To what extent and why does Ireland's energy utility industry vary in its approach to sustainability in corporate strategy?

Morgan, Nathan (2024) To what extent and why does Ireland's energy utility industry vary in its approach to sustainability in corporate strategy? Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

With the first publication of the Climate Action Plan in 2019 Ireland entered a new period of sustainability and sustainable focus, the likes of which had never been seen in the country. In the following 5 years Ireland has made huge strides in renewable technology and development as well social sustainability, signing up for frameworks such as the UN sustainable development goals. With a target of being Net Zero by 2050, there is a huge effort here needed by all sectors. The energy sector in particular has published many corporate strategies in recent years showcasing their own roadmaps to be Net Zero. This study uses a qualitative method of interviews with industry professionals and academics to understand the how and why the energy utility industry in Ireland may vary in its approach to these corporate strategies. The study found that there is a huge range of challenges, unique reasons and opportunities facing the sector that underscore the need for a variance in approach. These range from huge emissions from fossil fuel generation promoting the need for renewable development, security of supply and customer affordability issues – in particular will intermittent renewable energy be enough? And the energy industry being ahead of other industries due to the nature of the business. Likewise, there is also geographic considerations at play for energy utilities in Ireland, with Ireland being perceived as behind in sustainability thinking, while the countries utilities also have to deal with policy issues around planning as well as Climate Action Plans and more high-level EU policy on renewables. This study suggests that within the energy utility industry in Ireland there is a high level of variance associated with sustainability, mainly based against other sectors such as agriculture as well as due to geographic and cultural norms associated with Ireland.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email MacDonald, Robert UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > Economics > Business H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > Energy industries G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences > Environment D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > Ireland
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Business Studies
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	26 May 2025 11:45
Last Modified:	26 May 2025 11:45
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/7649

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