In line with the requirements of the Task Force on Climate Related Disclosures (TCFD) and obligations associated with the Irish Climate Action Plan, Coillte introduced a new sustainability and climate-related governance process in 2021. By early 2023, the Group Sustainability Governance Structure was fully established with the Group Sustainability Committee being the key link between divisional Green Teams, senior management and the Board. Coillte’s Sustainability Governance Structure ensures that the organisation’s financial, ethical, social, and environmental governance is in line with best practice and fully aligns with its overarching corporate governance.

 

A baseline assessment of Coillte’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the Scope 1 and 2 categories was completed in 2022 and an assessment of Scope 3 commenced in 2023. Key carbon reduction pathways were identified and targets for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions were also agreed. In 2023, Coillte continued to engage in a pilot test of the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance. The GHG Protocol Pilot gave Coillte the opportunity to test the draft guidance and to provide suggestions for improvement of the final version. In 2024, Coillte is planning to submit its carbon reduction targets for verification through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Coillte’s forestry strategic vision aims to sustainably balance and deliver multiple benefits from its forests across four strategic pillars: climate, nature, wood, and people. The associated FESLUP 2023-2050 and SEA demonstrate Coillte’s ongoing commitment to strong climate-related governance and carrying out all business practices in line with sustainability principles.

Coillte recognises the importance of sustainable procurement practices as a crucial foundation for an organisation to operate responsibly in a rapidly changing world. By considering environmental, social, and economic factors in Coillte’s procurement decisions, the business can create value not only for the organisation but also for wider society.

In 2022, Coillte developed a Sustainable Procurement Policy which was then integrated into the Group Procurement Policy. A new governance process was also established to ensure that the policy is regularly reviewed and updated. A list of sustainable procurement principles was established as part of the review process. These principles ensure that procurement processes have a positive environmental, social and economic impact over the lifecycle of purchases and contracts.

The following principles have been adopted in the policy:

Environmental:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve improvements in energy efficiency.
• Ensure responsible waste management, including waste minimisation, disposal and recycling, and a focus on the circular economy.
• Minimise water consumption while maximising water quality.
• Protect and enhance biodiversity in Coillte forests.

Social:

• Suppliers to adopt appropriate business practices and ensure no money laundering, fraud, bribery, corruption, or conflict of interest is taking place in their activities.
• Contractors to comply with International Labour Organisation principles in respect of human rights and conditions of employment.
• Coillte to provide a safe, secure, and inclusive working environment for employees and contractors.
• Coillte operations to minimise the use of hazardous materials which may represent a danger to people involved.

Economic:

• Ensure value for money continues to be a focus in all areas of procurement.
• Support small and medium sized enterprises as well as locally based businesses.
• Consider the full lifecycle cost of products and services.
• Ensure the business pays suppliers on time and in accordance with contractual terms.

 

In 2023, Coillte developed divisional Procurement Strategies which set out the process for adopting these principles in the procurement process. This will ensure that both Coillte and its suppliers can work together to enhance the physical and social environment.