Sustainability crossroads

Ireland’s sustainability agenda is at a critical juncture. The opening of entries for the Green Awards underlines momentum in domestic recognition of corporate climate leadership. Yet, beneath the surface, questions remain over whether ambition is being matched by execution.

The government’s recent methane strategy, a central plank of agricultural policy, has drawn criticism from academics who argue it risks undermining broader climate objectives. Agriculture accounts for a third of Ireland’s emissions, making methane management pivotal. Failure to deliver credible reductions could weaken Ireland’s ability to align with EU targets and diminish investor confidence in its green economy credentials.

Global trends add further complexity. Hexaware’s 97th percentile ranking in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment highlights how IT and services firms outside Ireland are embedding sustainability deep within operations. Their progress provides a stark contrast: while Irish businesses prepare to showcase achievements at the Green Awards, competitors abroad are rapidly institutionalising climate metrics into global supply chains.

For senior decision-makers, the question is not whether sustainability will remain on the agenda, but whether Ireland can reconcile domestic policy compromises with global standards. If methane remains unresolved, can Ireland credibly present itself as a hub for sustainable investment over the next decade?