Articles

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

Creating long-term value through ESG

Accounting for Sustainability – What to Expect in 2021

“A wave of capital and focus" - ESG Disclosures and Investors

Sustainability through the public sector lens

Three reasons to prioritise ESG reporting

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

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