In this week’s sustainability/ESG bulletin we bring you news of the Institute’s response to the public consultation on draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs), Ireland’s progress towards achieving its UN climate action goals, the passing of the climate bill in the US this month, and the usual articles, podcasts and upcoming events.
Institute responds to public consultation on draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards
The Institute has issued its response to the public consultation on draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs), prepared by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).
Under the Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD), the European Commission have proposed changes to the nature and extent of sustainability reporting in the EU over the coming years. The CSRD proposes mandated European Sustainability Reporting Standards and aims to strengthen sustainability reporting requirements currently mandated under the Non-Financial Reporting Directive.
Ireland and SDG 13 – ‘Climate Action’
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) this month published its report Goal 13 - Climate Action 2021 on Ireland’s progress towards meeting Goal 13 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’). The SDGs are the global development targets adopted by UN member countries in September 2015 to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The CSO report was developed in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Environmental Protection Agency. It shows that in 2020 Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) per capita by country were the second highest in Europe, and that they rose again in 2021.
US passes ‘most meaningful climate bill ever’
This month the US passed the Inflation Reduction Act, described as “the most meaningful climate bill ever passed in the US”. Among other things, the Act earmarks $369 billion for clean energy and climate-change mitigation initiatives, and is expected to reduce US Green House Gas emissions by 2030 to approximately 40 percent compared to 2005-levels. Find out more here.
Podcast
Diarmuid Torney, Associate Professor School of Law and Government DCU and member of the Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability Expert Working Group is the guest on the Newstalk podcast 5 Degrees of Change. Diarmuid is one of Ireland's leading experts in climate governance and climate law.
Articles
Upcoming events
- ICAEW, Modern Slavery - responsibility, detection and accountability (Link) 1 Sept, 8:30 - 9:30
- (NI) 2022 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland, (Link), 8 Sept
- Dublin Climate Action Week (Link), 12-17 Sept
- Chartered Accountants Ireland, Virtual CPD Update, 15 Sept: The Leinster Society sessions will take place from 1:00- 3:00 covering the topic of ESG (Link)
- IFAC/A4S, Exploring the critical role of CFOs and finance teams in the climate transition (Link), 21 Sept 9:00 (EDT)
- (DEARA NI) Webinar on tackling problem waste streams, 23 Sept 2022, 10:00-12:00
- Biodiversity Essentials programme, (Link) (funded), 28 Sept 9.30-11.00 | 19 Oct 2:30-5:00
- Sustainable Finance Ireland, Ireland Climate Finance Week, 17-21 Oct
- Ecosystems Knowledge Network, Natural Capital Finance & Investment Conference, 19 Oct (London) 20 Oct (Edinburgh)
You can find information, guidance and supports to help members understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.