According to PwC’s Global Investor Survey 2024:

• 94% of investors believe ESG data should be assured to the same standard as financial data

• 75% say they would penalise companies that fail to provide complete Scope 3 emissions disclosures

• 78% plan to reallocate capital away from ESG underperformers

The message is clear: vague estimates and partial disclosures are no longer acceptable.

Since 2022, under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and supported by the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the legal obligation to ensure the accuracy of sustainability disclosures—including Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions—sits squarely with the project owner. That means government agencies, developers, and investors are now directly accountable for the quality, traceability, and audit-readiness of emissions data across their projects.

It is no longer acceptable to shift this responsibility onto third-party contractors, hauliers, or suppliers. If the data used for reporting is incomplete, estimated, or unverifiable, it is the owner entity, not the subcontractor, that will be held liable under law.

Ireland is on a journey towards a circular economy, and the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024–2030 plays a crucial role in shaping this transformation. A major aspect of this plan is the implementation of robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track progress towards construction and demolition (C&D) waste reduction and recycling targets, ensuring transparency and accountability.

County councils across Ireland are tasked with executing these measures within their jurisdictions, working closely with national and EU regulatory bodies. These efforts are essential in driving Ireland’s construction waste management practices forward and aligning them with the highest environmental standards.

The EPA State of the Environment Report 2024 paints a clear picture of the environmental challenges Ireland faces. The report underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution through systemic solutions. With sectors like construction, energy, and transport being major contributors to environmental degradation, there is a growing push for stricter regulations and digital solutions to track, manage, and mitigate these impacts. For businesses, this means adapting to new realities of compliance, transparency, and sustainability.

Based on the Green Public Procurement (GPP) Guidance for the Irish Public Sector, Hub360 can assist in several important areas related to green procurement and compliance, particularly in terms of data management, sustainability, and tracking environmental performance:

As the European Union sharpens its focus on sustainable finance, the recent adoption of the European Green Bond (EuGB) standard marks a pivotal step in ensuring that funds raised for green projects are used responsibly and transparently. For public bodies accessing green finance, this development highlights the critical need to report on their sustainability practices and maintain a proper audit trail for scrutiny. Hub360 is a crucial tool in achieving these objectives, ensuring that public sector entities not only comply with new regulations but also set a benchmark for transparency and accountability in green finance.