It’s clear that sustainability is no longer an optional add-on for business. In a commercial world of 5 and 10 year plans, adapting to climate change is now an imperative. Companies need to know that their supply chain is both secure AND sustainable. Shareholders and customers are increasingly demanding to know where their products are coming from. Market advantage will flow to those companies which can prove it.

EU emissions reduction targets are already influencing business planning in all sectors of the Irish economy: construction, manufacturing, IT, food, aviation, energy, water, retail, hospitality, logistics and supply chain. Innovations and entrepreneurial skills have all ready begun to create a more sustainable Ireland, and this will be reflected in the National Sustainability Summit.

The purpose of the National Sustainability Summit is to create a forum where business leaders, innovators, regulators and government can examine both the commercial opportunities in the emerging green economy as well as the challenges in achieving sustainability goals. Our aim is to create an annual event which will chart how industry is progressing and how Ireland Inc can secure competitive advantage.

This is not just a social call-to-action but a wake-up call for Irish businesses.