10,000 small businesses are to be trained in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and climate resilience as part of a new programme.
The 'Plan it With Purpose' programme, which launches today, aims to get small businesses ESG ready to support growth and profitability.
The programme will be delivered by small business support platform, Enterprise Nation, in partnership with AIB and GS1, and a range of ESG experts.
Over the next 12 months, SMEs will receive free support via a purpose-built online platform, including a diagnostic tool, e-learning content and access to experts from the sustainability sector.
The entire programme will run virtually, including events, in an effort to reduce the impacts of climate change and increase social purpose for good within the Irish business community.
The programme will also include the Exchange Series where entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to receive guidance on what sustainability and ESG measures they need to factor in if they want to become suppliers to large corporates.
"Going green is no longer the preserve of large corporates," said Emma Jones, Founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation.
"All businesses, regardless of size are now expected to have sustainability embedded in their business whether it's packaging or production.
"Not only do customers expect and demand it, for any business looking to partner or supply a larger company, it will inevitably be required for procurement," she added.
Despite this, Ms Jones said that a third of Irish businesses are now only starting to address climate change.
"The drive towards sustainability has so far been customer-driven. What needs to happen next is for the small business community to respond and build responsible brands, while increasing profitability," she added.
