Bringing together members of the professional services and Irish funds industry to help identify solutions that promote sustainability.
Centered on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, participants will be asked to assess and identify achievable and impactful steps that the Irish funds industry can implement - the proposed solutions could relate to product innovations, new platforms for engagement, corporate initiatives, use of technologies, or other ideas.
In 2024, the focus will be on the reduction of single-used plastics in professional services firms and/or its linkage to artificial intelligence (‘’AI’’); specifically in support of SDG 12: Sustainable consumption and production, but also SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water and SDG 15: Life on land.
This theme came about considering the Earth Day 2024 theme ‘Planet vs Plastics’, which is taking place on 22nd April, and which sees Grant Thornton kicking off their annual celebrations of Earth Week from 22nd – 26th April.
The Sustainathon 2024 Teams will be asked to join a two-day workshop which will focus on developing solutions for the elimination of single-use plastics in the workplace.
Single-use plastics, although convenient in many industries, pose serious environmental threats. They contribute to pollution and can harm land and marine ecosystems as well as human health.
AI is increasingly vital in modern society, revolutionizing fields like healthcare, finance, and transportation. It's transforming how we interact with technology, enhancing efficiency, and enabling new innovations.
AI's ability to analyze data, predict trends, and optimize processes is being utilized to enhance recycling efforts and develop alternatives to single-use plastics.
This technology is used by various companies such as MKAI, Clean Hub, Amazon as well as Panda Ireland; and aids in better waste management, identifying recyclable materials, and fostering innovations in sustainable packaging.
It is an important topic of discussion in discovering the role of professional institutions in the elimination of single-use plastics in the coming years.
Individuals at any level from Irish Funds member firms are invited to take part. Also, college students from any discipline (Climate Finance, Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Finance, Geography and Engineering etc.) are also encouraged to partake.
Why get involved?
For companies, it is an opportunity to participate in influencing the direction of the wider industry, to support a key Sustainability agenda, and for the potential to drive innovation.
Official registration is open.
Once registered you will be contacted by email; put into multi-disciplined teams and assigned a facilitator. Teams are invited to take part in our two-day workshop and present your ideas to the Judging Panel (in a dragons-den style), on 23rd and 24th April, at the Grant Thornton offices in Dublin, where the winning entry will be chosen.
The winning team will showcase their proposal at the Irish Funds Annual Global Funds Conference in May 2024.
Grant Thornton will support the winning initiative to bring it to implementation. This could take the form of providing technical resources, the provision of a workshop with Grant Thornton and the Green Team Network or helping to write a strategy document.
For more information, or any queries, please email gtsustainathon@ie.gt.com.