Enterprise Climate Action 2026: What Ireland’s Businesses Are Telling Us About Climate Action

Climate action has entered a new phase in Irish business. For many organisations, the conversation is no longer centred solely on reducing emissions or responding to regulatory requirements. Increasingly, climate action is becoming a business priority because it is fundamental to resilience, competitiveness and long-term growth.

That is one of the strongest messages emerging from Enterprise Climate Action 2026: How Irish Businesses are Responding to Climate Challenges, part of an annual series of national reports from the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy.

Drawing on the Sustainability Leaders Programme action plans of more than 200 organisations across Ireland, the research examines the actions businesses are planning and already implementing, providing a practical picture of climate action across Irish enterprise. The report provides a unique insight into how businesses are responding to climate challenges, where they are focusing their efforts and the capabilities they believe will be most important for the future. It also features testimony from our learners, highlighting the benefits of programme participation in embedding the skills and confidence in building resilience and actioning change.

Climate resilience is becoming a business priority

One of the clearest findings from the research is the growing emphasis businesses are placing on resilience. 

Climate risks, supply chain disruption, rising costs, resource pressures and an evolving regulatory landscape are reshaping business priorities. Organisations increasingly recognise that responding to these challenges requires more than environmental initiatives; it requires stronger organisational capability, better decision-making and greater resilience. 

Across the action plans analysed, resilience, climate risk, resource management and identifying future opportunities consistently emerged as material business priorities. 

This represents an important shift. Climate action is no longer viewed simply as an environmental responsibility. It is increasingly recognised as an essential part of business strategy. 

Businesses are motivated by opportunity as well as compliance

While regulation continues to influence business decisions, it is no longer the only driver. The research found that organisations are equally motivated by improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, strengthening stakeholder confidence and creating competitive advantage. 

Businesses increasingly see climate action as an opportunity to modernise operations, improve productivity, attract customers and employees, and strengthen long-term resilience. This reflects a more mature approach to climate action, where organisations are looking beyond compliance towards creating lasting business value.  

From ambition to measurable action

Perhaps the most encouraging finding is that businesses are translating ambition into structured action. 

The report shows organisations developing practical action plans with measurable objectives focused on areas such as: 

• reducing energy and resource consumption. 
• improving operational efficiency. 
• strengthening employee capability. 
• embedding sustainability into governance and decision-making. 
• improving supply chain resilience and stakeholder engagement. 

Many organisations are also setting SMART targets, enabling them to monitor progress and demonstrate tangible outcomes. 

While many actions focus on achievable short-term improvements, almost two-thirds of organisations also identified at least one transformational initiative, demonstrating growing confidence to pursue more ambitious change over time. 

Capability is becoming a competitive advantage

Another important finding is the recognition that successful climate action depends on people as much as processes. Participants consistently highlighted the importance of leadership, internal expertise and cross-functional collaboration in embedding climate action across their organisations. 

Building capability is becoming just as important as developing climate strategies. Businesses recognise that navigating climate risks, responding to new technologies and adapting to changing customer and regulatory expectations requires new skills throughout the organisation. 

This is especially relevant as organisations begin to explore the role of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence in supporting more efficient operations and improved environmental performance. 

Looking ahead

Enterprise Climate Action 2026 provides a snapshot of where Irish businesses are today, but it also points towards the next stage of the journey.  As climate risks continue to intensify, organisations will increasingly need the skills and capability to adapt, build resilience and respond confidently to change.