Bank of Ireland has introduced the Sustainable Business Coach, a free digital tool designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises identify their ESG priorities and move from sustainability awareness into structured action.

As reported by Business Eye, the tool functions as an ESG questionnaire through which businesses complete a series of multiple-choice questions. The online assessment generates a personalised sustainability score alongside a downloadable PDF report containing tailored recommendations and actionable next steps specific to each business.

George Higginson, managing director of Everyday Banking at Bank of Ireland UK, said ESG is "a growing priority for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors, particularly for those SMEs within supply chains where mandatory sustainability reporting increasingly applies." He acknowledged that limited resources, time pressures, and a lack of accessible information can act as barriers to progress, adding that the tool "addresses those challenges."

The launch reinforces Bank of Ireland's own ESG commitments, with the bank on track to meet its 2030 Science Based Targets initiative greenhouse gas emission targets.

Tyrone-based pipe manufacturer Cherry Pipes Ltd, which produces durable HDPE pipes for agriculture, civil engineering, and sports sectors using recycled materials, is among the businesses demonstrating how sustainability integration can deliver commercial returns alongside environmental benefits.

Kris McClelland, regional business manager for Cherry Pipes, said: "Action on sustainability can create real commercial value and set the foundation for continued success," noting that the company's approach has not only strengthened our environmental performance but delivered clear commercial benefits, from greater efficiency to more resilient operations.

The tool arrives as mandatory sustainability reporting requirements continue to extend further down supply chains, placing growing pressure on SMEs that have historically operated outside formal ESG frameworks.

Put the Sustainable Business Coach to the test and explore Bank of Ireland's full SME sustainability offering in the complete story.