The sustainability transformation: assessing the readiness of Irish businesses

Nyhan, Marguerite M.; Fitzgerald , Tanya

The sustainability transformation: assessing the readiness of Irish businesses

Files

Nyhan_The-Sustainability-Transformation2022.pdf(15.17 MB)

Published Version

Date

2022-11

Authors

Nyhan, Marguerite M.

Fitzgerald , Tanya

Publisher

University College Cork and Microsoft

Abstract

The climate emergency is compelling enterprises to change their practices. Climate change is one of humanity's most urgent challenges, and this decade will be extremely important in terms of setting the world on a path to a sustainable and net zero future. Climate change is adversely impacting on the environment globally, with major implications for society. Rising sea levels, increasing temperatures and severe weather events are consequences of our changing climate. All of these pose a risk to society by impacting on our health, economies, infrastructure and biodiversity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2021) highlights that the primary cause of global warming is greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities and climate change will only get worse if these emissions keep increasing over time. Global warming needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to mitigate the continuation and intensification of these catastrophic impacts. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action to secure a sustainable and better future for everyone (UNDESA, 2022). Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the SDGs outline 'a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future' recognising that nations must focus on issues such as human rights, improving health and education, reducing inequality and tackling climate change in addition to the pursuit of economic prosperity. As such, businesses will have a major part to play in achieving the SDGs and their targets, as governments around the globe develop and implement directives in line with these goals. Concerns over environmental sustainability and a growing public and consumer awareness of climate change are pushing businesses to place sustainability and decarbonisation at the centre of their business strategy, operations and decision-making. Organisations must break away from "business as usual" approach to adopt sustainable practices that equally consider the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability.

Keywords

Climate emergency , Climate change , United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Nyhan, M. M. and Fitzgerald, T. (2022) 'The Sustainability Transformation: Assessing the Readiness of Irish Businesses'. University College Cork and Microsoft.