Business in the Community Ireland concludes pioneering SME Decarbonisation Pilot with graduation ceremony hosted by Bank of Ireland
Today (19 September 2024) 22 SME businesses from across Ireland graduated from the SME Decarbonisation Pilot, which was a collaboration between Business in the Community Ireland, Bank of Ireland, Musgrave Group and SSE Airtricity.
The programme engaged a selection of their supply chain SMEs, encouraging a deeper understanding of climate change, carbon reporting, and supply chain decarbonisation.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and the diverse range of companies and sectors involved added real value to the programme”
The SMEs involved in the programme benefited from an in-depth series of training sessions, beginning with in-person accredited carbon literacy training and followed by online workshops.
Training included understanding the role of a business in addressing the climate crisis, measuring carbon footprints and complying with reporting requirements for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions; and developing bespoke climate action plans.
The training also included accessing and interacting with a host of supports already available for SMEs in Ireland such as the Climate Toolkit 4 Business and the SME Climate Hub. The initiative was delivered in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland, whose similar programmes have reached over 200 SMEs.
Climate action planning
“Bank of Ireland was thrilled to partner with Business In The Community on the Carbon Literacy Pilot Programme,” said Colette Shirley, director of Sustainability, Bank of Ireland Corporate and Commercial Banking.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and the diverse range of companies and sectors involved added real value to the programme. We remain committed to supporting the sustainable transition of the Irish economy, having now embedded “Sustainable Company” as one of our core strategic pillars. The Programme has already led to significant positive outcomes, including increased awareness and actionable steps towards carbon reduction among participating businesses.”
Several businesses have already begun their carbon quantification and climate action planning as a direct result of the programme.
“During the pilot programme, SMEs shared firsthand experiences of how climate change is already affecting their businesses, with those in the food sector facing tough growing conditions,” said Feena Kirrkamm, BITCI Sustainability Adviser.
“One SME explained how changing weather patterns have deteriorated soil quality, leading to higher production costs and the potential need to change suppliers. Becoming upskilled on carbon literacy and future-proofing their activities through developing a carbon action plan, empowers them to make informed decisions about their supply chain and become more sustainable.”
The 22 businesses were: Antoinette Murphy & Associates Ltd (The Murphy Gallery and Hotel), Dublin; Dylan Hotel, Dublin 4; MosArt, Co Wicklow; Velo Coffee, Cork; Carraig Donn, May; Polonez, Dublin 12; Kent Stainless, Co Wexford; NVD Logistics, Co Wexford; Joseph Wallace, Co Wexford; Killowen Green Valley Farm, Co Wexford; Edelman Ireland, Dublin 2; Gamma Group, Dublin 8; Billsave, Dublin 8; Smart Save, Co Derry; OMD, Dublin; Janet’s Country Fayre, Co Dublin; All Real Nutrition, Co Dublin; Drummully Boxty, Co Cavan; Kiely Meats, Co Waterford; Coffee House Lane, Co Waterford; and Beara Distillery, Co Cork.
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