Some 12 Irish companies were in recipient of CDP’s highest ‘A’ climate rating in 2025, double that of the previous year, the latest annual review from the CDP Ireland Network has found.
Companies to achieve a CDP ‘A’ rating last year included Accenture, CRH, Cairn Homes, DCC, Eaton Corporation, Glenveagh Properties, John Sisk & Son, Johnson Controls International, Kerry Group, Ryanair, Trane Technologies and Version 1.
In addition, four Irish companies achieved ‘A-‘ ratings, including C&C Group, Experian Group, Kingspan Group and the National Treasury Management Agency.
Environmental disclosure
The achievement marks the highest number of companies in Ireland ever recognised by CDP, the global non-profit organisation that operates the world’s most recognised environmental disclosure system.
As CDP Ireland noted, more than 900 companies headquartered or operating in Ireland are now disclosing environmental data through CDP, despite rising international geopolitical instability and economic scrutiny of ESG policies.
In addition, Irish climate leaders achieved Europe’s highest annual decarbonisation rate at 6.7%, although the broader Irish corporate average remained lower at 3.2%, the report found.
‘Leadership position’
“Corporate environmental disclosure is no longer a business hygiene factor,” commented Mark Bennett, executive director of CDP Ireland Network. “Whether looking to grow your business, reduce costs, avoid risk and increasingly to meet regulatory expectations, an increasing number of companies are disclosing their emissions and climate impacts.
“Companies scoring A grades are those with the most accurate picture of their environmental impacts and they will be seen by investors, clients and all stakeholders as being the best equipped to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. What is particularly significant this year is that Irish companies are increasing their leadership position despite wider ESG headwinds internationally.”
Bennett added that the record number of Irish companies achieving an ‘A’ rating “sends a strong signal internationally about the ambition and maturity of Ireland’s corporate sustainability agenda. But the fact remains that we are still not making the progress necessary. So, despite the short-term geopolitical turmoil, the long-term winners will be the companies who stay the course and continue to demonstrate environmental leadership and resilience.”
At a global level, CDP’s disclosure platform measures corporate performance on climate change among firms with combined assets of more than $110 trillion. Read more here.
