Newsroom

Photo of landscape with sky and forest

Developing a circular approach with Veolia

Members News - Environment - Jun 21, 2021

Developing a circular approach to your business will be key in driving your transition to decarbonising your operations across your supply chain. Veolia are leaders in the circular revolution and can show the impact that this has had to date and what to expect going forward. For all companies, across all sectors, business-as-usual is not


aviva apiary with bees and beekeeper

Overcoming the challenges of science-based targets with Aviva

Members News - Environment - Jun 21, 2021

Financial institutions are key to unlocking the system-wide change needed to lower global emissions and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. As providers of the capital, they have a unique influence over other actors and can play a significant role in greening our economies, the communities that we live in andour day-to-day lives.


two children with their back to the camera looking out at the sea on a sandy beach

Decarbonising service offerings with AIB

Members News - Environment - Jun 18, 2021

The financial services sector has a significant role to play in meeting global and national climate and wider sustainability targets. As the majority of the emissions in this sector are located in their investment portfolios, companies will need to look at how they can decarbonise these portfolios and service offerings. AIB is one of the


Green field with cows and a man overseeing them

On the importance of stakeholder engagement with ABP

Members News - Environment - Jun 18, 2021

The agribusiness/food & drink sector has a difficult challenge ahead of them. It has a complex supply chain, with many stakeholders. The following case study focuses on the importance of stakeholder engagement for ABP Foods on the journey to their science-based targets (SBTs) set and beyond. ABP Food Group is one of Europe’s leading agribusiness companies employing


Business Working Responsibly mark series: Governance as a C-Suite Topic

Welcome to our new series of insights and trends from our 40 Business Working Responsibly Mark certified companies . While the insights are gleaned from all of our certified companies, particular attention is focused on the most recent trends from our current cohort under the new certification process.


New Low Carbon Pledge report charts the decarbonisation journey of over 60 companies

BITCI News - Jun 10, 2021

Press Release: Ireland largest businesses have shown real ambition and progress towards science-based targets as they chart their decarbonisation journey, says major new report by PwC on the BITCI Low Carbon Pledge  Over two-thirds of Ireland’s largest businesses are well progressed to setting science-based targets by 2024 to tackle climate change Very significantly, 42% of


Intel and National Parks and Wildlife Service launch bog restoration project to increase water storage by millions of litres

Members News - Environment - May 31, 2021

  On 20 May, 2021, Intel and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) launched a blanket bog restoration project in the Wicklow Mountains National Park (WMNP). The restoration project, taking place over the coming months, will see 60 hectares of drained bog re-wetted to increase water storage levels in part of the River Liffey


€2m investment in Newcastle West underpins Ballygowan’s move to target 100% sustainability

Ireland’s own iconic Water Brand, Ballygowan, has moved its full range of grocery products to RPet, fully recycled and recyclable bottles. The move to new RPet bottles has been facilitated by a €2m investment in their operations at Newcastle West, the home and source of Ballygowan. The move is part of a drive for 100%


KPMG Ireland announces net-zero commitment approved by SBTi

Members News - Environment - May 25, 2021

KPMG Ireland has announced its commitment to be a net-zero carbon organisation by 2030, as part of its continued focus on supporting sustainable growth and innovative climate solutions for Irish business. To underpin this goal, Ireland’s largest professional services firm is committing to a robust ‘science-based’ approach, in line with what the latest climate science


Intel Donates €1.4 million to Irish organisations thanks to employees

Volunteering is a valued part of the Intel culture. Throughout Intel’s 50-plus year history we have encouraged it, facilitated it, and sought out ways to make it as meaningful and impactful as possible. Every year Intel Ireland employees volunteer thousands of hours in the communities where they live and work. Despite the challenges of the


Top tips for moving to science-based targets from Dawn Meats Group, AIB and Janssen

BITCI News - Environment - May 24, 2021

At the launch of our new Low Carbon Pledge in March we heard from an excellent panel of speakers who spoke about their top tips for moving to science-based targets for the creation of a low carbon economy. Gill Higgins, Head of Sustainability, Dawn Meats Group, spoke about the company’s climate vision around science-based targets and


Inclusive workplace

Launch of Elevate the Inclusive Workplace Pledge

Webinars - May 20, 2021

Today, investors, consumers, employees, and civil society all pay attention to how businesses respond to the diversity, equality and inclusion challenges we face. Companies are expected to act beyond compliance and to take a real stand on inclusion. Through our successful Low Carbon Pledge, we have seen the power of the collective business response in


45 of Ireland’s largest companies sign up to ELEVATE pledge to improve diversity and inclusivity in Irish workplaces

THURSDAY 20th May: 45 of Ireland’s largest companies have publicly committed to improve inclusivity and diversity in their workplaces by signing up to ELEVATE, the Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) inclusive workplace pledge. BITCI recently commissioned Deloitte to assist with the research for a new report – Diversity and Inclusion in Focus – which


2021 A Critical Year for Biodiversity

Environment - May 13, 2021

AUTHOR: Cillian McMahon, ‎Corporate Responsibility Adviser

At BITCI we have been working with businesses on the topic of biodiversity since 2014. Through our engagement with our member companies, we found that no matter what sector they operate in, they struggled to understand their role when it came to biodiversity and the impact they had. We saw this as an opportunity to


What Irish businesses need to know about human rights

Business & Human Rights - Apr 29, 2021

Part II: Real-world business experiences Thursday, 27 May 2021 | 11.00 – 12.00 GMT+1   What: A practical business webinar, involving real-world business examples, to assist businesses in managing human rights risks and increasing their understanding of how human rights support the broader sustainability agenda. Join this webinar to: Learn from experienced peers & expert


Aldi provides customers with five ways to make supermarket shopping more sustainable

Members News - Community - Apr 27, 2021

  In the lead up to Earth Day 2021, Aldi shared five insider tips to help people shop more sustainably. From finding ways to reduce the need for plastic packaging, to minimising food waste and supporting Irish suppliers, there’s plenty of smalls steps that can help to make your shop more sustainable. John Curtin, Group


Lidl Ireland to Combat Period Poverty by Offering Free Period Products in Stores Nationwide in Partnership with Homeless Period Ireland

Members News - Community - Apr 27, 2021

Lidl Ireland is set to become the first major retailer in the world to offer free period products in stores nationwide to women and girls across the country affected by period poverty in partnership with Homeless Period Ireland and The Simon Communities of Ireland. The new initiative will see the retailer offer a dedicated coupon


Moneypoint

ESB Announces ‘Green Atlantic’ project at Moneypoint

Members News - Environment - Apr 22, 2021

In line with the Government’s ambition of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, ESB has recently announced Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint. Under the ambitious programme, ESB’s Moneypoint site in County Clare will be transformed into a green energy hub, helping Ireland to become a leader in green energy production. Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint is a


Permanent tsb

Permanent tsb names Community Fund Partners for 2021

Members News - Community - Apr 22, 2021

Permanent tsb has named the 6 community groups and charities that have been selected by a nationwide public vote to share in approx. €300,000 from the Permanent TSB Community Fund. The selection process involved a record 150,000 votes from permanent tsb customers and the wider public – over 7 times the 20,000 votes recorded last


An Post accelerates targets in 2nd Sustainability Report

  An Post has launched its second Sustainability Report highlighting the essential role An Post is playing in the national drive for carbon reduction and its commitment to sustainable living, better quality of life and a healthy island. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 23% since 2009 with An Post on track for 50% reduction


The Path to COP26

Webinar: The Path to COP26

Webinars - Environment - Apr 22, 2021

The Path to COP26: As many countries look to rebuild their economies in the wake of the pandemic, there has been a major emphasis on ‘building back better’ through a green recovery, and COP26 will be the first time nations come together to discuss the commitments they made in the Paris Agreement in 2015. This


Sustainable Ireland

BITCI features in the Irish Times special report, Sustainable Ireland

Leadership - Apr 08, 2021

BITCI recently featured in the Irish Times special report, Sustainable Ireland, which included valuable insights from our CEO Tomás Sercovich. Catch up on all the articles that appeared in the Sustainable Ireland magazine . Alternatively, the individual articles can be accessed via the Irish Times website here.


A Vision 2050 is critical today for all businesses

BITCI News - Leadership - Apr 06, 2021

AUTHOR: Tomás Sercovich, CEO, Business in the Community Ireland

Thursday 25th March saw the most anticipated launch of the “Vision 2050: Time to Transform” at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Business in the Community Ireland is the national partner network for the WBCSD and as such we are engaged in bringing the message and deliverables of the newly launched Vision 2050 to our member companies and


The Sustainability Revolution

BITCI News - Apr 01, 2021

Our new virtual conference series, The Sustainability Revolution will take place from Monday 4th to Friday 8th of October 2021. This series is kindly supported by Abbott, BT, Gas Networks Ireland, IBM, J&J, KBC, Musgrave, Permanent TSB and Veolia. To register your interest, please email us at events@bitc.ie . A dedicated website with updates on speakers


Human rights

What Irish businesses need to know about human rights

Business & Human Rights - Apr 01, 2021

Launch of DFA guidance for business enterprises and practical webinar The Trinity Centre for Social Innovation of Trinity Business School in collaboration with the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights and the Human Rights Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs are delighted to invite you to the launch of new guidance on business and


HEINEKEN Ireland

HEINEKEN Ireland commits to science-based targets

Members News - Strategy - Apr 01, 2021

HEINEKEN Ireland has released its 2020 sustainability progress report demonstrating the strength of the brewers’ commitment to maintaining environmental progress despite the profound challenges Covid-19 presented for the drinks and hospitality sectors in the past 12 months.  The brewer has been removing plastic shrink and can connectors from across its portfolio of beers and ciders,


Mercury

Mercury commits to eliminating gender pay gap

Mercury’s CEO Eoin Vaughan , recently made an announcement that Mercury is committed to eliminating its gender pay gap. Read the full message below: “I am delighted to announce that Mercury has reached a major milestone in our journey towards gender equality and inclusion. “Just over a year ago, we started implementing a solid compensation structure


Aldi set to replace all plastic straws with recyclable paper

Members News - Environment - Apr 01, 2021

Aldi is introducing new, fully recyclable paper straws across its own-label Kids Smoothies and Orange/Apple Juice Cartons, becoming the first supermarket in Ireland to do so. The move sees more than 4.5 million single-use plastic straws removed from Aldi’s 145 stores each year. This equates to a massive saving of three tonnes of non-recyclable plastic.


Low Carbon Pledge

The launch of our new ambitious Low Carbon Pledge

Webinars - Mar 24, 2021

Today we launched our new ambitious Low Carbon Pledge and unveiled Ireland’s top companies who have signed up. Originally launched in 2018, the Pledge has now evolved and calls on all Irish businesses to work towards setting science-based emission reduction targets (i.e. what science says is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C) by 2024 at the latest.


Over 60 companies sign up to BITCI’s new Low Carbon Pledge and commit to setting science-based carbon emission reduction targets

BITCI News - Mar 24, 2021

Wednesday, 24th March: Over 60 of the largest companies in Ireland have publicly committed to set targets based on science by 2024. They are the first signatories of Business in the Community Ireland’s new Low Carbon Pledge. Business in the Community Ireland, the national network for sustainability, created the initial Low Carbon Pledge in 2018