Tag: esg

KINTO Join Ltd. launches 360° sustainability solution

KINTO Join Ltd, the leading provider of full service ESG solutions, today announces the launch of its new 360° sustainability solution, KINTO Zero. This is an end-to-end service featuring expert consultancy, an ESG reporting platform, and practical actionable tools – including the sustainable mobility platform, KINTO Join.

Merging global standards with innovative technology, KINTO Zero helps organisations to reduce their carbon emissions and enhance their sustainability performance. Supported by Toyota Financial Services under the global KINTO brand, the platform enables organisations to collect and track data and generate audit-ready, compliance reports. In turn, it supports carbon accounting, reduction and offsetting pathways.

As part of the KINTO Zero solution, organisations also gain access to professional ESG consultancy services. These include Double Materiality Assessments (DMA) – to access a company’s priorities for their ESG strategy and reporting, comprehensive gap analysis, and the creation of tailored action plans. The solution also provides guidance on all reporting requirements – such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires organisation to lower their carbon footprint and is set for widescale adoption in 2026.

Alongside reporting capabilities and consultancy services, the offering includes access to the KINTO Join platform which allows organisations to benefit from and implement sustainable mobility solutions.

To celebrate the launch of KINTO Zero, KINTO Join Ltd. is inviting organisations to avail of its enterprise-grade commuting carbon calculator, free of charge. Using greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol, the calculator assesses an organisation’s commuting emissions through a customisable survey. This enables them to better understand how their staff or students travel and track commuting emissions over an extended period of time.

From a business perspective, the launch of KINTO Zero is expected to accelerate growth for KINTO Join Ltd. and strengthen its position in the growing ESG reporting software market, which is currently valued at $1.29B and is projected to be worth approximately $3.9B by 2032. As well as meeting the increasing demand for transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability, KINTO Zero will see KINTO Join Ltd. better support its customers and commuters in Ireland.

Its recent piece of research – Ireland on the Move report – revealed that 39% of commuters believe their university or workplace has a responsibility to take action to meet sustainability goals and regulations. However, only 26% believe their university or workplace is doing a good job at meeting sustainability goals and regulations.

Patrizia Niehuas, CEO, KINTO Join Ltd., said: “The introduction of KINTO Zero to our service offering further strengthens our position as a leading player within corporate sustainability. By integrating KINTO Zero with KINTO Join, organisations will not only be able to track and report their sustainability metrics more effectively but also take meaningful action towards reducing their carbon footprint.”

“As regulatory requirements and employee expectations continue to grow, adopting sustainable practices has never been more important. It also makes sense as organisations can empower their people and help the planet. These individual steps to drive towards ESG goals will ultimately spearhead a more sustainable future that we can collectively enjoy.”

How to Identify the Best Sustainability Courses for Business Leaders?

The need to be sustainable has never been as intense in the current fast moving business environment. Leaders understand that it is not only a moral but a strategic need to incorporate the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The drivers of this change are the growing stakeholder demands, the regulation requirements, and the effects of the climate change and social inequality. The rate of change in this paradigm is fast leading to the need of specialized knowledge and skills in sustainable business practices.

ESG courses come in at this stage and provide a systematic way in which professionals can enrich their knowledge and improve their ability to effect positive change. However, with an increase in the number of offerings, how does a business leader with a keen sense of discernment identify the most sound sustainability courses that genuinely align with their career aspirations and organizational needs? This guide will explore key considerations all of which can assist you to navigate through the education landscape and make an informed choice that can launch your leadership in the sustainable age.

Understanding Your Needs and Goals

Before you find a sustainability course, you need to assess what you already know, what you want to achieve in your career and what concerns you in an organization. Specify the need or not of a simple understanding or technical expertise in areas like finance of renewable energy, circular economy responses, or sustainable supply chain control. The reason this is necessary is in order to assist in customizing your educational experience in a way that it may have maximum impact on your professional life and your organizations endeavors to be sustainable.

Take into account your status, such as executive, manager or future professional to distinguish between introductory courses, specialized certifications, and executive education courses. Such self-evaluation will assist in narrowing down, making sure that the course fits your particular needs.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Sustainability Courses

When you have quite a clear picture of your needs, you may start to assess the possible sustainability courses according to a number of important parameters. These are the requirements that will assist you in determining the quality and appropriateness of a program and therefore will give the best returns in terms of investment in terms of time and resource usage.

1. Curriculum Relevance and Depth

Review course syllabus. Find a curriculum that is both theoretically and practically balanced with a range of case studies and practical projects. As a leader, a course that explores strategic sustainability, risk management, stakeholder engagement and impact measurement are of special value.

2. Faculty Expertise and Industry Experience

Conduct an investigation on the faculty. Are they well-educated, experienced in the industry and with successful sustainability history? Their life experience may be invaluable.

3. Program Format and Flexibility

Bear in mind the format that most effectively fits your learning style and schedule: face-to-face, online, hybrid, self-paced, or cohort-based. Online courses are flexible, yet they offer enough possibilities in terms of communication.

4. Accreditation and Reputation

The reputation of the institution offering the same and accreditation by known organizations can lend a lot of weight. Search through testimonials, networks and industry reputation that can help determine the status of a program.

5. Networking Opportunities

The courses that provide strong networking with other business leaders, sustainability professionals and faculty can be incredibly useful. Such networks are capable of producing new knowledge, collaborations and employment.

6. Practical Application and Impact

Does the course focus on the practical tools, frameworks, and methods you can apply in your position immediately? Find programs where the participants are encouraged to come up with projects or strategies that can be implemented.

Types of Sustainability Courses for Business Leaders

To narrow your search further, it is useful to know the various types of sustainability courses they offer that are aligned to different learning outcomes and career levels:

1. Executive Education Programs

Targeted at top managers and executives, such programs usually provide a strategic perspective on sustainability, including bringing the factors of ESG into business strategy, risk management and corporate governance. They can be short, intensive and offered by the best business schools and they offer high-level information without a long-term academic commitment. Such programs are suitable to busy professionals who should get the strategic implications of sustainability fast.

2. Graduate Degrees and Certificates

To go a little further and gain a formal degree, one can choose MBA programs with a sustainability focus, a Master’s degree in Environmental Management, or a graduate certificate. They offer in-depth information in multiple areas of sustainability and are best suited to individuals in the field who intend to make a radical career shift towards full-time sustainability work or to enhance their professional competence to a new level. They tend to include intense academic research and study.

3. Online Courses and MOOCs

Online courses such as Coursera, edX and university-specific online courses are less rigid and can be less expensive. These may be basic courses that offer a basic knowledge to the highly specialized subjects which may enable you to study at your own speed. Some of them are self-paced, whereas others can have cohort-based learning, where the instructor interacts and learners collaborate with each other, as it offers a structured but flexible learning environment.

4. Professional Certifications

Professional accreditation in certain fields of sustainability, e.g., LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) of green building, or sustainable finance, are offered by multiple organizations. They are superb in showing specialized knowledge in a specific field and may make you have more credibility in certain areas of the industry. They frequently need to take an exam and may need further education.

5. Custom Corporate Training

Individual organizations have custom sustainability training programs available in many institutions and consulting firms. In case the company is interested in upskilling a group of people or solving certain sustainability issues that are specific to your industry, then a bespoke course can be developed to meet those specific requirements. The programs are offered locally or online and are very useful in creating a sense of collective comprehension and uniformity of approach to sustainability in an organization.

Emerging Trends in Sustainability Education

Sustainability is a dynamic discipline and education does capture the same. The important trends to consider during selection of course include:

1. ESG Integration and Reporting

The most important courses are those that concentrate on strong ESG integration in financial decision-making, performance measurement and transparent reporting. It is essential to learn such frameworks as SASB, GRI, TCFD.

2. Circular Economy Principles

Courses that provide practical strategies of introducing circularity in a business operation are very helpful.

3. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

Climate risk assessment, adaptation plans, and low-carbon transition plans education is on the rise.

4. Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions

Courses that delve into nature-based solutions, ecosystem services and how they can be incorporated in the business models are leading.

5. Digital Tools and Data Analytics

Find programs that include data analytics, AI, and blockchain use in sustainability management.

6. Social Equity and Just Transition

Holistic leadership requires courses that consider human rights, labor practices, community engagement, and a just transition to all the stakeholders.

Conclusion

Making a proper sustainability course choice is a landmark decision of every business leader who is interested in managing the intricacies of the contemporary economy and making a positive change. It is an investment in your personal development, as well as the future effectiveness and strength of your organization.

After critically analyzing your own needs, examining curriculum relevance, evaluating faculty competency, and program format and reputation, then you can be sure that you have chosen a program that gives you the knowledge and skills needed to become a leader in the sustainable age. Sustainability education is a multifaceted landscape with opportunities at all the levels of experience and aspiration. You are seeking to have a general knowledge base, become the specialist in a certain field, or bring the transformative change to the executive stage, you will find the course that will help you achieve your goals.

The knowledge you will acquire during such programs will enable you to incorporate the environment, social, and governance aspect in the main business strategies, which will promote innovation, reduce risks, and build long-term value to all the stakeholders. Finally, it is not only a matter of compliance or reputation when investing in high-quality Sustainability courses; it is a matter of creating a more sustainable, fair, and successful future of your business and the world.

Finalists Announced for the 2025 Repak Resource Awards

Repak announced the finalists for the 2025 Repak Resource Awards. The newly named awards which replace the Pakman Awards are Ireland’s leading environmental and sustainability awards, and celebrate Ireland’s leaders in waste prevention, reuse, circular design, and community-led environmental initiatives.
The addition of two new categories; the Circular Community Award and the Circular Design Award celebrate community-led efforts and innovation in sustainable design. Each category in the programme highlights the creativity, leadership and impact of businesses tackling Ireland’s pressing environmental challenges.
Finalists this year include Dairygold Co-Operative Society, Meath Camogie, Rubbish Film Festival, An Post and the Paint Reuse Network. Community projects by Joe Bonner, Food Cloud, and Blessington Tourist Office & Blessington Allotments have also been shortlisted. This year, twelve winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Shelbourne Hotel on Thursday, 23rd October 2025.
The Repak Resource Awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in the environmental sector, honouring those who lead in sustainability and environmental efforts, including grassroots initiatives, design innovations and cross-sector collaboration, which are becoming essential drivers of circular change.
Each category winner is eligible for the Overall Repak Resource Award, which celebrates outstanding achievements in recycling and waste management, innovation and grassroots environmental action.
Further finalists include Flamers Ltd in the Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services award category, IQUTECH in the Battery & WEEE Champion award category and Badger & Dodo in the Circular Design award category. Nominees for the ESG Leader award include Jason Carolan from Aldi, Kurt Kyck fromKMK Metals Recycling and Dr Sarah Miller from the Rediscovery Centre.
Commenting on the announcement of the 2025 Repak Resource Awards finalists, Repak CEO, Zoe Kavanagh said: “We have received an unprecedented number of entries, and I am delighted to announce the category finalists for the 2025 Repak Resource Awards. By expanding the focus beyond traditional waste management, the Repak Resource Awards aim to capture the full spectrum of circular innovation happening across the country.
The Repak Resource Awards recognise businesses, organisations, and community initiatives that demonstrate exceptional dedication not only to recycling and waste management, but also innovation in circular design, responsible resource use, and grassroots environmental action. We are excited to celebrate those who are leading the way to a greener, sustainable future for Ireland, and we look forward to welcoming all finalists to the awards ceremony on Thursday, 23rd October.”
The complete list of finalists for the Repak Resource Awards 2025 includes:
·         Battery and WEEE Champion
o    Castletroy College
o    IQUTECH
o    Aldi
·         Business Recycling Champion
o    Swords Pavilions
o    Boots Ireland
o    Dairygold Co-Operative Society
·         Environmental Education and Community Initiative
o    Rubbish Film Festival
o    Regional Waste Management Planning Offices
o    Dublin City Farm & Ecology Centre
·         Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services
o    KMK Metals Recycling Ltd
o    Flamers Ltd
o    CJ Sheeran Limited
·         Circular Community Award
o    Food Cloud
o    Joe Bonner
o    Blessington Tourist Office & Blessington Allotments
·         Waste Prevention Award
o    Swords Pavilions
o    Rebox
o    The Paint Reuse Network
·         Waste Recovery Operator and Facility Award
o    KWD Recycling
o    LPP
o    Soltec
·         Circular Design Award
o    Kellanova
o    An Post
o    Badger & Dodo
·         Best Single-Use Plastic Initiative
o    Coghlan’s Bakery
o    Glenpatrick Spring Water Ltd & Kilkenny Nutritional Ltd
o    Shabra Plastics & Recycling Ltd
·         Best Deposit Return Initiative
o    Meals on Wheels Courtown
o    Lidl Ireland
o    Meath Camogie
·         Tyre Champion
o    Addible Ltd
o    Heffernan Tyres
·         ESG Leader Award

o

  • Kurt Kyck from KMK Metals Recycling
  • Jason Carolan from Aldi
The 2025 Repak Resource Awards are proudly sponsored by AMCS, Circol ELT, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, DNV, Environmental Protection Agency, European Recycling Platform, Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), Local Authorities of Ireland, Panda, Re-turn, and WEEE Ireland.
For more information, visit https://repak.ie/resource-awards

Ireland’s Cold Chain Gets Smarter: The Growing Role of Freezer Containers in Food and Pharma Logistics

Ireland’s logistics landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution. As global expectations around product safety, regulatory compliance, and temperature-sensitive supply chains intensify, Irish industries are rethinking how they move perishable goods. The humble freezer container, once used primarily for short-term storage or local delivery, has become a cornerstone of cold chain innovation across both the food and pharmaceutical sectors. With demand for precision, reliability, and scalability increasing, freezer containers are now at the heart of smarter, more resilient logistics strategies.

From the rural farmlands of Cork to the biopharmaceutical clusters of Dublin and Limerick, freezer containers are making their mark by offering flexible, technology-driven solutions that match the unique challenges of Ireland’s geography and climate. Whether it’s ensuring seafood reaches European markets with peak freshness or maintaining strict storage conditions for vaccines and biologics, these containers are reshaping the cold chain—and with it, Ireland’s global competitiveness in export-led industries.

Food Exports Meet Fresh Expectations

Ireland’s food sector is one of its most prized economic engines, with exports ranging from premium dairy to fresh seafood and grass-fed beef. But freshness, once a matter of hours, is now a matter of data and logistics. As international buyers demand more traceability, quality assurance, and minimal environmental impact, Irish producers are turning to freezer containers to maintain optimal temperature control from farm to fork.

These containers provide a level of mobility and reliability that traditional fixed refrigeration infrastructure often cannot. For rural producers or seasonal exporters, freezer containers offer the freedom to scale up or down without the need for costly permanent facilities. This is particularly relevant during harvest seasons, seafood spawning periods, or major global trade events when demand and supply fluctuate.

Furthermore, freezer containers allow for pre-cooling at source, reducing the risk of spoilage during transport. With many models now equipped with GPS and IoT-enabled temperature monitoring, producers can access real-time data that satisfies both EU and global food safety regulations. This not only supports better export outcomes but also elevates Ireland’s brand as a trusted supplier of premium-grade, responsibly handled food products.

Pharma Demands Absolute Precision

Ireland is home to some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturing sites, with a significant share of global drug formulations and biologics originating from its shores. In this sector, logistics is not just about timely delivery—it’s about exactitude. The margin for error in transporting temperature-sensitive compounds such as vaccines, cell therapies, or diagnostic reagents is virtually zero.

Freezer containers are now playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of these high-value assets. Unlike standard refrigeration options, these containers offer ultra-low temperature settings, capable of sustaining environments well below -20°C or even -70°C, depending on the requirement. This is critical for mRNA vaccines and other biologics that are particularly vulnerable to thermal excursions.

In an industry governed by stringent regulatory frameworks such as Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and EU GMP guidelines, having a robust and validated cold chain is essential. Freezer containers offer a high degree of control and documentation, often integrated with automated alert systems and audit trails. Their modular nature also means they can be deployed at production sites, shipping terminals, or distribution hubs, providing seamless continuity in temperature control from manufacturing to last-mile delivery.

Flexible Infrastructure for Unpredictable Markets

One of the key benefits of freezer containers lies in their adaptability. Ireland’s food and pharma markets, while mature, are not immune to disruption. Brexit, global supply chain volatility, pandemic shocks, and shifting trade regulations have all highlighted the need for agile infrastructure that can respond to real-time changes.

Traditional cold storage warehouses, while effective, are often limited by geography and capital expenditure. In contrast, freezer containers can be deployed wherever they’re needed—on a farm, outside a factory, near a port, or at a mobile distribution point. This flexibility makes them ideal for buffering sudden demand spikes or navigating logistics bottlenecks.

Temporary cold storage has also proven vital during crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, freezer containers were used to store vaccines, PPE, and diagnostic kits across Ireland’s health infrastructure. This use case revealed just how quickly modular cold chain assets could be mobilised in a national emergency, and has since informed policy around strategic reserves and pharmaceutical preparedness.

Beyond crisis response, this agility allows companies to trial new markets without heavy upfront investment. A seafood exporter, for instance, can test distribution in continental Europe by positioning a few freezer containers at strategic locations—getting real-world logistics insights without building out a full-scale warehouse operation.

Smart Technology Enhances Oversight and Compliance

Today’s freezer containers are not just cold boxes—they’re intelligent logistics tools. Equipped with remote temperature tracking, humidity controls, shock sensors, and real-time diagnostics, these containers offer unparalleled visibility across the cold chain. For both food and pharma sectors, this kind of oversight is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity.

Regulatory bodies are increasingly expecting data logs, proof of continuous temperature integrity, and rapid response to any deviations. IoT-enabled freezer containers automate this process, sending instant alerts if thresholds are breached and ensuring swift corrective action. This not only safeguards cargo but also protects businesses from reputational and regulatory fallout.

For pharmaceutical companies, the stakes are particularly high. Products compromised by temperature excursions may need to be discarded—even if the breach was brief or occurred late in the chain. With smart freezer containers, companies can document every moment of the journey, satisfying regulators and giving assurance to downstream partners and patients alike.

The analytics layer also allows for proactive optimisation. By analysing historical data from shipments, companies can fine-tune their logistics strategies, choose better transport routes, or adjust pre-cooling practices. Over time, this leads to a leaner, more efficient supply chain with less waste and greater reliability.

Sustainability Under the Microscope

Sustainability is no longer a fringe concern in logistics—it’s central. As both consumers and regulatory bodies place greater emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, freezer containers are also evolving to meet green goals. New-generation units are built with energy-efficient insulation, solar-assisted power systems, and eco-friendly refrigerants that lower their environmental impact.

In Ireland, where climate commitments are shaping future infrastructure and trade policies, adopting greener logistics solutions is becoming a competitive advantage. Food and pharma companies that integrate sustainable cold chain practices not only comply with regulations but also boost their ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) profiles—an increasingly important factor for international buyers and investors.

Moreover, the circular economy benefits of freezer containers are hard to ignore. These units can be reused across multiple projects, repurposed for new industries, or even upcycled for community use. Unlike fixed storage that may sit idle during low-demand periods, containers can be leased, redeployed, or returned—ensuring better resource use and reduced waste.

Conclusion: The Future of Cold Logistics Is Modular, Smart, and Sustainable

Ireland’s position as a global leader in food and pharma exports is no accident—but sustaining that leadership in a post-pandemic, climate-conscious world requires forward-thinking infrastructure. Freezer containers are helping Irish businesses meet the moment. By providing mobility, precision, sustainability, and smart oversight, they address the complex demands of modern cold chain logistics head-on.

More than just temperature-controlled units, freezer containers are strategic assets. They offer scalability for producers, precision for pharmaceutical giants, and security for regulators and consumers alike. In embracing this modular approach, Ireland is not only preserving product quality—it’s investing in supply chain resilience and global trust.

Bank of Ireland launches Sustainable Business Coach online platform for SMEs

Bank of Ireland has launched its new Sustainable Business Coach online platform, a free digital tool designed to support SME business customers with sustainability planning and to identify their ESG priorities.

Sustainable Business Coach, which is unique in the Irish market, is designed as an ESG questionnaire with businesses answering a series of multiple-choice questions. The results of the online assessment, which can be conducted at a pace that suits each business, provides a concise summary of their current sustainability position and covers key action areas such as:

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Employee engagement
  • Energy usage
  • Procurement
  • Water & waste management

Recent research conducted by Bank of Ireland revealed that a majority of SMEs are unclear on how to implement sustainable growth plans, with over 70% concerned about the impact ESG requirements could have on their own enterprises. Sustainable Business Coach provides SMEs with a structured roadmap to make meaningful progress in the sustainability space, with the online platform underpinned by a globally recognised framework based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The launch of the easily accessible and free-of charge Sustainable Business Coach further enhances Bank of Ireland’s ESG ambitions, with the Bank on track to deliver its end-2025 sustainability-related lending target of €15 billion earlier than anticipated.

John Feeney, CEO, Corporate and Commercial, Bank of Ireland said: “‘Bank of Ireland is delighted to launch a new, free digital sustainability tool focused on Irish SMEs. Many of our business customers face time and resource challenges. Our goal is to deliver an easy-to-use online tool that can provide businesses with a practical and quick plan to support sustainability decision making.”

To find out more about the Bank of Ireland Sustainable Business Coach please click here: Bank of Ireland – Sustainability Coach    

Xiaomi’s New Report Reaffirms Its Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation

Xiaomi is pleased to share the release of its seventh annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting the company’s ongoing leadership in accessible technology, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, and circular economy practices.

At COP29 in November 2024, Xiaomi unveiled a new strategy for sustainable development, placing greater emphasis on inclusive products, technology equality, and its “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem strategy, designed to deliver a smart, sustainable lifestyle for consumers. 

 As part of its commitment to a more inclusive digital experience, Xiaomi enhanced its TalkBack feature, enabling accurate recognition and real-time narration of text in images, providing users with visual impairments a more seamless ‘reading’ experience.

In terms of climate action, Xiaomi not only sets greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for its own operations but also requires its smartphone supply chain partners to adopt equivalent GHG reduction measures. By 2030, suppliers must reduce annual carbon emissions by at least 5% (based on 2024 levels) and use a minimum of 25% renewable electricity. By 2050, 100% renewable electricity usage is required.

Xiaomi also carries out electronic waste recycling programs worldwide and plans to recycle a total of 38,000 tons of electronic waste over five years (2022 to 2026) and achieved 95.94% of this target as of the end of 2024.

Xiaomi remains committed to driving innovation and breakthroughs toward a better future through its ongoing pursuit of sustainable development. For further details, view the full report here.

EY launches Global Sustainable Finance Innovation Hub in Dublin to accelerate ESG progress for financial firms

EY today announces the launch of a new Sustainable Finance Innovation Hub in Dublin to help financial institutions around the world accelerate their efforts to meet their environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulatory and reporting requirements.

EY Ireland’s existing financial services sustainable finance team will more than triple in size over the coming months with an additional 40 specialist hires planned to span the three pillars of ESG. The new hub, which will be led by EY Ireland Financial Services partner Sean MacHale, is projecting double digit growth over the next twelve months as it ramps up to meet growing client demand around the world.

The Dublin hub will be augmented by a network of individuals with deep sustainability expertise across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the US, who will come together to deliver the latest thinking and advice to clients on ESG reporting, with a particular focus on the areas of biodiversity & nature, EU regulation, international goals, among others.

Colin Ryan, EY Ireland Financial Services Country Lead, comments: “The financial services sector plays a central role in the transition to a more sustainable future and we are now significantly expanding our capacity to deliver end-to-end sustainable finance transformation services to clients in the sector. The addition of 40 specialist hires across the three pillars of ESG will see our Dublin hub become a globally significant centre for innovation in the area of sustainable financial services. The sector must comply with an increasing volume of regulatory requirements over the coming years, and many firms already face multiple deadlines this year alone. Our new hub will support firms to more effectively report on their activity and will help clients ensure that they remain compliant with the evolving regulatory environment.”

Sean MacHale, EY Ireland Partner and Financial Services Sustainable Finance Leader, says: “The requirement for tangible progress on ESG matters in the financial sector has intensified of late. Firms face pressing regulatory reporting and disclosure demands and must demonstrate transparency and accountability when it comes to the progress they are making towards Net Zero goals and positive environmental impacts in a socially inclusive manner”.

“Managing the global flow of capital means the financial sector has a unique ability to drive material positive change, and we are really proud to support firms on their continuing ESG journey.”

Fidelma Clarke, Financial Services Risk Consulting Partner, comments: “With so much activity in the area of sustainability reporting right now, it’s important that our clients have the resources they need to keep pace. We are delighted to be strengthening our long-standing commitment of delivering positive change”.

Shaun Carazzo, EY EMEIA Financial Services Climate Change and Sustainability Leader, adds: “Sustainability is a top agenda item for all financial services firms worldwide, and covers individual Net Zero transition plans all the way to the development of greener services and products. Our innovation hub demonstrates EY’s commitment to the ESG agenda and will build on our already market-leading sustainable finance advisory business. By bringing the EY network of sustainable finance talent together, we can offer a one-stop-shop to clients, and I look forward to building out the hub as we respond to demand.” 

Irish digital services company TEKenable is creating 10 new jobs with the establishment of an ESG Practice

The establishment of TEKenable’s ESG Practice is a key investment area for the company and a critical pillar of its growth strategy.  TEKenable’s clients can define a path to a more sustainable future.

The ESG Practice will provide ESG consulting services to TEKenable customers, especially around the areas of data collection and reporting, carbon reduction and return on investment. The ESG Practice will also provide services to TEKenable itself ensuring ESG is integrated into TEKenable’s customers’ purpose, governance, strategy, decision-making, risk management, and accountability reporting across all divisions of the company and will work closely with them to ensure that understanding and alignment of sustainability and ESG priorities are embraced throughout the organization.   As a result, TEKenable’s customers will be supported with advice, ESG aware project deliveries, ESG related software solutions and sustainable procurement.

“We have developed TEKenable’s ESG services to accelerate our customers on their sustainable transformation journey,” explains Nick Connors, Group CEO, TEKenable.  “Through the use of cloud-based technologies to enable secure data storage and seamless interactions to drive sustainable decisions across our customer’s operations and stakeholders, we will help them accelerate transformation of their organisations and value chains.”

TEKenable has partnered with EcoVadis, the world’s trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, in its quest to use technology to help achieve its objectives and help organisations improve their environmental, social and ethical performance faster and also with Irish ESG consultancy BluePlanet.

TEKenable delivers digital services through Low Code platforms to medium and large-scale enterprises in Ireland, the UK, Spain, Hungary and the UAE.  The company is Irish owned and is committed to transforming forward-thinking public and private sector businesses into fully digital businesses in the cloud.

The ESG Practice will be headed by a sustainable industry expert with a long track record of handling the interests of clients, stakeholders, regulators and partners. The new positions include Cloud Engineering, Data and Analytics and Consulting and will be fulfilled in 2024.

“TEKenable is committed to helping clients move from sustainability and climate commitments to action,” adds Peter Rose, Group CTO, TEKenable.  “We will do so by working with organisations to create a transformation plan as well as helping drive collaboration across a broader ecosystem – of suppliers, clients and customers, policymakers, and alliance partners across industries. Sustainable IT can lead the way while delivering service enhancements and cost savings for a business.”

Finalists announced for inaugural Business & Finance ESG Awards

The finalists for the 2022 Business & Finance ESG Awards have been announced today, with companies from all across the country vying for coveted titles. The winners will be revealed at a black tie gala luncheon at 12 noon on Thursday, June 30th, at The Round Room in the Mansion House, Dublin. Attracting more than 100 entries from 80+ companies nationwide, the ESG Awards aim to recognise and celebrate individuals and groups who are actively striving to address environmental, social and governance issues.

In the light of growing climate change concerns and the increasing importance of sustainability, more and more businesses are recognising the need to adopt ESG into their company’s DNA. As such, the ESG Awards are intended to commend and encourage this trend by recognising the organisations and individuals who are excelling in their efforts and setting the standards for ESG excellence.

Nominations were invited across 15 categories, with Biodiversity Initiative; Diversity, Equality & Inclusion; Social Responsibility Project; and Circular Economy, proving most popular, attracting more than double the average submissions. This reflects the increasing interest in practical applications of ESG through biodiversity and circular economy initiatives, as well as social impact and HR driven projects for company employees.

The finalists for the inaugural ESG Awards are as follows:

  • ESG Company Award (Enterprise): AIB Group plc, Dole plc, SSE Airtricity, Wisetek, Ryanair

  • ESG Company Award (SME): Mobility Mojo, Foxford, Irish Residential Properties REIT Plc, Repak, SIRO, Speed Fibre Group

  • ESG Company Award (Startup): Coopman Search & Selection, Ethico, Sustainable PR, Sustainability Works

  • Sustainable Supply Chain Award: Bus Éireann, Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd, Wisetek

  • Biodiversity Initiative Award: Carbery, Hanley Energy, Host in Ireland, Intel, Nature Partners (The Nature Trust), Keelings

  • Net Zero Carbon Award: Aviva, ABP Food, Arthur Cox, Fujitsu, Schneider Electric

  • Energy Efficiency Initiative Award: Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd, Dole plc, E. Flahavan & Sons Ltd, Schneider Electric Ireland Limited

  • Circular Economy Award: BiaSol, VivaGreen Group, Portwest, Refurbed, Spotlight Oral Care, Wisetek

  • ESG Finance Award: AIB Group plc, Initiative Ireland, Sustainability Works, Vivid Edge

  • ESG Investment Award: AIB Group plc, Aviva, Ethico, Mercer, VentureWave Capital Limited

  • Diversity & Inclusion Initiative: Cpl Group, Mobility Mojo, SIRO, William Fry, Woodie’s, Version 1

  • Social Responsibility Project: Allergy Standards, Arthur Cox, Dalata Hotel Group Plc, Marino Software, Fujitsu, TELUS International Ireland

  • Employee Experience Award: Bord na Móna, GIY Ireland, Woodie’s, SIRO, Version, Woodie’s

  • Good Governance Award: AIB Group plc, Ballyhoura Development CLG, Dole plc, Mobility Mojo, Future Planet, Speed Fibre Group

The judging panel – who had a tough task to whittle entries down to just a handful in each category – includes notable business leaders such as Faye Walsh Droillard, Founder of Wake Up Capital; Kathy Ryan, Head of Responsible Investment at Irish Life Investment; Margot Slattery, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at ISS; and Anne Heraty, Non-Executive Director for Cpl. In addition to the 15 categories, the judges were also tasked with selecting the Overall ESG Company (Grand Prix Award) and the ESG Leader Award, neither of which were open for submissions. The winners in these extra categories will also be presented at the awards ceremony.

Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Ian Hyland, owner and publisher of Business & Finance, said the best of the best will be recognised at the event:

“The growing impetus to ensure ESG standards are met by companies has introduced a whole new range of technology solutions, ideas and products that are changing the way we do business. The Business & Finance ESG Awards was established to honour those who are setting the standards for ESG excellence. We had some really fantastic entries and all finalists deserve our congratulations in reaching this stage. We are looking forward to celebrating their success at the gala luncheon on June 30th.”