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New research from the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy reveals that Irish business leaders are placing an increased focus on becoming more sustainable but require clarity on the skills and new forms of leadership needed. The ‘Sustainability Capabilities for Business Leaders’ report, prepared in partnership with Maynooth University , and Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), is the first examination of both

BITCI has been working with the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) providing support to senior cycle students with additional needs in both mainstream and special needs schools.  This was a pilot programme launched in 2022 as the CES (Comprehensive Employment Strategy) Transitions programme which aimed to support final year students transition to work/ training/ day services. BITCI provided support

New Irish Research Council funded research from Dr Aideen O’Dochartaigh and Anna Pringle examines the implications of carbon budgets, the amount of acceptable emissions for each sector of Irish industry set to meet a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, for Irish businesses. A key emerging trend from the interviews

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is urging more businesses based in the Limerick and Clare region to be involved in delivering its various education programmes. These programmes are guaranteed to be both a worthwhile employee engagement experience, enable the company to forge closer links with the local community and help tackle educational disadvantage.   Through

Why are forests important? We take forests for granted, but forests and woodlands play a vital role for our health and well-being. Nearly a third of the planet is covered in trees and those trees not only generate the oxygen we breathe, but also contain the densest, most bio-diverse collections of life on the planet.

In 2023, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force and a first set of cross-sector European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) was adopted.  As first companies are in scope for CSRD compliance from 2024, EFRAG – the independent technical advisory group mandated by the European Commission – continues to develop technical standards and implementation

The World of Work programme has drawn to a close for this academic year leaving behind a trail of inspiring events and remarkable achievements. A significant feature of this year’s programme was the Introduction to Sustainability session, complimented by the YES campaign (Youth Engagement in Sustainability). The sustainability session aimed to: introduce basic concepts and

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) today launched the Responsible Business Association, which is a collective movement by companies who are certified with the Business Working Responsibly Mark. This Association aims for transformative change to environmentally and socially responsible business models, focusing on leadership, knowledge sharing and support to the wider business eco-system in achieving

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is celebrating with several Donegal schools at the completion of their 2023-2024 ‘World of Work’ programme.     This nationwide World of Work programme engages 2nd year students by partnering them with local businesses who inspire them to reach their full potential by recognising the value of completing their education. Through

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) launched its 3rd annual Elevate, The Inclusive Workplace, Pledge Report which presents a diversity profile of the workforce drawn from 60 signatory companies. Spanning a combined workforce of over 150,000 employees it is clear some strides have been made especially in the area of gender recruitment and progression, but

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) took the opportunity to discuss the future of their EPIC and Women@Work employment programmes with Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on his visit to BITCI today. These successful employment programmes, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth support refugees, asylum seekers, newly arrived Ukrainians and women returners in their

Scope 3 emissions remain by far the most challenging area for meaningful decarbonisation. We recognise that SMEs play a key role in our member companies’ supply chains making it necessary to support them in integrating sustainability into their operations as, without them, a sustainable transition to a low carbon economy will not be possible. A

20th March 2024 Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) presented to the Joint OIreachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment today on the challenges facing business in terms of Sustainability and CSR.   Given BITCI’s expertise in advising, supporting and challenging business across all Economic, Environment, Social and Governance (EESG) aspects of sustainability, the presentation was

14th March 2024 Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is celebrating another successful year of its Student Mentoring Programme which had its largest number of students participating ever. This academic year had 35 programmes involving 32 companies across Ireland mentoring in 32 schools which saw 254 senior cycle DEIS students and 240 mentors actively participating.  

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is delighted the 15-year partnership between St Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda and Irish Cement continues to flourish. Their collective participation in BITCI’s World of Work programme now includes participating in a sustainability project, part of a national competition supported by Gas Networks Ireland . This project encourages students to envision a greener future and empowering them to make a positive impact on their environment.  The

7th March 2024, Marking International Women’s Day, Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is highlighting its successful Women@Work programme and urges more businesses to get involved.   This online programme launched in 2020, offers support to women who have been out of the workplace for a long time. This can include women who have migrated from other countries,

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) welcomed the launch of Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan by Minister Malcolm Noonan on January 25th. The drafting of the plan was the responsibility of the NPWS, and this version is particularly notable because, for the first time, the plan will have statutory powers and a fund of €3 billion behind it. Within the plan there are 194

The annual UN Climate Conference is a major milestone to take stock of what has been achieved and to renew the global ambition towards decarbonisation. Dubai’s COP28 in December 2023 leaves a lasting legacy on key issues that will enable decarbonisation. For businesses in Ireland, the key takeaways are: Accelerating Fossil Fuel Phase Out: COP28

It is abundantly clear that humanity is experiencing twin crises, climate breakdown and nature loss. What is perhaps not as clear, is that they are in fact, much more intricately linked than would first appear. They are two sides of the same coin. Human induced climate disruption is causing global average temperatures to rise at

As Ireland’s leading sustainability advisors,  we support some of Ireland’s largest businesses  to embed sustainability into their business practices to create a low carbon and inclusive society where everyone thrives. Established in 2000, we’ve seen the prioritisation by businesses of the Economic, Environmental, Social and Governance (EESG) elements of Sustainability grow exponentially. Investors, consumers, employees, and communities are now evaluating businesses on

Materiality assessment is a crucial tool for organisations. It is a way of identifying and prioritising the sustainability topics that matter for a company, with the fundamental objectives of informing its sustainability strategy, informing decision-making, and driving the resilience and transformation of the business.  The Business Working Responsibly Mark certification, the standard for sustainability in

Friday 15th December 2023, Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is delighted that Mary O’Connor a participant in our Next STEP programme has secured an exhibition of her artwork in the waiting room of Ceannt Station in Galway. Mary O’Connor is a 6th year student in Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew, Co.Galway. She is a

In September this year Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), in partnership with Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) Ireland, published the fifth Low Carbon Pledge (LCP) progress report . Encouragingly since 2021 we do see most signatory companies’ ambition translating into action through their commitment and setting of science-based targets, now publicly reported on the Science Based Target Initiative online dashboard (SBTi).  Transparency and authenticity have always been at

Friday 1st December 2023, Business in the Community Ireland launched research findings into the experiences of and barriers faced by Ukrainians in obtaining work in Ireland. This research launch coincided with the graduation ceremony of its EPIC programme, which is a pre-employment support service targeting migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and recently arrived Ukrainians.   As at

28th November 2023 The importance of championing and achieving diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace was discussed at the latest Business in the Community Ireland’s Munster Members’ Network meeting in Cork last week. These meetings, which meet quarterly and examine different sustainability issues, comprise leading responsible companies who are keen to share their

Thursday 9th November 2023,  Business in the Community Ireland held its annual CEO Forum which brought together over 100 CEOs from multiple sectors to share insights, experiences and ambitions on how to advance the ESG and sustainability agenda that is so critical for protecting the planet and business development.  Against a backdrop of war, millions

Sustainable corporate gifting is a great opportunity to demonstrate a company’s sustainability commitments, including environmental and social responsibility. By choosing sustainable gifts, businesses can inspire their employees, build a positive brand image, and contribute to a better world. There is a wealth of small, creative, and sustainable businesses to choose from in Ireland.   The

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is delighted to be marking the 20-year anniversary of partnerships between some leading companies and their local DEIS school. These companies, Marks and Spencer, KMPG and Cisco have encouraged their staff to actively volunteer in our Student Mentoring or World of Work programmes since 2003.   Our Student Mentoring Programme

Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, has been awarded its first Business Working Responsibly Mark from Business in the Community Ireland. The Mark has recognised that Coillte is in-line with best-in-class sustainable and responsible business practices and is an organisation that fosters a culture of continuous improvement and ongoing accountability throughout its business. Coillite is Ireland’s

Wednesday, 27th September 2023, The 5th annual PwC report on the Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) Low Carbon Pledge found that more businesses are escalating their focus on sustainability and prioritising decarbonisation across all areas of their operations.   However, there is also an urgency on some to be more proactive in setting their targets