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Sustainability in Ireland is shifting from aspiration to action. Businesses, investors, and government leaders are embracing Environmental, Social, and Governance strategies like never before. However, behind this transformation is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can lead with expertise and purpose.
If you work in sustainability or ESG in Ireland, this is your moment. Momentum is building, but success depends on how well you understand the trends, the tools, and the legislation shaping the future. Let’s break down what’s happening—and why you need to prepare now.
The Momentum Is Undeniable
In 2024, 81% of Irish companies increased their sustainability focus, according to EY’s recent report. This drive is largely fueled by rising stakeholder pressure, investor scrutiny, and climate-related risks. Companies are not only responding to regulatory developments but also to changing consumer behavior and increasing demands for transparency.
Ireland’s leadership on climate and ESG is also being backed by government policy. Earlier this year, the government committed €7.5 million to fund the creation of the UNDP Global Sustainable Finance Project Office in Dublin (ESG News, 2024). The office will play a key role in promoting sustainable finance practices globally and solidify Dublin’s status as a center for green finance innovation. This investment is more than symbolic—it signals a serious commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of Ireland’s economic strategy.
Green Finance Is Reshaping Business
Finance is one of the strongest forces driving Ireland’s ESG evolution. A landmark example of this shift is AIB’s issuance of its seventh green bond, raising €500 million to support projects in clean energy, sustainable construction, and other low-carbon initiatives (ESG News, 2024).
Green bonds and ESG-aligned investments are now integral to corporate funding strategies. For ESG professionals, this means understanding more than sustainability theory. In other words, it requires fluency in how capital markets function, what qualifies as a “green” investment, and how non-financial performance indicators are being linked to financial returns.
Investors increasingly seek out businesses that can demonstrate measurable progress in environmental and social outcomes. As a result, the ability to align sustainability goals with financial strategy is quickly becoming a must-have skill.
The EU Hit Pause—But You Shouldn’t
While Ireland is accelerating its sustainability agenda, the European Union recently approved delays for two major ESG regulations: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). These delays, part of an omnibus simplification proposal, give companies more time to align their reporting processes and due diligence efforts with the new requirements (ESG Dive, 2024).
However, these directives have not been cancelled. They remain central pillars of the EU’s sustainability strategy and will eventually affect nearly every medium to large business operating in the European market. For ESG professionals, this pause represents a strategic opportunity—not a reason to slow down.
It is a chance to:
- Strengthen internal data systems and ESG reporting structures
- Train teams on double materiality and risk-based assessments
- Review supply chain readiness for human rights and environmental due diligence
By acting now, Irish ESG leaders can ensure their organizations are ready well before the deadlines return.
The Rise of Values-Driven Divestment
ESG is no longer just about mitigating risk. Increasingly, it’s about aligning corporate strategy with stakeholder values. A growing number of institutional investors are leveraging divestment as a form of active engagement, using it to express ethical and sustainability concerns—not just to manage risk (Harvard Law School Forum, 2023).
This evolution requires ESG professionals in Ireland to step into more strategic roles. Rather than simply responding to regulatory requirements, they must help shape investment and procurement decisions, influence board-level discussions, and facilitate stakeholder dialogues that drive long-term value.
Embedding values into ESG frameworks is no longer a luxury. It’s fast becoming a standard expectation.
Upskilling Is Now a Strategic Imperative
Terms like science-based targets, double materiality, EU taxonomy, and sustainability due diligence are quickly becoming part of the daily vocabulary in ESG-related roles. These concepts are not academic—they directly impact decision-making, resource allocation, and risk management across sectors.
Yet many organizations in Ireland lack the in-house capacity to train their teams at the level today’s ESG challenges demand. That’s why external, expert-led training programs are emerging as a critical tool for both individual development and corporate ESG readiness.
Professionals who understand the evolving European sustainability landscape will be better positioned to drive compliance, innovation, and credibility in the years ahead.
Upcoming Training Opportunity
To support this need, the Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner Program, Advanced Edition 2025, offered by the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE), is now open for enrollment. This advanced training will equip ESG and sustainability professionals with the latest insights and tools aligned with European requirements.
Virtual Training Dates: June 25–26 & 27, 2025
The program has been fully updated to reflect the most recent Omnibus Directive changes adopted by the European Parliament. It provides deep coverage of:
- The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
- The EU Taxonomy for sustainable economic activities
- The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
Through interactive instruction and practical case studies, participants will gain the skills and confidence to manage ESG strategy, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with clarity and authority.
Early Bird Offer: A 15% discount is available until May 31, 2025, using the promo code “15CSE” during registration.
For additional details, group pricing, or corporate inquiries, please contact [email protected].
To learn more or secure your spot, visit the official program page here.
