Grant Thornton Ireland Named One of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champions for 2025 – 2027
DUBLIN, December 16, 2025: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, has announced that Grant Thornton Ireland, together with 19 other organisations, has been selected as one of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for 2025 – 2027.
The firm was one of 90 organisations that applied to take part in this initiative. Having been appointed for an 18-month term, Grant Thornton Ireland will join a movement that aims to advance Ireland’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – the 17 goals designed to deliver sustainable development for people and the planet.
Over the past decade, the firm’s growth has been matched by a deep commitment to embedding the principles of sustainability into every aspect of its business. This approach drives innovation, resilience, and responsible progress. At the heart of this strategy are four key pillars - Environment, People, Community, and Governance - which together form a holistic framework for responsible progress. By aligning these pillars with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the firm has ensured that environmental stewardship and social responsibility stand on equal footing with economic success.
From net zero ambitions and inclusive workplace programmes to transparent governance and sector-wide engagement, Grant Thornton Ireland integrates sustainability into its operations, client solutions, and organisational culture. By aligning its strategy with the SDGs, the firm leverages its expertise to drive positive change and set a benchmark for responsible business leadership.
Becoming an SDG Champion represents a natural evolution in Grant Thornton’s sustainability journey. As a Champion, the firm will advocate for the SDGs, act as a best-practice example, share learnings, and engage communities through events and outreach, while leveraging its unique position as a professional services firm to influence peers, clients, and industries. This recognition underscores both past achievements and a strategic responsibility to drive meaningful change, balancing profitability with purpose and demonstrating that responsible business can be a catalyst for sustainable progress.
Announcing the appointments of the SDG Champions for 2025 - 2027, Minister O'Brien said:
“The world faces huge challenges in achieving the SDGs, with only 18% of the goals currently on track globally. However, this year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations, we are committed to achieving the vision and ambition of Agenda 2030, a roadmap for a fairer, safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. In fulfilling the ambition of the SDGs, we have made considerable progress, but more is needed, and faster, from all stakeholders – locally, nationally and internationally.
Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the Programme this year, demonstrating the continued commitment of Irish society to help achieve and promote the SDGs. Partnerships play a crucial role, and it is great to have such a diverse range of organisations working collectively towards a better future for everyone. The SDG Champions Programme recognises that everyone has a role to play, and everyone can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”
Commenting on the appointment of Grant Thornton as an SDG Champion for 2025 – 2027, Steve Tennant, CEO for EMEA and Managing Partner of Grant Thornton Ireland said:
“We are honoured to be selected as an SDG Champion for 2025 – 2027. This recognition by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is a powerful endorsement of the progress we have made – and a clear signal of the path ahead. At Grant Thornton, sustainability is not a standalone initiative; it is core to our culture and embedded in how we grow, innovate, and lead. Being named an SDG Champion reflects both our past achievements and our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where responsible business and sustainable impact go hand in hand.”
In September 2015, all 193 United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (“Transforming our World”). The 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity. Its focus is the 17 SDGs, also known as the ‘Global Goals’, and their 169 targets.
The SDG Champions Programme was developed in 2019 as an initiative to raise public awareness and showcase the work being carried out by appointed organisations to advance the SDGs. It also illustrates practical ways in which organisations and individuals can contribute to achieving the SDGs, demonstrating that everyone in society can play a part in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
ENDS
About SDG Champions Programme
Established in 2019, the SDG Champions Programme was developed to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate, through the examples provided by the SDG Champions, that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and as a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to the SDGs and integrate the SDGs into their work and activities.
Strategic Objective 3 of Ireland's Second SDG National Implementation Plan 2022-2024 (NIP) is 'Greater partnerships for the Goals'; the SDG Champions Programme is a key mechanism towards achieving this. Action 35 and related measures of the NIP relate to the SDG Champions Programme and its relaunch last year.
The key message of the Champions Programme is that the SDGs are for everyone in society and that everyone can make a contribution to their success.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien opened the call for applications to the 2025 – 2027 SDG Champions Programme in June 2025.
About Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton is a leading multinational professional services firm in Ireland, with approximately 2,900 people in offices across the island of Ireland, Bermuda, Isle of Man and Gibraltar. Our tax, audit and advisory teams work with organisations across sectors including technology, insurance, asset management, banking, life sciences, and aviation, as well as the public sector. We deliver practical solutions to help organisations achieve their goals, while maintaining our position as a leader in sustainability through long-term value creation, ethical practices and positive social impact.
In 2025, Grant Thornton Ireland joined forces with Grant Thornton US that was the catalyst for the creation of a multinational, multidisciplinary platform that offers premier advisory and tax services as well as independent audit practices. With offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of more than 20,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton Ireland is also part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which comprises member firms in more than 150 markets worldwide.
The audit practice in Ireland operates under an alternative practice structure (APS) similar to Grant Thornton in the US, which conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton Ireland serves as the Irish member firm of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.
Learn more at grantthornton.ie