Leading companies light the way on climate action as Ireland’s first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard report published – but more to be done in critical areas 

Leading companies light the way on climate action as Ireland’s first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard report published – but more to be done in critical areas 

Ireland’s first ever Climate Transition Plan Scorecard report assessed the climate ambitions, actions and achievements of ten influential companies in Ireland and found evidence of strong leadership and governance on climate action. However, sufficient progress towards the reduction of emissions is still lacking.  

This study which has been released as COP30 draws to a close was carried out by DCU Institute for Climate and Society in partnership with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). It assessed the first ten signatory companies to BITCI’s ‘Accelerate: The Business Pact for Climate and Nature’ – Bidvest Noonan, Bus Éireann, Deloitte, Equinix, Gather & Gather, John Paul Construction, Kyndryl, Mitie, SSE, and Vhi. 

‘Accelerate’ is a voluntary initiative designed to encourage companies to set net zero targets and adopt holistic climate transition plans which outline how a company intends to reach its targets and includes the accountability mechanisms to ensure success. The Scorecard assessed companies in nine critical leverage areas: Climate targets and progress, Nature, Just Transition, Scope 3, Decarbonisation Levers, Governance, Finance, Risk and Advocacy.  

Laura Morrison, BITCI Head of Responsible Business said, “We hear from our members every day what a difficult time this is for many sustainability leads. International leadership on climate action is slipping, and even while the effects of climate change are becoming more apparent, the science is being challenged by influential actors with political agendas. So it’s heartening to see companies in Ireland still committed to joining voluntary initiatives and showing best practice in areas critical for their transition. The Scorecard shows each of these ten companies is demonstrating best practice in at least one area, which reinforces the importance of peer-to-peer learning and support.”  

The key findings include: 

  • Companies were strongest in decarbonisation levers (such as such as low- and zero emission fleets and renewable energy use),climate risk, and finance for the transition.  
  • Most companies have science-based climate targetssetcovering the entire value chain, yet emissions reductions are not happening at the required pace. 
  • Few companies have measurable targets for nature or just transition, despite growing recognition of their importance.
  • Sustainability oversight is now embedded in mostcompanyboards, though few include climate or nature specialists or link executive pay to environmental performance. 

Dr Aideen O’Dochartaigh, DCU Institute for Climate and Society and co-author of the study said “with the rollback of sustainability reporting regulation, it’s more urgent than ever that companies voluntarily take ambitious climate action and achieve results. Thankfully, most companies are still taking the climate and biodiversity crises seriously and the Accelerate companies are among many who have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing climate and nature challenges. Progress on emissions reduction is not at the pace required, at corporate or country level, and nature and just transition are not typically engaged with in depth. However, some measurable progress on absolute emissions reduction is observed, and the foundation for improved performance has been laid.”  

The Scorecard found increasing emissions among some companies with strong climate commitments, and in some cases with several years of measurement and reporting experience showing that target setting does not necessarily result in reduced emissions. However, setting clear science-based net zero targets does tend to support climate outcomes, with 86% of the 171 companies recently surveyed by the Science-Based Targets Initiative reporting it led to acceleration of the company’s decarbonisation.  

Companies especially appear to be struggling to sufficiently reduce emissions across their value chains, so-called ‘Scope 3’ emissions, which include for example purchases goods and services and use of sold products. Some companies are achieving sustained emissions reductions in this area, but these reductions are not occurring fast enough.  

Meghan Carmody, BITCI Senior Adviser and Accelerate Pact Manager added “In general over 90% of a company’s emissions footprint is in Scope 3, making it a critical area of change. The report shows some very positive actions, from encouraging suppliers to set science-based targets and integrating climate measures into procurement practices. However, some companies do not yet have clearly defined Scope 3 targets, or measure and report only a small percentage of the fifteen Scope 3 categories. We also see an absence of supplier engagement strategies and metrics for impacts, and only a small number report on services or initiatives to help customers decrease emissions.”  

Dr. Jimmy O’Keeffe, DCU School of History and Geography and co-author of the study said “This first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard shows that Irish businesses are beginning to step up to climate change and biodiversity loss. The companies assessed have demonstrated real ambition—setting science-aligned climate targets and putting in place strong governance and risk management structures. But ambition alone is not enough. While Irish businesses are making important strides on climate, action on nature lags behind. Companies rely fundamentally on healthy ecosystems—whether through supply chains, resources, or resilience to climate risks—yet this dependency is rarely reflected in their transition plans. If businesses are to thrive in a changing climate, protecting and restoring nature must move from the margins to the centre of corporate action.” 

ENDS  

Media Contact: June Tinsley – Head of Communications BITCI, jtinsley@bitc.ie, 086 7733221   

Notes to the Editor:   

Business in the Community Ireland – Leaders in Sustainability and Social Inclusion. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge and facilitate businesses to bring about a sustainable, low carbon economy and an inclusive society where everyone thrives. We leverage our extensive network and depth of knowledge to guide businesses to embed all aspects of sustainability into their operations. Our programmes and partnerships are designed to bring about measurable improvements in environmental sustainability and social equity.