Ireland’s green industry is seeing broader organisational engagement with sustainability, according to new findings from EY Ireland’s latest State of Sustainability report.

The research, based on responses from 200 senior decision-makers, highlights how environmental and social factors are becoming more deeply embedded in business planning across multiple sectors.

The report shows that 62 per cent of Irish organisations have now assigned sustainability responsibility at senior leadership level, compared with 53 per cent in the previous year. Seventeen per cent said their CEO holds direct oversight.

EY notes that this increased ownership is contributing to closer alignment between commercial and sustainability strategies, with 73 per cent stating that environmental and social considerations are part of how business priorities are set. A further 69 per cent said these considerations are used to assess organisational performance.

Despite the rise in ESG ambition, confidence in delivery remains uneven. Thirty-seven per cent of respondents reported having a net zero goal, but only 26 per cent expressed strong confidence in achieving it. The report attributes this gap to challenges tied to investment requirements, regulatory changes, and wider geopolitical uncertainty. Businesses cited community impact as their most important area of focus at 81 per cent, followed by climate risk at 74 per cent and water stewardship at 73 per cent.

EY’s research also indicates that external developments are influencing sustainability strategies. Eighty per cent of surveyed organisations said their approach has been shaped by factors such as new EU regulatory changes, recent policy shifts in the United States, and broader geopolitical pressures.

EY states that progress continues but that operational complexity and changing global conditions remain key factors affecting the pace of implementation across Ireland’s green industry.Access the full article to review the complete breakdown of the report’s findings.