Driving consistency in sustainability reporting and standards
The article discusses recent developments in sustainability reporting and what it means for organisations, and it explains double materiality, the new CSRD regulations, the TCFD and the ISSB.
"All entities should begin to think about who will be responsible for the ESG data in their organisation and the processes and procedures for capturing, collecting, and measuring that data. All entities will soon be required, whether by standards, lenders, investors, customers, suppliers or law, to report on their ESG activity to some extent."
February 11, 2022
“Accountants should be at the centre of sustainability reporting”
A note on a webinar ‘ESG: Risks and Opportunities for Accountants’ from November 2021 where Institute’s Director of Public Policy, Dr Brian Keegan, hosted a panel discussion with two experts in investment: Sustainable Investment Director of Gresham House, Rebecca-Craddock Taylor and Gerard Reid, Co-founder and Partner at Alexa Capital, an independent financial services business committed to mobilising capital towards achieving net-zero.
November 18, 2021
Government needs to rally businesses to achieve targets in Climate Action Plan
Press release commenting on the launch of the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan, in which Public Policy Lead at Chartered Accountants Ireland, Cróna Clohisey said that the 'Climate Toolkit 4 Business' is just one part of the collective push required, and that lessons can be taken from the approach used to prepare Irish businesses for Brexit.
November 5, 2021
Small practices - why sustainability matters
The October issue of Practice Matters contained an indepth article by Susan Rossney, Public Policy Officer, on the opportunities for small businesses – and their advisors – in embracing sustainability.
October 8, 2021
Sustainability Conference
The first Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability Conference took place this week (16 June). Partnering with sponsors Goodbody, the conference sought to answer the question ‘What does Sustainability Mean for Accountants?’ Attendees heard keynote addresses from Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan; and Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, Nichola Mallon, who both outlined their respective government policies for the development of climate action plans.
June 17, 2021
What does sustainability mean to accountants?
Sustainability has transformed from ‘nice to have’ to a critical pillar of the business case for companies. Investors and employees are demanding that businesses adopt a long-term sustainable strategy and accountants are increasingly the professionals asked to deliver this strategy.
June 10, 2021
Mobilising business behind the Climate Change Bill (Northern Ireland)
History was made in Northern Ireland in March when the first Climate Bill was introduced to the Assembly. The Climate Change Bill – a private members Bill – was drafted by a group of environmentalists and academics and called for a net-zero carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2045. Zara Duffy, Head of Northern Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland writes exclusively for Business First Online.
May 24, 2021
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive key to bringing consistency to non-financial reporting
Chartered Accountants Ireland has reacted to European Commission proposals to amend the current EU Non-Financial Reporting Requirements Directive (NFRD). The proposals form part of a package of measures announced by the Commission to improve the flow of money towards sustainable activities, with a view to making Europe climate neutral by 2050. They are an important step in the EU’s objectives for sustainable corporate governance.
April 22, 2021
Mobilising business behind the Climate Change Bill (Republic of Ireland)
Business is largely ready to get serious about global heating and climate action, says Susan Rossney of Chartered Accountants Ireland, but current and future governments need to lead with unswerving commitment.
April 21, 2021
Sustainability: How Directors Can Make a Difference
If, as a director, you occasionally feel overwhelmed by the volume of information regarding sustainability, then you are not alone. If you wonder how sustainability is relevant to your role and what difference you can make, take assurance from Socrates that “wonder is the beginning of wisdom”.
April 9, 2021
UN to include nature when measuring economic prosperity and human well-being
Read about how the United Nations has officially adopted the SEEA-EA system (System of Environmental Economic Accounting-Ecosystem Accounting) as the new global standard of economic reporting.
March 22, 2021
Creating long-term value through ESG
Dr Rodney Irwin explains how Chartered Accountants can fulfil their professional duties by strengthening company value through environmental, social and governance criteria.
February 9, 2021
Accounting for Sustainability – What to Expect in 2021
Susan Rossney, Public Policy Officer with Chartered Accountants Ireland, writes about what impact the sustainability agenda will have on businesses, and accountants in 2021.
January 29, 2021
“A wave of capital and focus" - ESG Disclosures and Investors
Susan Rossney, Public Policy Officer with Chartered Accountants Ireland, writes about Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Disclosures and the impact of investor demands.
December 11, 2020
Sustainability through the public sector lens
A review of a webinar hosted by Chartered Accountants Ireland with our Public Sector Committee on sustainability and the public sector. An expert panel drawn from across the public sector discussed a wide range of topics including public/private sector collaboration; Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and green finance.
November 26, 2020
Three reasons to prioritise ESG reporting
Kevin Lynch explains why ESG reporting is fast becoming a critical pillar in the evaluation of organisational stability.
October 29, 2020
The Climate Action Bill: an ambitious path to net-zero
The Climate Action Bill has ignited the drive for businesses to decarbonise, writes Lorraine McCann. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
October 28, 2020
A taxing drive: carbon taxes increase
In a drive to decarbonise Ireland’s economy, the rate of carbon tax on auto fuels will increase by €7.50 from €26 to €33.50 per tonne/CO2 from midnight. Budget 2021 will also include the largest ever budget for energy efficiency and retrofitting programmes, helping Ireland meet its international climate action commitments.
Oct 13, 2020
European Parliament adopts new EU Climate Law
On Wednesday October 8 the European Parliament adopted its position the new EU climate law. The new law aims to transform political promises that the EU will become climate neutral by 2050 into a binding obligation. It makes legally binding European’s 2050 goal of reducing greenhouse gases to net-zero and backs the ambitious target to reduce emissions by 60 percent compared to their 1990 levels, by as early as 2030.
Government publishes Climate Action Bill
The Government today published the Climate Action Bill, announced at a briefing with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan. The Bill comes following 2 years of pre-legislative strutiny and takes account of Citizen's Assembly input.
Oct 07, 2020