Investigating Sustainability in the Current Climate

The COVID-19 crisis is bringing the concept of sustainability into even sharper focus than before. The businesses that thrive will be the ones that embrace sustainability as part of their core business. In doing so, they will ‘build back better’ and create a fairer, greener, and more resilient world. In the first of our District Society Roadshows, starting with the Cork District Society, join three experts to find out how sustainable practices can control risk, and lead to long-term inclusive growth and operational & resource efficiency. This webinar is hosted by Brian Keegan, Director of Advocacy and Voice, Chartered Accountants Ireland

This webinar is suitable for those who wish to understand more about sustainability, and its future following the current crisis. It will describe how operating sustainably is key to cutting costs as well as building a fairer, greener and cleaner economy. Business at all stages of the sustainability journey will get an insight into how sustainability can bring benefits in terms of reduced costs, risk management, competitive advantage and sourcing finance.

The key sustainability items that will be covered include:

• how to develop a sustainability strategy (HEINEKEN’s Brewing a Better World strategy)

• how to set-up teams internally for sustainability success

• how membership of external organisations can help your programme

• the different stages of clients’ sustainability reporting journeys

• regulatory drivers for sustainability in Ireland, e.g. the Irish non-financial reporting requirements

• insights into Irish market trends and future direction

• the argument for business decarbonisation

• supports available to businesses, from SMEs up to large industry and public sector

• insights into financial and accounting mechanisms (Accelerated Capital Allowance, Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme, Energy Performance Contracting / Off Balance Sheet investment, Evaluating carbon risk of investments, shadow price of carbon)

 
After the webinar members will be able to

• Appreciate the strategic imperative for a sustainable approach to business

• Be better equipped to introduce a sustainability strategy and tactics to their business or help advise clients to do so.

• Be familiar with government supports available to businesses, and the potential costs to be saved by introducing sustainable practices.

• Understand key trends and future developments for best-practice sustainable business in Ireland

 
Speaker Bios:
Name: Fergus Sharkey, SEAI
Bio: Fergus is Head of Public and Private Sector Business with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). A Chartered Engineer, Fergus held leading roles with ESB before joining SEAI in 2017, where he now leads a team focussed on accelerating energy efficiency project-activity with public and private sector clients. His team provides a range of supports, including information and training on best practice, project development grants, capital partnership programmes, and energy contracting support.

Name: Barbara Anne Richardson, HEINEKEN
Bio: Barbara-Anne Richardson is Sustainability and Communications Manager at HEINEKEN Ireland, the first drinks company in Ireland to achieve the Business Working Responsibly mark from Business in the Community in recognition of its responsible and sustainable business practices. Barbara-Anne’s joined HEINEKEN following a career as Director of Membership Development and Services with Cork Chamber, European and Asian Marketing Manager of Slendertone and Brand Manager with House of Waterford Crystal.

Name: Alan McInerney, PwC
Bio: Alan is a Manager in PwC, and a member of the Risk Assurance team in PwC’s Dublin office. A qualified Chartered Accountant Alan holds a PRINCE2® Practitioner Certificate in Project Management and works with a range of clients assisting them on improving operational efficiency through process improvement, risk management and control reporting.