Stepping through the largest revolving glass door I’ve ever seen, I was immediately struck by a wave of pressure. Allied Irish Bank (AIB), one of Ireland’s “big four” banks, has an imposing presence—but this isn’t the kind of pressure I’m referring to in the title.

The pressure comes from the extensive EU sustainability regulations organizations like AIB must follow, and the reward is the long-term benefit to our people and our planet.

We began our meeting with a discussion of the two major directives AIB follows: The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

While some organizations might panic and oppose such heavy legislation, I was inspired by how positively our speakers spoke of them. They were not just ticking a box; they wanted real change.

I asked Paul Kelly of AIB and Katie Heston of Goodbody Clearstream what change they would like to see in the next 10 years in terms of sustainability regulation in the EU. Their responses both mentioned having a genuine desire for sustainable practices and reporting, rather than simply following rules. This is something I’d love to be adopted into the U.S., as it’s clear a large chunk of our sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives are performative and not measurable.

Despite not necessarily seeing myself working in the banking industry, I left AIB with a stronger grasp on how to implement meaningful sustainability campaigns in other professional settings.

I Can’t wait for own next trip!

– Graeme Duffey