Our Current Initiatives
The International Sustainable Finance Centre of Excellence is a national hub from which the Irish-located finance community is developing it’s response to sustainability demands and crafting the tools needed to achieve a net-zero future.
Aligned with government policy outlined in Ireland for Finance Strategy 2025, Irish National Sustainable Finance Roadmap and Climate Action Plan 2022, the Centre of Excellence is Action 1 of the roadmap. With sustainable finance activity surging globally, it is planned that the centre will lead on research, specialist talent development, and advocacy activities aimed at supporting the design, development and launch of innovative financial mechanisms to facilitate the transition to a net-zero economy, in Ireland and further afield.
The centre will host various communities of practice for it’s members, bringing together sustainable finance professionals to collaborate and communicate, sharing knowledge between one another as a community and may also include observers as relevant (observers include academia, industry, professional and specialist bodies).
The Centre is the national lead on research, talent development and leadership activities aimed at supporting the implementation of financial mechanisms designed to facilitate the transition to a sustainable economy here at home and further afield. A key output of the national Sustainable Finance Roadmap, the Centre is supported by the Department of Finance, Skillnet Ireland, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as key partners across the public and private sectors.
Members include AIB, Bank of Ireland, Davy, Deloitte Ireland, Eirgrid, EY, First Derivatives, Goodbody, IDA Ireland, Irish Life Investment Managers, KPMG, Maples Group, New Ireland Assurance, Permanent TSB, PWC and TD.
With sustainable finance activity surging globally, the centre will lead on research and development activities aimed at supporting the design, development and launch of innovative financial mechanisms to facilitate the transition to a sustainable economy.
The centre is a key output of a Sustainable Finance Roadmap, which has been developed by Sustainable Finance Ireland and UN-convened FC4S, in collaboration with public and private stakeholders across Ireland including the Department of Finance, Skillnet Ireland and internationally. Developing sustainable finance talent will be prioritised as a key pillar of the roadmap.
The Irish TCFD Campaign is supported by Sustainable Finance Skillnet and is an output of Action 4 from Ireland’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap to build capacity and reporting in disclosures. We work closely with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to develop bespoke training focused on TCFD and climate-related reporting more generally. More information about the TCFD recommendations and how they can be implemented can be found here.
Key elements of the campaign include standalone training and a longer-term capacity building programme developed with the UNEP FI and delivered in conjunction with Skillnet Ireland. This campaign aims to increase Irish support of TCFD and enhance the levels of climate-related reporting and disclosures in Ireland.
Sustainable Finance Skillnet, supported by Skillnet Ireland, is a learning network for companies of all sizes in the sustainability sector. Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland. Member companies work collaboratively to share best practice and to respond effectively to the specific skills needs of the sector. The network addresses both technical and non-technical skills needs of members.
The objective of this national network is to support sustainable business growth and practices in Ireland by embedding sustainable approaches within firms through the delivery of specialised training aimed at business leaders and employees.
Sustainable Finance Skillnet is promoted by Sustainable Finance Ireland t/a Sustainability Matters CLG. Membership of the network is open to private enterprises in the sustainability and international financial services sectors based in the Republic of Ireland.
Climate Finance Week Ireland is a unique programme of events that focus on sustainable finance and responsible investment as well as Ireland’s drive to a carbon neutral economy. Supported by the Department of Finance and sponsored by AIB.
