Call for businesses to prioritise sustainability in 2024

Photographed at the launch of this year’s MODOS circular economy training course is l-r: Sean O’Haire Head of Marketing of Viva Green Group; Declan Bogan, Clear Stream Solutions (trainer); Dr Joanne Rourke, Regional Resource Efficiency Officer at the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices; Hugh Coughlan, Regional Waste Management Coordinator for the Eastern Midlands Region; Sandra Reynolds, Local Enterprise Office at Dublin City and Declan Breen, Group Head of Sustainability at Zeus Packaging.

As 2023 draws to a close, thousands of businesses across Ireland are currently in the process of developing their business strategy for 2024. Many will be focused on sustainability, looking at how they can implement circular economy practices or climate-positive and carbon reduction measures.

From January 2024 onwards, Irish businesses will, at different stages, be required to comply with the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This new law will place responsibilities on businesses to accurately report their sustainability efforts and climate impact. 

Those responsible for the sustainability management in their businesses will benefit greatly from the MODOS programme, which has announced three programme dates in 2024, with the first course starting in early February 2nd. 

WHAT DOES THE COURSE ENTAIL?

The MODOS course is designed to equip SMEs to apply circular economy principles in their business. The programme will cover topics such as: Circular economy principles; Supply chain; Resource efficiency; Design thinking and innovation; Carbon emissions; Customer engagement and marketing.

The training is practical and aims to help SMEs reduce waste and carbon emissions, while creating opportunities to save money, increase resilience and boost competitive advantage.

Each programme will consist of a three-module series and will be delivered online. Due to the practical nature of the training, each of the programmes, starting on February 2nd, April 12th and May 24th 2024, is limited to 25 people.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 MODOS training programmes, Dr Joanne Rourke, Regional Resource Efficiency Officer at the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices said: “Irish businesses are at the heart of our economy, so it is our responsibility to equip them with the correct information to implement circular economy practices into their businesses. The MODOS training course has been hugely successful, with over 100 businesses completing the training. We want to continue to build on this success by helping more businesses this year.”

SUITABLE FOR SME’s 

The three training programmes planned for 2024 will be delivered by leading experts in circular economy principles, including Change by Degrees, Munster Technological University and SustHub.

The MODOS training programme is suitable for SMEs across Ireland (companies of up to 250 employees) from all sectors, but particularly food, retail, manufacturing, textiles/fashion, electronics, construction and the built environment, plastics and packaging.

The training is free and to sign up to any of the three courses taking place in 2024 or for more information, visit www.modos.ie