SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOL DRIVES SUSTAINABILITY PROGRESS IN IRELAND’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT

● 89% of companies using the School report a better understanding of sustainability.
● 2,059 individuals from 565 companies engaged with the School, accessing over 10,625 resources.
● 74% of companies became more collaborative and 64% improved supply chain relationships.
● Half of companies reported positive action on biodiversity, and one-third say the School supported carbon reporting.
● Quality ratings for training remain strong, with 88% rating E-learning modules as good or excellent.


The Supply Chain Sustainability School in Ireland, launched in January 2024 to upskill the construction and infrastructure supply chain, has today released its first Annual Impact Report, showcasing significant progress in advancing sustainable practices across the Irish built environment.

The School, now supported by 25 Partners, supports a free, shared learning platform to help suppliers build their understanding of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics. In its first full year, 2,059 individuals from 565 companies engaged with the School, collectively accessing over 10,625 resources – an average of 5.16 resources per learner.

Andrew Wilson, Programmes Manager at Supply Chain Sustainability School, stated: “This first Impact Report confirms the School’s value in delivering practical knowledge that drives change. With 89% of companies reporting improved sustainability understanding and high demand for topics like carbon, strategy, and procurement, we’re building momentum in the right areas.”

Members are not only learning – they are taking action. The report highlights that:
96% of respondents are actively working to reduce carbon emissions, with 71% now reporting them.
38% say the School helped with carbon reduction or reporting, and 249 companies registered for the CIF Carbon Calculator, with 84 using it for emissions reporting.
74% of users report greater collaboration, and 64% developed better relationships with their supply chain as a result of School learning.
Over two-thirds improved understanding of modern slavery and responsible sourcing, and half have taken action on biodiversity.

Learning preferences are evolving, with virtual learning formats proving highly popular: 90% rated webinars as excellent or good, with similar high scores for online workshops (87%) and conferences (82%). E-learning modules and Sustainability Shorts also scored well, with 88% and 71% of users respectively rating them good or excellent.

The School’s member feedback is also shaping its future. Key recommendations from the report include the need to continually update content, drive carbon literacy, and support behavioural change through accessible, action-driven learning. Notably, 84% of members prefer online or mostly virtual learning formats – an endorsement of the School’s digital-first approach.

With 9 in 10 users saying they would recommend the School to others, the foundations are firmly in place for the School’s continued growth across Ireland.

The full Impact Report can be found here: https://learn.supplychainschool.ie/local/resourcelib/catalogitem.php?id=734

For more information or to register for free, visit: https://www.supplychainschool.ie

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE