Business in the Community Ireland’s Climate Action Programme for SMEs has doubled in size. We speak to Bank of Ireland director of Sustainability Colette Shirley about what the SMEs will gain.
Business in the Community Ireland has kicked off Phase 2 of its Climate Action Programme for SMEs in collaboration with partners Bank of Ireland, ESB and SSE plc.
This year, the programme has doubled in size – with 40 SMEs from across the partners’ value chains and across the island of Ireland taking part.
“These programmes form a strategic framework that not only supports SMEs in meeting climate goals but also strengthens their long-term competitiveness and resilience in a transitioning economy”
The programme provides significant positive outcomes, including increased awareness and actionable steps towards carbon reduction among participating businesses.
Partaking firms will receive:
- Accredited Carbon Literacy Training
- Support with measuring carbon emissions
- Practical planning for the future
- Peer-to-peer and cross-sector learning
We caught up with Bank of Ireland’s director of Sustainability Colette Shirley to discuss the impact the programme is making.
This is the second year of the Bank’s involvement in the BITC programme around sustainability for SMEs. What is the purpose of the programme and what will the participating businesses gain?
The purpose of the Business in the Community Carbon Literacy Programme is to equip BOI and Ireland’s SMEs with the essential knowledge and practical tools they need to measure, understand and reduce their carbon footprint. As Ireland strives to meet its legislated Climate Action Plan targets, SMEs – responsible for roughly half of national greenhouse gas emissions—need to be supported to respond effectively. Through accredited carbon literacy training, businesses learn how to calculate and record their emissions, develop bespoke climate action plans and engage with peers and larger corporate partners on sustainability initiatives. By closing the ESG knowledge gap that over 70% of SMEs have identified, the programme enables participants to future-proof their operations and be ready for any regulatory requirements incoming.
What kind of training will take place? How long is the programme and what qualifications will the firms graduate with?
The programme combines in-person training and online workshops to deliver a comprehensive learning experience. SMEs attend accredited carbon literacy sessions led by certified facilitators at BOI’s training facilities before moving on to virtual workshops where they apply those lessons to calculate emissions specific to their operations. Each participant receives one-on-one advisory support to translate their carbon data into a practical, sector-tailored sustainability roadmap. On successful completion, firms graduate with Carbon Literacy Certification, a recognised qualification that validates their commitment to climate action and opens doors to sustainability-focused partnerships and markets.
How have past participating companies made sustainable changes to their businesses?
Companies that took part in Phase 1 of the pilot in summer 2024 have already put their training into practice. This involves establishing baseline carbon footprints and tracking emissions on an ongoing basis. Examinations of renewable energy sources, supplier relationships to prioritise lower-carbon alternatives and embedding of climate objectives into broader business strategies are also now in train. Case studies in the BITC evaluation report illustrate how these organisations turned awareness into tangible changes – demonstrating that targeted training, expert guidance and peer collaboration can drive meaningful progress.
Bank of Ireland recently launched its Sustainable Business Champion (Coach)? platform as well as achieving a major milestone in green lending. How do programmes like that with BITCI contribute to an SME landscape best equipped to meet the climate action challenge head on?
Initiatives like the BITCI Carbon Literacy Programme play a pivotal role in shaping an SME landscape capable of responding to the climate challenge. This grassroots approach to education and enablement, when combined with Bank of Ireland’s Sustainable Business Coach platform and expanding green lending portfolio, creates a comprehensive support ecosystem. It addresses knowledge gaps, offers financial incentives, and fosters collaboration across corporates, SMEs, and public bodies – driving change through a trickle-down approach from the top down.
The Sustainable Business Coach is particularly impactful for SMEs at the early stages of their sustainability journey. It helps businesses identify which key metrics are most relevant to their operations and pinpoints priority areas for improvement. Advisory supports combined with tailored financial solutions, means the Coach empowers SMEs to navigate evolving regulatory pressures and supply-chain expectations in a structured approach. Together, these programmes form a strategic framework that not only supports SMEs in meeting climate goals but also strengthens their long-term competitiveness and resilience in a transitioning economy.
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