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Skillnet Climate Ready Academy at the ESG & Sustainable Business Summit

Empowering the SME Transition

November 24, 2025   |   News

Maria Kelly, Director Skillnet Climate Ready Academy and Head of Policy at 20FIFTY Partners, speaking at the ESG & Sustainability Business Summit, Dublin.

The Croke Park Conference Centre became the hub for Ireland’s sustainability leaders on the 20th of November for the ESG & Sustainable Business Summit. As a key sponsor and exhibitor, the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy was on the ground to engage with the businesses, policymakers, and innovators driving the national transition toward a low-carbon economy.

The summit arrived at a pivotal time, as businesses of all sizes navigate the increasing demands of ESG reporting, supply chain transparency, and the urgent need for climate resilience.

Deep Dive: Unlocking Support for SMEs

A major highlight of the event was our dedicated speaking slot, where we participated in a critical ‘Deep Dive’ session: “How the VSME Can Help SMEs.”

Maria Kelly, Director of the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, shared her insights. The session focused on the Voluntary Small and Medium Enterprise (VSME) reporting standard. This is a vital tool designed to simplify the ESG landscape for smaller businesses, allowing them to report on their sustainability efforts in a structured, manageable way without the administrative burden faced by larger corporations.

The session sparked a vibrant discussion on how SMEs, the backbone of the Irish economy, can leverage these standards to remain competitive in global supply chains and demonstrate their green credentials to stakeholders and lenders alike.

Connecting with the Community

Beyond the podium, our exhibition stand was a hive of activity throughout the day. It provided a valuable physical space to move beyond our online platforms and connect personally with our community.

  • Meeting Our Learners: It was inspiring to meet current and past participants of our online training programmes, hearing first-hand how our training has translated into real-world sustainability actions and operational efficiencies.
  • Strengthening Partnerships: The summit offered a unique opportunity to catch up with our industry partners and stakeholders, ensuring our training remains aligned with the fast-moving needs of the Irish private sector.
  • Resource Sharing: Our team was on hand to guide businesses through our offering of live, fully funded online Sustainability training programmes on Sustainability, Biodiversity, Energy, Waste and Circular Economy.

Bridging the ESG Knowledge Gap

The recurring theme of the summit was clear: sustainability is no longer a “nice to have,” but a fundamental requirement for business longevity. However, the most significant barrier remains the skills gap.

At the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, we specialise in closing that gap. By providing practical, live online training, we empower professionals to take the high-level concepts discussed at summits like this and turn them into actionable strategies for their organisations.

Is your business ready for the ESG transition?

Explore our range of live online training programmes, from Biodiversity to Sustainability, and join the growing community of Irish businesses leading the way to a more sustainable future.