Archives: 2019

Since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, four in ten of the world’s largest companies currently discuss the SDGs in their corporate reporting; the pressure is not only from Governments, employees and consumers but also from many investors who are starting to integrate the SDGs into their portfolio analysis. It is being

In the first article of the series we defined Circular Economy as an economic model that attempts to decouple “economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.” We also discussed the history and background of the movements that led to its rise in popularity. This second article now looks at how that popularity has fostered C-suite and board level conversations in many of today’s top corporates,

The Inclusive Employer blueprint is a practical guide (launched in February 2019) to creating an inclusive workplace and addressing social inequality in Ireland. While many businesses have support for initiatives to promote the employment of people with disability, there is a general feeling that a lot more could be done.

In our In Conversation Series we get to know the sustainability and corporate responsibility leaders from some of Ireland’s top businesses. This month please meet Penny Bryant, Director of Communications and CSR at Fidelity Investments. Please describe your role and responsibilities and how many years you have been in the company I oversee Communications and

Business in the Community Ireland welcomes the adoption of the All of Government Action Plan on Climate Disruption as a decisive and coherent set of policies that will prepare Ireland to become a significant player at European and international level on adapting to climate change. In particular we welcome the approach to systemic change proposed by the Action Plan, placing a focus on

Last month KBC Bank hosted the first Inclusive Employer meeting in Cork.  At the session Munster based companies described their schemes to support apprenticeships and work placements which in the majority of cases provide candidates that they can recruit and progress through the organisation. According to Louise Murray our Senior CSR Adviser, the logic stacks

  Following on from our first article on the Sustainable Development Goals and Business this month we look at what are the goals most prioritised by business. We also want to highlight our upcoming SDGs workshop. This year marks four years since the United Nations member states unanimously agreed on the  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet by 2030,

Today, around 100 CEOs made an appeal to join forces for a New Deal for Europe. They want to accelerate sustainable growth, tackle climate change and create inclusive prosperity. Brought together by CSR Europe, the CEOs raise their voice to enhance dialogue and strengthen interaction with Politics, Civil Society and their Business & Industry peers.

Installation of 470 roof-mounted solar PV panels forms central plank of Group’s commitment to BITCI Low Carbon Pledge. In a major demonstration of support for the shift to green energy by business, Heat Merchants Group has installed over 470 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of its business support offices and central distribution hub

Following the recent publication of the Inclusive Employer blueprint , this is the first in a regular series of articles containing business tips and examples of Inclusion in Action. In 2018 Accenture Ireland developed a Mental Health Ally programme as part of a wider commitment to becoming a truly inclusive organisation.  Through this initiative, Accenture are fostering a

Our Head of Advisory Services Bernadette Phelan recently addressed the CSR Stakeholder Forum , these that follow are her remarks: Responsible businesses know that building and keeping trust with its many stakeholders (be it employees, customers, suppliers, government, local communities) is a necessary condition for business success.  Trust is fostered through openness and transparency by the business, and

Press Release 28th March 2019: 60 top companies in Ireland have contributed over €30 million to charities and community groups last year while employees racked up 264,735 volunteer hours. This data was captured by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), a business network that advises Ireland’s top companies on corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The

 Watch a short interview with Maarten Schuurman, CEO of HEINEKEN Ireland. Achieving the Mark has helped the company know they are on the right sustainability track and also encourage them to continuously improve. Meet all the top businesses in Ireland that have achieved the Business Working Responsibly mark.

A blueprint targeted at employers to promote social inclusion, reduce inequality and combat poverty was launched in Dublin today. “The Inclusive Employer” is the work of senior management brought together by the business network, Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) and is aimed at implementing change in business at leadership and operational level to tackle

The National Biodiversity Conference is taking place later this month and business will have a starring role. Head of Advisory Services  Bernadette Phelan will be there at Dublin Castle on Feb 20th and 21st to launch the BITCI’s new Biodiversity Handbook for Business, members Intel and Dawn Meats will be presenting their biodiversity work on

The Central Bank of Ireland achieved the Business Working Responsibly mark in November 2019. Do you want to find out how your business performs on CSR and Sustainability? Take our quick online questionnaire and receive the results straight away.

The EPIC programme (Employment for People from Immigrant Communities) is a ground-breaking initiative which leverages the support of business to help marginalised immigrants find employment. Run by Business in the Community Ireland, the national network for sustainability, it celebrated its 10 years of success at a special event last night hosted by Bank of Ireland

For this month of our In Conversation Series with Sustainability professionals we hear from Priscilla O’Regan Head of Communications at BT Ireland. BT Ireland are leaders in sustainability having this year achieved the Business Working Responsibly mark. BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world.They’re making this happen through

Were you interested in numbers and maths when you were a child? Would you enjoy sharing this love of maths? We need YOUR company to provide volunteers with a love for numbers to help local primary school children nationwide explore and develop a love of maths for themselves. Our Time to Count Steering Group has

Over 180 senior business leaders gather for Business in the Community Ireland’s Annual Sustainability Forum The Mark is operated by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), the non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainability and third-party audited by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). BITCI Ireland announced that 4 new companies achieved the Mark and 7

Dublin, Wednesday, 14th November, 2018: In a ground-breaking move today, over 40 of the country’s leading companies have made a dedicated pledge to significantly reduce their carbon emissions. The companies, drawn from many sectors of business and industry, are to cut their carbon emissions between now and 2030. The pledge was made today at a

On September 20th, Bank of Ireland won the Marketplace category at the Chambers Ireland CSR awards for their innovative Workbench concept. In simple terms Workbench is a space in the bank branch put aside for entrepreneurs to work and meet. The unique concept connects entrepreneurs, Bank of Ireland colleagues and the local community, by offering