is represented on HMRC’s R&D sub-group forum and would welcome any feedback or questions on either the AIR form or the Claim Notification form. Department for Trade’s annual National Minimum Wage report The Department for Trade’s annual National Minimum Wage report was published last month and named over 200 employers for failing to pay their staff the National Minimum Wage. Guidance for employers on pay continues to be available on GOV.UK. Additional advice has also been published about breaches and the steps employers should take to make sure they pay their workers correctly. Updated guidance “How HMRC advice and information can help you” HMRC has published updated guidance “How HMRC advice and information can help you”. Some of the key changes made are as follows:- It should be clearer what types of information, or advice the statement applies to; Links are included to the HMRC Charter, and a link to the Admin Law Manual which covers “Legitimate Expectation” (“LE”) in more detail; and It is now clearer that HMRC can consider applying the correct tax position prospectively, something it always did as part of LE but did not say in the guidance.  The updated statement is based on stakeholder feedback from the Guidance Strategy Forum, with further improvements expected to both the guidance, and the Admin Law Manual.  HMRC are keen to hear feedback on the changes and is also considering more opportunities to signpost to the guidance.  

Revenue has updated the Tax and Duty Manual on the Research and Development (R&D) Corporation Tax Credit. Changes introduced by Finance Act 2022 are reflected throughout the manual, with examples provided where appropriate.  The manual also includes a new section on costs associated with cloud computing and obsolete material has been removed. The R&D corporation tax credit was amended in Finance Act 2022. Two new sections - sections 766C and 766D TCA 1997 – were introduced providing for accelerated payment of the second and final instalments for claims under sections 766(4D) and/or 766A(4C) TCA 1997 where the accounting period commenced pre-1 January 2022. The updated manual also provides guidance on making a claim using the new R&D Specified Return for 2022. As previously reported, a company is required to file an R&D Specified Return, which forms part of the Form CT1 2022, via MyEnquiries where the company is making a claim for an accelerated payment of the second and final instalment, as set out above.