Sustainability Centre

    In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about COP30, the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, Bank of Ireland’s green bond sale, the continued rise in global demand for green skills, calls for faster action as Ireland overshoots its first carbon budget targets and proposals for the future of environmental governance in Northern Ireland. Also covered is the adoption by the European Parliament of its negotiating position on sustainability reporting and due diligence duties for businesses and on the EU Climate Law, as well as calls for an ambitious gender equality strategy, and the OECD’s reports on effective carbon rates and global corporate sustainability. We also bring you the latest articles, jobs and upcoming events. IRELAND COP30  – a focus on implementation COP30 – the 2025 global climate summit – is underway this week. Running until 21 November, with world leaders, policy-makers, diplomats and activists converging on Belém, Brazil, the summit will discuss the world’s action on tackling climate change. The most significant event on the global climate calendar, the summit’s focus this year is on implementation. The summit’s theme of “readiness and resilience” will emphasise adaptation, infrastructure, local governments, circular economy, and water/waste systems. Nature-based solutions and forests will also feature prominently, particularly as Belém is located at the mouth of the Amazon rainforest,. The topic of mobilising finance will be key part of the summit also Minister Darragh O’Brien TD will lead Ireland’s National Climate Delegation for the political negotiations. The Delegation is made up of officials from across Government and a number of agencies.  At next year’s COP31, Ireland will lead the EU's negotiations as it will hold the EU presidency.  You can check Chartered Accountants Ireland COP30 coverage and resources on its Sustainability Centre. NDP Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030 publishes The Sectoral Capital Plan for 2026-2030 for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has been published, aligned with the goals, objectives and actions of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment's new Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 28 (published in September). The plan will support investment of over €5.6 billion by the department in key government priorities, such as in the energy, climate and circular economy sectors over the next five years. Key priorities include meeting the commitments in the Programme for Government to allocate a share of annual carbon tax proceeds for investment in energy efficiency programmes, continuing sustained action to tackle the climate crisis and to decarbonise the economy, delivering the energy infrastructure required to sustain a growing economy, improving our competitiveness and promoting a circular economy. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has published information on the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), an environmental management tool from the European Union granted to organisations that have made efforts in enhancing their environmental performance.  Recognised internationally as a certification in the world of sustainability, transparent public reporting and legal compliance, EMAS certification requires an organisation to examine the impact it has on the environment, to plan on how to improve in the future and to then check the progress and publish a statement on its green performance after externally verifying it by an accredited auditor. Strong investor demand as Bank of Ireland raises €750 million from green bond sale Bank of Ireland has raised €750 million from its second green bond issuance of the year to finance more climate action projects in renewable energy and green buildings. Orders exceeded €2.6 billion with participation from over 140 investors globally. This year, Bank of Ireland completed its largest green energy investment to date, financed its first solar power project, and expanded its Enviroflex sustainability-linked loans – originally available to the dairy sector – to include tillage farmers.  Bank of Ireland’s sustainability-related lending grew to €16.5 billion at the end of September 2025, achieving and exceeding its end-2025 target of €15 billion ahead of schedule. The Bank is targeting €30 billion in sustainability-related lending to households and businesses by 2030. Report finds that global demand for green skills exceeds supply A Labour Market Pulse Report from Microsoft, LinkedIn and Ireland's Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has found that demand for green skills in Ireland has grown at twice the global rate between 2021–2024, and that, globally, demand currently exceeds supply. The report also suggests that green jobs will outnumber qualified workers two to one by 2050.  In addition to workers with technical skills (e.g. engineers with expertise in battery storage, grid integration and offshore wind), managers with knowledge of carbon accounting, environmental compliance, and sustainable supply chains are also highly sought after across sectors. EU awards €3.5 million to two projects to accelerate Ireland’s clean energy transition The European Commission has granted almost €3.5 million to two Irish projects, HERO and BUSUnited, under the 2024 EU LIFE Programme to accelerate Ireland’s clean energy transition. The projects will focus on expanding home energy renovation services and tackling skills shortages in the construction sector. The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment, climate action and clean energy. For the 2021–2027 period it has a budget of approximately €5.432 billion. Most projects receive between €1 million and €5 million in co-financing, with higher amounts available for larger integrated projects. Climate Change Advisory Council calls for faster action The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has reported that Ireland has failed to achieve the targeted emission reductions during the first Carbon Budget period (2021-2025), with an overshoot of approximately 10 Mt CO2eq. This overshoot, the CCAC warns, will need to be paid back in the next Carbon Budget period (2026-2030) making it increasingly difficult to achieve. Transport was singled out as a particularly emissions-intensive sector. The Council emphasised the critical role that Local Authorities play in driving climate action at community level, as well as the significant opportunity that Ireland has to invest in households, communities and businesses, rather than paying punitive compliance costs estimated to be up to €26bn for failing to meet EU targets. Ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, the Council has urged the Government to fully integrate all climate and energy-related EU directives into Irish law within the legally binding time limit. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Proposals set out for future of environmental governance in Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir is seeking agreement for the establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland following publication of an expert independent panel report. The body, which would be overseen by an independent board led by a non-executive chair, would have full operational independence and would allow for better and more accountable environmental protection and regulation. Commenting Minister Muir said, “The costs of inaction are simply too great, we should look no further than Lough Neagh or the illegal dump at Mobuoy which, as you will know, could cost hundreds of millions of pounds to resolve. Restoring trust and confidence in environmental protection is crucial for the economy and for our communities. Better and more accountable regulation will create a fair and level playing field for all.” EUROPE European Parliament adopts negotiating position on simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence duties for businesses The European Parliament has adopted its negotiating position on simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence duties for businesses. The MEPs voted that only businesses employing on average over 1,750 employees and with a net annual turnover of over €450 million should have to carry out reporting under the CSRD. Only businesses within this scope would also be required to provide sustainability reporting under taxonomy rules (i.e. a classification of sustainable investments). Reporting standards would be further simplified and reduced, requiring fewer qualitative details, and sector-specific reporting would become voluntary. Smaller companies would be protected from the reporting requirements arising from relationships with their larger business partners, which would not be allowed to request more information than what is set out in the voluntary standards. MEPs also voted for due diligence requirements to apply only to large corporations with more than 5,000 employees and a net annual turnover of over €1.5 billion. MEPs want these businesses “to adopt a risk-based approach to monitoring and identifying their negative impact on people and the planet.” These companies would no longer need to prepare a transition plan to make their business model compatible with the Paris Agreement and could face fines for not complying with due diligence requirements, the guidance on which will be provided by the Commission and Member States. Offending firms would be liable at the national rather than EU level and would have to fully compensate their victims for damages. Negotiations with EU governments, which have already adopted their position on the file, will start on 18 November, with the aim of finalising the legislation by the end of 2025. European Parliament calls for ambitious gender equality strategy The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to present an ambitious 2026–2030 gender equality strategy, with concrete legislative and non-legislative measures in key areas.  MEPs are calling, among other things, for gender-based violence to be an EU crime, for EU equality legislation to be implemented in full, for safe and legal abortion care to be a fundamental right, and for a consent-based definition of rape in EU legislation. MEPs adopts position on EU Climate Law The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Commission’s proposal for an amendment to the EU Climate Law, setting a new, intermediate and binding 2040 EU climate target of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels.  The Parliament will now start negotiations with Member States on the final shape of the law. Agreement reached on single EU methodology for calculating transport emissions EU Parliament and Council negotiators have agreed on a single EU methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services. Under the preliminary agreement, the new rules will make it easier to compare the environmental performance of different transport modes across the EU, helping consumers and businesses make informed choices and reducing the risk of greenwashing. While the new rules will not oblige transport companies to calculate their GHG emissions, if they choose to do so (for instance for reporting, contractual or marketing purposes), or when required by other EU rules, they will be obliged to apply the common EU methodology. Accountancy Europe responds to EFRAG’S VSME market acceptance survey Accountancy Europe has responded to the VSME market acceptance survey, launched on 2 October by EFRAG, the group that advises the European Commission on financial and sustainability reporting. The survey aimed to assess the current level of awareness, use and acceptance of the VSME standard. In its response, Accountancy Europe identified free-to-use full reporting software at a national level as being helpful for SMEs, and recommended that more awareness raising/promotional activities at the national level directed at both preparers and users could help foster the market acceptance of the VSME. Public hearing on "Clean industrial deal and Energy Taxation Directive" The Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will hold a public hearing entitled “Tax aspects of the clean industrial deal and the revision of the energy taxation directive” on 20 November 2025. The aim of the hearing is to understand how the taxation measures taken to support the EU’s decarbonisation goals in the Clean Industry Deal can affect the taxation of energy and the current negotiations on the revised Energy Taxation Directive. In particular, the implementation of energy taxes that support electrification and avoid incentivising the use of fossil fuels will be under the spotlight. WORLD OECD reports on effective carbon rates and global corporate sustainability The OECD has published a report Effective Carbon Rates 2025: Recent Trends in Taxes on Energy Use and Carbon Pricing as part of its series on Carbon Pricing and Energy Taxation. The report presents 2023 data on how countries are using carbon taxes, emissions trading systems and fuel excise taxes, with selected updates through 2025. Covering 79 countries that together account for 82 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the report places particular emphasis on emissions trading systems, and takes stock of recent policy developments, offering policymakers, stakeholders and analysts a reliable point of reference and a basis for policy reform enquiries. Separately the OECD has published its Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2025, providing insights on how companies are implementing the sustainability-related recommendations of the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance. These recommendations cover disclosure, shareholder-company dialogue, board responsibilities, and stakeholder engagement. This edition features an in-depth analysis of the energy sector, assessing emission reduction targets, executive compensation, and capital expenditures and investments in green research and development. IFAC seeks volunteer members The Nominating Committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has launched a global search for volunteer members to serve on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB), an independent standard-setting body that develops and maintains accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standards (IPSASB SRS), and other high-quality reporting guidance for use by governments and public sector entities worldwide. The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from a wide range of relevant backgrounds and experience, such as strong knowledge of financial or sustainability reporting issues. The deadline for submitting applications is January 31, 2026 and the Call for Nominations has more details and information on how to submit an application. Nature Action 100 releases its first status report showcasing initiative progress and investor insights The global investor-led engagement initiative Nature Action 100 has published its first status report, highlighting the progress made by the initiative since its 2022 launch. The Nature Action 100 Status Report features key insights and case studies from investor participants who are engaging companies on nature action. The growth in the number of investor participants to over 240 representing more than $30 trillion assets under management or advice underscores the growing interest by investors to acknowledge the financial materiality of nature and biodiversity loss and engage companies to capitalize on new business opportunities and mitigate financial risks. A conservative estimate pins the economic cost of nature loss across Nature Action 100’s eight priority sectors – including food, forestry and packaging, and chemicals – at $430 billion per year globally, representing a cumulative loss of $2.15 trillion over five years if left unchecked. Articles ISSB to Develop Standards for Nature-Related Reporting (ESG Today) TNFD to Pause New Work After ISSB Takes Over Nature Reporting Standard Setting (ESG Today) No, Bill Gates, we don’t have to choose between people & planet (commentary) (Mongabay) What the booming net zero sector means for accountants (ICAEW Insights) Young female workers paid 31% less than male counterparts (Irish Examiner) Hybrid working could help get more disabled people into work, peers say (The Guardian) EU to hit Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu with customs duties (The Journal) Fossil fuel dependence ‘is Ireland’s biggest block’ to achieving carbon emissions cuts - ‘Expensive’ fossil fuels subsidised by €4.7bn of taxpayers’ money as Climate Change Advisory Council warns over ‘harmful use’ (Irish Times) Limits of heavy-load transport will hit electricity supplies, hauliers warn (Irish Times)   Jobs Financial Services - Climate Change and Sustainability Services - Senior Consultant (EY) Technical Roundup (From our colleagues in Professional Accounting) Following on from its “VSME in Action” event held on 6 October, EFRAG have released a summary of the event containing an event report, recordings and slides. Following its recent response to EFRAG’s Exposure Draft on the amended European Sustainability Reporting Standards, Accountancy Europe has shared some of its thoughts and key suggestions in relation to the proposed amendments. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has issued its October 2025 update. Following the rejection of the simplified rules for sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations in the EU Parliament on 22 October, MEP’s will again vote on amendments at the upcoming Plenary Session on 13 November.   Events Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Responsible Business Compass This kick-off event, developed with the OECD and funded by the European Commission, will explore the evolving responsible business regulatory landscape and introduce the Responsible Business Compass — a tool designed to help businesses, especially SMEs, better understand their obligations and reduce administrative burden. In-person, 19 November 2025, 9:30am–5:00pm (registration and networking from 9:00am), 15 George’s Quay, Dublin 2 iQuest / Business Post Live, ESG Summit Autumn 2025 This ESG Summit will explore how sustainability is becoming central to business strategy. With a focus on regulatory shifts, climate transition planning, ESG data governance, and nature-positive outcomes, the event brings together business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals to share insights and practical strategies. In-person, 20 November 2025, 8:45am–5:00pm, Croke Park, Dublin Business in the Community Ireland, Launch of Ireland’s First Climate Transition Plan Scorecard BITCI, in partnership with DCU Institute for Climate and Society, will launch Ireland’s first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard. The Scorecard assesses corporate climate plans across nine key areas and is part of BITCI’s Accelerate campaign. In-person, 20 November 2025, 3:00pm–4:00pm (wine reception until 5:00pm), Sky Suite, Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Network for Chartered Accountants working in ESG This informal network offers Chartered Accountants working in ESG/Sustainability a space to connect, share insights, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the field. Members working on ESG-related projects are encouraged to join and contribute to the conversation. Online, 19 November 2025, 2:00pm–3:00pm, Email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie to join IBEC, Preparing for Severe Weather Events Severe weather conditions can cause major disruption to roads, bus or train infrastructure and therefore, the operation of your business. In this webinar, Dr. Michael Gillen, Head of OSH Policy will review the key points to consider, practical steps and control measures you can put in place. Virtual, 26 November 11:00 - 11:45 InterTradeIreland, Trade Series: Understanding ESG & Sustainability This free webinar will help businesses understand ESG principles, sustainability strategies, and practical steps for compliance and growth. It will cover reporting requirements, risk management, and opportunities for SMEs. Gain practical insights into how ESG and sustainability practices can help your business remain competitive, compliant, and future-ready, as well as an overview of emerging ESG and Sustainability reporting requirements. Online, Wednesday 26 November 2025, 11:00am–12:30pm EY, Four Futures: Exploring Climate Scenarios This immersive workshop invites people to step into the year 2055 and explore four distinct climate scenarios—Business As Usual, Transform, Constrain, and Collapse. Enhanced by the CCaSS team, this updated iteration incorporates the latest insights on climate impacts in Ireland. Participants will dive deeper into key drivers of climate change and examine how Business As Usual and Transform scenarios affect society, business, and the economy. EY Offices, Harcourt Street, Dublin, , D02 YA40, Friday 28 November – Friday 5 December 2025 Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University,  SMEs - Learning about Nature and Biodiversity This is the first in a series of three free webinars from the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business aimed at SMEs curious about nature and biodiversity links to business activity. This session provides a natural science introduction to ecosystems and explains how these aspects impact business operations, with examples from different sectors. Virtual, Thursday 15 January 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, Starting Your Journey with Tools and Frameworks Second in the series, this webinar explores tools and frameworks that support decision-making for nature and biodiversity, including the Natural Capital Protocol and TNFD. Learn how these approaches help businesses identify relevant priorities and communicate outcomes effectively. Virtual, Thursday 12 February 2026, 8:00am – 9: 00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business - Lancaster University, What Does ‘Good’ Look Like in Corporate Reporting? The final session in the Pentland Centre’s free webinar series for SMEs explores what effective reporting on nature and biodiversity looks like. Drawing on global examples, this webinar highlights best practices and practical approaches for integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate reporting. Virtual, Thursday 12 March 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am | 4.00pm – 5.00pm   Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.  

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about the report warning how extreme weather events will test Ireland’s economic and financial resilience and the Department of Finance’s report into potential long-term impacts of global megatrends, like climate change, on Ireland’s economy and public finances. Also covered is the announcement by the EIB of new support to develop Ireland’s district heating systems, the agreement by EU Member States on emissions targets, the proposed changes to carbon accounting, and the landmark European Court of Human Rights ruling setting a precedent for climate accountability, as well as the usual articles, jobs and upcoming events.   IRELAND Report into climate adaptation finance identifies shortfalls in Ireland’s resilience A new joint report by the Climate Change Advisory Council and the Central Bank of Ireland has warned that the deployment of climate adaptation finance is below what is required to address the escalating risks posed by climate change. Without action, the impact of extreme weather events will test Ireland’s economic and financial resilience. The report, Funding Climate Adaptation in Ireland, emphasises the importance of credible transition plans to build resilience in the financial sector and contribute to a resilient economy. Actionable solutions include transition planning that incorporates adaptation, and the development of scalable, investable project models, and a register of successful adaptation projects to build momentum and share solutions. Report publishes on long-term fiscal and economic assessment of Ireland’s needs The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, has published Future Forty: A Fiscal and Economic Outlook to 2065 examining the long-term impacts of global megatrends and other structural shifts and their potential impact on Ireland’s economy and public finances in the years ahead. In total, over 2,000 scenarios have been modelled, which collectively point to a continued growth in living standards, but with slowing growth over the long-term, and a steady decline of our fiscal position. Among the key economic and fiscal drivers identified as contributing to this is the long-term costs of decarbonisation and climate mitigation along with demographic shifts and slowing productivity, and a slowdown in corporation tax receipts. The next decade is highlighted as a window of critical opportunity to boost economic growth potential, address the structural challenges and avail of the opportunities that may lie ahead. Ireland responds to EU’s proposed 2040 climate target Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the EU’s agreement on a proposed 2040 climate target and updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) (see below), praising in particular its recognition of “the particular characteristics of our agriculture sector” and the importance of energy affordability and social cohesion. The announcement follows the publication of reports by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ireland is significantly off  track to meet its legally binding 2030 emissions reduction goals, with agriculture accounting for over 37.8 percent of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions — the largest share of any sector. Other reports point to continued degradation of Ireland’s water quality caused by excess nutrients from agriculture, urban wastewater and other human activities. Separately, Taoiseach Michael Martin attended the two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Belém, Brazil, which brings together heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organizations to discuss pressing climate change challenges and commitments. Commenting, Taoiseach Martin said that there needs to be more leaders "ready to tell it as it is" and that Ireland is adapting by investing in flood relief schemes and coastal defences, early-warning systems and sustainable agriculture and industrial practices. Over the coming weeks Chartered Accountants Ireland will provide coverage of the climate summit, and potential impacts to business on its Sustainability Centre. European Investment Bank (EIB) announces new supports for Ireland’s district heating The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced new technical and financial advisory support to help Ireland develop district heating systems. Heating accounts for more than one-third of Ireland’s energy-related emissions, with more than 80 percent of households still relying on fossil fuels. District heating—common across Nordic and central European countries—offers a proven way to decarbonise heating by using renewable, waste, and low-carbon heat sources. It also provides more stable, predictable costs and the opportunity to shield connected households from market volatility.  Ireland’s networks currently supply less than 1 percent of national heat demand, highlighting a major opportunity for growth. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has opened an Expression of Interest (EoI) through the SEAI website, for interested parties to be considered for the fund. EUROPE Member States agree on emissions targets Member States of the European Union have agreed on new EU Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). This annual global climate change conference begins in Belém, Brazil, on 10 November. The new EU NDC, which will now be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is to reduce net GHG emissions by 66.25 –72.5 % below 1990 levels by 2035, and by 90 percent by 2040. The agreement followed protracted talks among environment ministers in Brussels and included flexibility about how that target could be met, such as the ability to buy carbon “credits” to allow EU countries to finance climate action elsewhere and count that financing towards up to 5 percent of their own reduction targets. This has drawn criticism as allowing for carbon credits means the actual impact on reductions in emissions could be lower than what is needed to arrest climate change. The 2040 climate target can become law following approval by MEPs in the European Parliament. European Union ‘largely on track’ to achieve 2030 targets A report published by the European Environment Agency has found that the European Union remains largely on track to achieve its 2030 targets to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. Trends and projections in Europe 2025 estimates that total net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by a further 2.5 percent in 2024. It further found that EU Member States are expected to collectively achieve a net emissions reduction of 54 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, which is just under the 55 percent reduction target. The report also notes that while several developments will require focused attention in the coming years, the foundation for progress is in place: recent years have seen a rapid acceleration in emission reductions and the emergence of numerous technological and policy solutions. However, it also underscores the scale of the remaining challenge — in particular, the need to strengthen more resilient carbon sinks, accelerate transport decarbonisation and ensure delivery at national level. Separately the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) review of national climate adaptation actions highlights that while European countries have made substantial progress in planning for climate adaptation and with adopting policies, implementation and evaluation need to be significantly strengthened to ensure actions effectively address the escalating climate risks Europe faces. WORLD COP30 “Return on Action” Campaign The We Mean Business Coalition, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and partners are inviting companies to participate in the COP30 “Return on Action” campaign. The initiative showcases how corporate climate action is delivering tangible benefits — from green jobs and energy security to cost savings and sustainable growth. The aim is to “send a clear signal to Heads of State, environment ministers, fellow corporate leaders and concerned citizens, that business remains committed to deliver on the promise of the Paris Agreement” .Their goal is to take over the online conversation for 24 hours during the COP30 negotiations, thereby generating media coverage, and “send an unmissable message to policy makers and the public about the unstoppable momentum of corporate climate leadership.” Businesses are encouraged to submit case studies demonstrating impact, which will be reshared globally on 12 November during COP30 to highlight collective momentum and reinforce commitment to the Paris Agreement. For more information or to get involved, contact cop@wmbcoalition.org  or access the Q&A here. Proposed changes to carbon accounting The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the leading international standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions from companies and governments, has launched a public consultation for updates to its guidance on Scope 2 emissions, i.e. emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling. The proposed revisions aim to improve accuracy while keeping reporting clear, consistent, and manageable for organisations of all sizes and reflecting the world’s rapidly changing energy landscape. Proposals involve stricter requirements for both location- and market-based reporting, with final revisions expected in 2027. The 60-day public consultation period began on October 20, 2025 and will run until December 19, 2025. Landmark ruling sets precedent for climate accountability The European Court of Human Rights has reportedly set a precedent for climate accountability in a landmark ruling on the case of Greenpeace Nordic and Others v. Norway. The Court held that when making a decision in the context of the environment and climate change, the State had to carry out an adequate, timely and comprehensive environmental impact assessment in good faith, and based on the best available science. The case began in 2016 with Greenpeace Nordic, Nature and Youth, and six activists challenging Norway’s decision to open parts of the Barents Sea to oil exploration, arguing that the licences violated their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The impact of setting science-based targets on businesses The SBTi has released a new report demonstrating that science-based targets deliver competitive advantage—not just climate impact. In The Impact of Setting Science-Based Targets on Businesses report, a survey of 171 companies, a literature review of 22 studies, and three case studies indicate that companies benefit from a wide range of positive effects as a result of setting science-based targets. This ranges from improved investor relations to better financing terms, enhanced strategic cohesion, more alignment with suppliers, and resilience across multiple areas of risk, in addition to higher climate ambition and a faster pace of decarbonisation. Articles Turning Uncertainty into Action: Why Every Business Needs a Climate Transition Plan (IBEC) DEI isn’t dead, it’s just reincarnating (Financial Times) Climate and affordability are at the heart of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral bid (Sustainable Views – Subscription needed) Critical minerals shortage threatens EU energy transition (Accountancy Ireland - Briefly)   Jobs Financial Services - Climate Change and Sustainability Services - Senior Consultant (EY)   Events Business for Biodiversity Ireland, Supporting Action for Business & Biodiversity BFBI, in partnership with Waterford City & County Council Climate Action Team, will host a free webinar to help Irish businesses understand their relationship with nature and develop a strong Nature Strategy. The session will explore how biodiversity adds value and resilience to organisations. Online, 11 November 2025, 11:00am–12:00pm Irish Green Building Council, IGBC Lunch & Learn: Promoting Business Benefits of Sustainable Strategies for SMEs This one-hour webinar, hosted in collaboration with Bank of Ireland, explores how SMEs can unlock business value through sustainability—covering cost savings, brand enhancement, and access to financial supports, with expert insights and practical tools including the Sustainability Business Coach Virtual, Wednesday 12 November 2025, 1:00pm – 2:00pm Ibec Networks Autumn Seminar Series, Session 4: The culture of sustainability innovation The final webinar in a four-part series Autumn Seminar Series ‘The culture equation’ looks at what supports are available to assist on a journey to becoming a more sustainable business. In the supporting case study from O'Brien's Fine Foods the webinar will discuss what drives a sustainability focused culture in an organisation. Virtual, Thursday 13 November, 11.00-11.50am Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), SEAI Webinar: Supporting SMEs on the Path to Sustainability This webinar will explore how small and medium-sized enterprises can adopt sustainable practices, reduce energy costs, and access available supports. The session will include expert guidance and practical tools tailored to SME needs. Virtual, Thursday 14 November 2025, 11:00am – 12:00pm  iQuest / Business Post Live, ESG Summit Autumn 2025 This ESG Summit will explore how sustainability is becoming central to business strategy. With a focus on regulatory shifts, climate transition planning, ESG data governance, and nature-positive outcomes, the event brings together business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals to share insights and practical strategies. In-person, 20 November 2025, 8:45am–5:00pm, Croke Park, Dublin  Business in the Community Ireland, Launch of Ireland’s First Climate Transition Plan Scorecard BITCI, in partnership with DCU Institute for Climate and Society, will launch Ireland’s first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard. The Scorecard assesses corporate climate plans across nine key areas and is part of BITCI’s Accelerate campaign. In-person, 20 November 2025, 3:00pm–4:00pm (wine reception until 5:00pm),  Sky Suite, Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 IBEC, Preparing for Severe Weather Events Severe weather conditions can cause major disruption to roads, bus or train infrastructure and therefore, the operation of your business. In this webinar, Dr. Michael Gillen, Head of OSH Policy will review the key points to consider, practical steps and control measures you can put in place. Virtual, 26 November 11:00 - 11:45 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Network for Chartered Accountants working in ESG This informal network offers Chartered Accountants working in ESG/Sustainability a space to connect, share insights, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the field. Members working on ESG-related projects are encouraged to join and contribute to the conversation. Online, 19 November 2025, 2:00pm–3:00pm, Email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie to join   Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.