--- title: 5 Things I Learned From Attending the Irish Sustainability Summit description: 5 Things I Learned From Attending the Irish Sustainability Summit image: https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog_-_5_things_I_learnt_about_sustainble_.png --- [![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/compliancelogo.svg)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/) - Products Products - - [C2P](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-compliance-knowledge-management-platform/) - [Regulations Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/conquering-the-regulatory-avalanche/) - [Standards Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/standards/) - [Requirements Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/heres-the-regulation-whats-next/) - [Regulatory Topics](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/regulated-areas/) - [WFSGI Compliant Labelling Requirements Database](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/WFSGI/) - Services Services - [Market Access Service](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/grow-in-new-markets/) - [Regulatory Process Consulting](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/best-practices-in-compliance-processes/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/ehs-and-your-legal-registers/) - [Managed Services](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/solutions-for-every-day/) - [Training and Systems Implementation](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/training-and-systems-implementation/) - [Ask Our Experts](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/your-compliance-question) - Resources News & Resources - [Blog](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/news-resources?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [Commentary & Analysis](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/commentary-analysis?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [COVID-19](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Webinars](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/webinars/) - [White Papers & eBooks](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/whitepapers/) - [About](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) Compliance & Risks - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-requirements-industries/) - [History](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-and-risks-history/) - [Careers](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-risks-careers/) - [Knowledge Partners](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/knowledge-partners/) - [Partners & Affiliates](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/becoming-a-compliance-risks-partner/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) COVID-19 Regulatory Developments [Find Out More](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Book a demo](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/book-a-demo/) - [Eng](https://complianceandrisks.com) - [日本語](http://complianceandrisks.jp/) ![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/burger.svg) Search for: # 5 Things I Learned From Attending the Irish Sustainability Summit --- ##### 05 November 2015 [![Sustainability](https://go.adherent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog_-_5_things_I_learnt_about_sustainble_.png?width=161&height=161&name=Blog_-_5_things_I_learnt_about_sustainble_.png)](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog_-_5_things_I_learnt_about_sustainble_.png)In an increasingly uncertain and changing world, one thing is clear: companies must evolve and adapt in order to achieve success. The inaugural Sustainability Summit, which took place in Dublin at the beginning of November 2015, was designed to bring business leaders, innovators, regulators and government together to discuss and understand the emerging issues in **sustainability, business and growth** and identify practical solutions in today's changing world. Despite a certain well-known gathering of the world's tech industry down the road, this lesser-known though arguably more important summit attracted an equally strong attendance (although noticeably less media coverage). The summit covered key topics such as **energy efficiency, recycling, waste reduction, sustainable construction, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable packaging, regulations and policy** and a lot more. **So, what did I learn? ** 1. **Paris is where it's at!** With a mere four weeks remaining, the forthcoming UN climate talks in Paris in December were a hot topic and permeated many of the discussions. 20 years has passed since the first UN climate negotiations took place in Rio and unfortunately we are still dealing with the same problems. Discussions took place on what the talks will mean for Irish business, regulatory bodies and government. Since the disappointment of the collapse of the talks in Copenhagen 2009, hopes for the forthcoming talks have dwindled somewhat. However, some remain optimistic that these talks will culminate in a ground breaking international agreement on emissions covering all nations of the world. The talks will not fix everything. However, they do represent an opportunity for businesses to organize and mobilize. Reduction of carbon emissions, setting corporate renewable energy goals, putting peer pressure on counterparts in the private sector and forging ties with government officials to lobby for greater climate action – are all ways to contribute towards addressing one of the biggest global crisis of our time. 1. **Sustainability is not a choice** Sustainability is no longer an optional add-on for business. It is an imperative. Companies, their suppliers, and indeed their suppliers' suppliers need to know that their supply chain is both safe and sustainable. EU emissions' reduction targets are influencing business planning in all sectors of the economy: construction, manufacturing, IT, food, aviation, energy, water, retail, hospitality, logistics, and supply chain.  Mere compliance with sustainable goals is not enough. Companies need to be proactive in order to succeed and get ahead of sustainable regulations. Are you a follower? Or do you get ahead of the game? Compliance management and regulatory knowledge are key. 1. **Sustainability of sustainability** How sustainable is sustainability?  Geoff Mackey of BASF Europe North entertained the delegates with BASF's success stories on how they built sustainability into their business strategy resulting in the 'greening of their value chain'. Despite the challenges (growing population, limited natural resources, economic and social differences etc), the consensus reached was that it is possible to combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Sustainability can add business value whilst protecting the people, the planet and corporate reputation. 1. **'Dirty'  vs 'Clean' Digital Economy** The sustainable use and protection of data emerged as a key issue.  As the demand for IT products and services increases, so does the amount of data we produce globally – data that requires physical storage and access to reliable electricity. The energy choices that power cloud computing and Greenpeace's Dirty Cloud Index were two topics of particular interest.  Failure of any company that processes data to commit to clean energy is holding the sector back from being truly green. 1. **Is Ireland's future secure?** 'Securing Ireland's future' was the tagline used to advertise this inaugural event. The aim of the organizers is the creation of an annual event charting the progress of industry and the competitive advantage of Ireland Inc. However, the timing of this event coinciding with one of the biggest summits in the tech industry, meant that it received little if any media attention.  As the web summit migrates to Lisbon next year, let's hope the organizer's get the stage that they deserve. A truly interesting mix of individuals, companies, academics, government officials discussing the tools, connections and proactive solutions to take their sustainability programs to the next level can be the only way to secure the sustainable future of any country!   ![Picture of Joanne O'Donnell](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d3853fbd8712cbf1fe60c7345e7426b9) ### Written by [Joanne O'Donnell](https://go.adherent.com/commentary-analysis-old/author/joanne-odonnell) - - - - ## Featured Posts --- ![Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/icphso%202022%20(1).png) [Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/stacey-bowers-to-present-at-icphso-2022-annual-meeting-training-symposium) 26 January 2022 ![Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Regulating%20Explosive%20Atmospheres%20in%20the%20Workplace.png) [Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/regulating-explosive-atmospheres-in-the-workplace) 25 January 2022 ![What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Trending%20Jan%2022.png) [What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/whats-trending-in-compliance-jan-22) 24 January 2022 #### Ireland Office   Unit 9 Eastgate Avenue Eastgate Business Park Little Island Cork Ireland +353 (0)21 435 1990 [info@complianceandrisks.com](mailto:info@complianceandrisks.com) #### US Offices   New York 50 Fountain Plaza Suite 1400 Buffalo NY 14202 +1 716 939 1951   California P.O.Box 309 8712 Marysville Road Oregon House, CA 95962 – 0309 +1 530 216 4455 [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) #### Information - [Solutions](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-platform/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/industry-solutions/) - [News & Resources](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/resources/) - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about-us/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) - [About Us](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Get in touch](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) © 2021 Compliance and Risks Ltd. | [Privacy Policy](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/privacy-policy/)