Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2021
101. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action his Department is taking to help businesses decarbonise and prepare for a greener future in particular for smaller and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61143/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is actively assisting enterprises in preparing for a greener future. We are integrating climate action into all aspects of the Department and its agencies’ activities and assisting enterprises in doing so too.
The Department is facilitating a drive toward the green economy through its agencies. Earlier this year, Enterprise Ireland launched a Climate Enterprise Action Fund to assist Irish companies to build the capabilities required to deliver sustainable products, services and business models.
Enterprise Ireland’s forthcoming Strategy for the next four years will set out actions to embed sustainability and climate action as a fundamental part of its approach to company development and engagement with their clients.
The Local Enterprise offices run the “Green for Micro” programme on a national scale. The programme is designed to provide small businesses with tailored expert advice on how to drive sustainability. Qualifying businesses can access two days of intensive mentoring including a sustainability audit and action plan, designed to help "green" their operations.
The Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications recently launched the Climate Toolkit 4 Business. The Climate Toolkit 4 Business allows SMEs to input some simple information and get an estimate of their carbon footprint and a personalised action plan to reduce it. Each tailored action plan will include straight-forward practical instructions and highlights the relevant help that is available from Government, through agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The Toolkit will be particularly useful for SME and Micro enterprises at the beginning of their decarbonisation journey.
Ensuring all enterprises have the assistance they require to decarbonise is essential to maintaining resilience and competitiveness, particularly as consumer preferences change over time. My Department, in conjunction with its agencies, will ensure all enterprises have the opportunity to continue to grow while making the green transition.
