View full shortlist of finalists across all categories
Leading Organisations Shortlisted for the 2026 ESG Awards in Partnership with Grant Thornton
25 Mar 2026
Marie Donnelly to receive ESG Leader Award at ceremony in The Mansion House
Ireland’s leading organisations have been announced as finalists for the 2026 Business & Finance ESG Awards, in association with Grant Thornton, recognising excellence and impact across Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on 16 April 2026 at the Mansion House, Dublin, where distinguished policy leader Marie Donnelly will be honoured with the ESG Leader Award.
Now in its fourth year, the Business and Finance ESG Awards continue to spotlight organisations that are embedding sustainability at the heart of their operations, driving meaningful change through innovation, accountability and long-term thinking. This year’s shortlist reflects a significant increase in both the volume and quality of entries, highlighting the importance of ESG across all sectors of the Irish economy.
Marie Donnelly – ESG Leader Award Recipient
Marie Donnelly has been announced as the recipient of the ESG Leader Award at the 2026 ESG Awards, presented in partnership with Grant Thornton.
A long-time advocate for forward-looking policy, Marie has played a pivotal role in accelerating Europe’s energy transition. As former Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council and Director for Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Innovation at the Directorate-General for Energy (DG Energy) in the European Commission, she helped shape landmark initiatives, including the ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ package.
Her continued work across advisory boards and international networks reflects her enduring influence on sustainability, innovation and gender equality within the energy sector.
The Business and Finance ESG Awards
Sustainability remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time. According to EPA projections, Ireland is currently on track to achieve a reduction of just 29% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, falling short of the national target of 51%, underlining the critical role businesses must play in delivering sustainable solutions.
The ESG Awards provide a vital platform for recognising organisations that are leading this transformation, offering measurable benchmarks and celebrating best practice across 18 categories, including ESG Innovation, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, and ESG Company of the Year.
Janice Daly, Partner and Sustainability lead at Grant Thornton, commented that:
“At Grant Thornton, sustainability is not a standalone initiative; it is embedded in our culture and in how we grow, innovate and lead. In an increasingly complex business landscape, this year’s finalists have shown how integrating ESG matters into business strategy can deliver long‑term value and real impact. Many have continued to progress their sustainability commitments despite the broader uncertainties facing businesses today. Their approach shows that strong governance, climate-related and environmental responsibility, along with social impact, are essential to building resilient and responsible organisations. We are pleased to recognise the finalists who are setting a clear benchmark for responsible business across Ireland.”
Clare Kilmartin, COO, Business and Finance, said:
“The calibre of entries for the 2026 ESG Awards has been exceptionally strong, reflecting the growing maturity and ambition of ESG strategies across Irish business. We are seeing organisations move beyond commitments to deliver tangible, measurable impact. The shortlisted companies demonstrate not only innovation but a deep commitment to embedding sustainability into every aspect of their operations, setting a powerful benchmark for others to follow.”
The full shortlist of finalists across all categories can be found here.
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