In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin read about a sustainability workshop for small-to-medium businesses and accounting practices, a new report recommending that the Irish government connect people to the energy transition, the consultation on the ESRS exposure drafts, and the usual articles, resources and upcoming events.

Chartered Accountants Ireland

SMEs and Small/Medium Practices Sustainability Workshop (ROI/NI)

Chartered Accountants Ireland is delighted to announce it is once again running its sustainability workshop for small/medium enterprises (SMEs) and accounting practices.

This interactive half-day session will focus on positive actions you can take to make your business or practice more sustainable, and help your clients to do the same. Aimed at SME owner-managers and accountants in small/medium practices, and consultants, the webinar will cover sustainability basics, green public procurement, access to sustainable finance, how to make your business or practice more sustainable to save costs and respond to stakeholder demands, and grant funding available to SMEs.

The workshop will be delivered via Zoom on 12 September from 09.30- 12.30. Full details, including the booking page and CPD hours, are on the Chartered Accountants Ireland CPD calendar. 

Sustainability-focused specialist qualifications

Chartered Accountants Ireland has launched its Autumn/Winter programme offering, which includes sustainability-focused Specialist Qualifications:

• Diploma in Sustainability Reporting (Starting 25 September)
• Diploma in Auditing and Assuring Sustainability Reporting (Starting 25 September)
• Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting (Starting 7 October)

NEWS

NESC report recommends connecting people to the energy transition  

A new report from the advisory council of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) has advised that action must be taken to deliver the required large-scale transformation of Ireland’s energy system. The report, Connecting People to the Energy Transition, finds that while the energy transition is technically underway, its meaning and impact for individuals, households and communities remains unclear. The specific ‘ask’ of the people in Ireland regarding the transition has yet to be clearly defined. The report recommends action on five broad areas (including energy affordability, resilience, local production and scalability) in order to better connect people to a changing energy system so that it is just and inclusive.

EFRAG shares revised ESRS exposure drafts and launches 60-Day public consultation

EFRAG, the EU Commission’s technical advisory body for sustainability reporting, has published the revised and simplified Exposure Drafts of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It has launched a public consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders across the EU corporate reporting ecosystem. The step follows the European Commission’s Omnibus initiative and its formal request to EFRAG in March 2025 to deliver a critical simplification to the ESRS adopted in 2023. The objective is to make sustainability reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) more manageable while preserving its relevance and alignment with the European Green Deal.

The public consultation runs until 29 September 2025 and stakeholders – including preparers, auditors, civil society, investors, and national authorities – are invited to review the revised drafts and share their views. EFRAG will organise or co-organise outreach events throughout September and October, gathering further feedback ahead of its final technical advice to the European Commission, due by 30 November 2025. In parallel, EFRAG is also performing a cost benefit analysis and targeted field tests which are also open to participation from stakeholders.

Resources

Did you know?

There is a #ClimatePerks Community that supports a shift towards low-carbon leisure travel by offering employees paid time off for flight-free holidays.

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is the first organisation in Ireland to be onboarded, and is calling on other organisations to join them in what is becoming a  growing movement for climate-positive travel.

“Why? Because although fewer than 1 in 5 people globally have ever flown, aviation is one of the fastest-growing contributors to climate change. We believe employers have a role to play in enabling more sustainable choices – and that’s exactly what this policy is about. 

Whether it's taking the ferry to France or a scenic train through Europe, we're encouraging our team to choose cleaner travel options – without using up their annual leave to do so.

This is more than a benefit – it’s a culture shift.

We know that behaviour change spreads through social networks – including the workplace – so we’re starting conversations, sharing stories, and showing what climate leadership can look like in everyday decisions.”

Find out more about Climate Perks 

Articles

• Hedge Funds Flip on Green Energy and Start Betting Against Oil (Bloomberg - Subscription)

• Investments in climate risk mitigation deliver strong returns, CDP finds (FT – Subscription needed)

• Carbon credits: The dark heart of the climate ‘solution’ that simply does not work (Irish Times)

• In Hawaii, New Tourism Tax Aims to Offset Costs of Climate Change (Bloomberg)

• TNFD study lays bare financial materiality of nature risks (ICAEW Insights)

• Sustainability policies are a key deciding factor for half of jobseekers (Irish Independent) 

Events

Business for Biodiversity Ireland,  Webinar: Introducing the Nature-Based Enterprise
This webinar on new market opportunities in nature-based solutions will bring together communities of nature-based enterprises, working with and for nature, delivering nature-based solutions helping to address business dependencies and risks from nature loss and climate change.  Whether you are interested in benefiting from nature-based solutions to climate adaptation, developing new products and services, you are a start-up business in this area, or you will have businesses like these in your supply chain, this webinar provides a good understanding of how your business can participate in the nature positive economy and go nature positive! 
Virtual (Teams), 20 August, 12-1pm

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

UN Global Compact Network, EU Omnibus Webinar - Briefing for Business on Supporting a Risk Based Approach
The UN Global Compact Network are inviting UNGC participants to this briefing session, delivered by Shift, for companies that want to support and advocate for a risk-based approach to due diligence in the proposed EU Omnibus legislation. Register here. 
Virtual, Thursday 28 August, 09:00 

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 Network, EU Sustainability Navigator Session 3 - Business Action Amid Uncertainty: EU Sustainability Insights
During this session, sustainability experts will explore the latest EU policy shifts — clarifying common misinterpretations, outlining ways to ensure corporate action, impact and ambition remain high, and placing these debates within the wider global sustainability landscape. Join us to hear the latest on ongoing negotiations, to explore how EU sustainability policy discussions align with and respond to wider global political and economic shifts and how companies can lead, engage, and stay ahead in a fast-evolving policy landscape.
Virtual, Thursday 4 September at 15:00

UN Global Compact, UN Women, Women's Empowerment Principles 101
Hosted by the UN Global Compact and in collaboration with UN Women, this webinar will provide an overview of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and how the WEPs provide a strong framework for companies to advance gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community. Speakers will also provide practical guidance for implementation and insights into the benefits of advancing gender equality in business practices. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts and learn best practices to support women’s empowerment initiatives within their organizations.
Virtual, Wednesday 10 September at 14.00

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

Dublin Chamber, Sustainability Academy Workshops
This autumn, for the first time, all Sustainability Academy workshops will take place in person at Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Dublin Chamber is offering a special rate of €420 for those who register for the full series of five workshops (normally €495). This includes a free one-hour tailored advisory consultation with a sustainability expert from Goodbody Clearstream. Whether you're new to sustainability or looking to build on existing knowledge, this series provides a structured way to learn what matters and apply it in your role.
Venue: Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2

Sustainability 101 – ESG in Practice, Thursday 25 September, 9am-1pm

Environmental Strategy Bootcamp – Carbon Footprint & Decarbonisation, Wednesday 8 October, 9am -1pm

Strategic Sustainability Leadership, Wednesday 5 November, 9am -1pm

Sustainable Business Practices – Strengthening Customer Connections, Wednesday 26 November, Time: 9am -1pm

Internal Sustainability Integration – Building a Sustainable Workplace Culture, Thursday 4 December, Time: 9am -1pm

Climate Cocktail Club, Climate Carnival
Blending business, innovation, finance, music, activism and science for bold brave leadership, this pioneering two-day event for changemakers aims to inspire, entertain and explore radical and creative solutions to drive planetary impact now.
In person, 29 – 30 Sept | Ballintubbert House, Ballintubbert House, Stradbally, Co. Laois, R14 E954.

Diversity Mark, Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2025

Sustainability Centre

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