Business and sustainability has transformed over 25 years [Video]

Johnny Meehan, head of sustainability consulting, Forvis Mazars, traces what has brought us to the current standpoint for business and environmental obligations and where we go from here

As autumn begins, we notice the change in the weather, with renewed traffic congestion as workers return from holidays and students go back to school.

While some things feel familiar, the world of business and sustainability has transformed dramatically over the past 25 years.

In the 1990s, many of us were starting our careers; emails were new, mobile phones were bulky, and climate change was a distant concern.

Today, the challenges of sustainability are more urgent than ever.

Back in 1999, the Keeling Curve, which tracks CO2 levels in the atmosphere, recorded 368 parts per million (ppm).

By 2024, this figure had climbed to 426.7 ppm, and this year, global temperature rise due to human activity exceeded the critical 1.5-degree threshold.

This lack of progress is reflected in Ireland …