News, Blog & Events
We’re thrilled to announce the completion of our Sustainable Supply Chain Pilot which ran from March to September this year with two anchor clients and 16 suppliers. A Success Story When we launched the pilot, it was with a view to helping manufacturing and construction companies […]
The European Commission has proposed targeted changes to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to ensure a smoother implementation, primarily by reducing the administrative load on smaller companies and downstream actors and allowing more time to prepare the core IT system. Defining Company Sizes (EU Standard) The […]
The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging is a government policy that shifts the full financial responsibility for managing packaging waste (including collection, sorting, and recycling) from local authorities and taxpayers onto the businesses that first place the packaging on the UK market (the […]
We’re delighted to welcome three more companies to our client list here at GIRAFFE Associates Ltd.Our base of construction clients continues to grow with GRAHAM engaging us to deliver certified Carbon Literacy in Construction training to a number of its staff and Errigal Group bringing us […]
At GIRAFFE Associates, we believe good strategy starts with good data, hence our recent partnership with SustainIQ. Through The Long View, we aim to provide the insights you need to navigate the evolving landscape of ESG and corporate sustainability. But first, you need to understand your […]
GIRAFFE Associates Ltd is delighted to be confirmed as the preferred consultancy partner for SustainIQ, bringing tailored advice and support to complement the power of SustainIQ’s ESG software platform. Credible data is a cornerstone of good ESG management, providing valuable insights into problem areas, evidence for […]
Exciting news for businesses striving to be sustainable! GIRAFFE Associates and SOK Consultancy are joining hands to offer a broader range of services when it comes to sustainability and ESG.
There’s no better place to spend a summer than by the beach and although I only braved the sea once, Whitehead was the perfect backdrop for the third and final placement of my Master’s in Leadership for Sustainable Development at Queen’s. This eight-week placement at GIRAFFE […]
We’ve been advised by someone who knows about these things that having a mascot is a good idea and with a name like GIRAFFE Associates, there’s an obvious contender! One of the reasons we chose the name GIRAFFE Associates was because of its uniqueness in standing […]
Changing Regulatory Landscape At the start of 2025, over 50,000 businesses operating in the EU expected to fall under mandatory Sustainability Reporting requirements within the next two to three years. This anticipation spurred many into action, trying to get to grips with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability […]
It’s been a busy few months here with four new clients signed up for a range of diverse projects. It’s lucky we’re expanding the team – more to come on that in the next issue! Our base of construction clients continues to grow with McAvoy engaging us […]
We’re excited to update you on our Supply Chain Sustainability Pilot, running from March to September this year. This initiative aims to elevate the environmental and social performance of suppliers within our construction and advanced manufacturing clusters, benefitting both supplier and client alike. Funded by a […]
You’ve probably heard the term “circularity” popping up in business chat, but what does it really mean for your company, and how can you put it into practice? Simply put, circularity is about moving away from the old “take-make-dispose” approach to a “use-and-reuse” mindset. Think about […]
Social Value is fast becoming a core consideration in public procurement and we’re seeing a number of clients, especially in construction, where its growth now requires a team of people to meet the demand. Although it’s not a new concept, it has become increasingly embedded, and […]
Join us on 8th October 2025 from 12:30 to 13:30 at The Black Box for the last, but not least, ‘Sustainability ‘Bites’ for businesses in the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast. In this session, Jayne Adair will explore how to communicate your sustainability efforts in a […]
Join us on 1st October 2025 from 12:30 to 13:30 at The Black Box for the third Sustainability ‘Bites’ for businesses in the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast. In this practical and insightful session, sustainability expert Gillian McKee will guide attendees through creating a tailored roadmap […]
Join us on 24th September from 12:30 to 13:30 at The Black Box for the second session of Sustainability ‘Bites’ for businesses in the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast. Sally O’Kane will be exploring how businesses can drive social value through sustainability. Moving beyond environmental concerns, […]
Join us on 17th September 2025 from 12:30 to 13:30 at The Black Box for the first of four ‘Sustainability ‘Bites’ for businesses in the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast. This session, led by Sally O’Kane, will explore how understanding and adopting circular economy principles can […]
GIRAFFE Associates Ltd has partnered with Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) to launch a series of lunchtime ‘Sustainability Bites’ sessions, following a successful taster session in May. Explore the practical benefits of circularity for your business at the first session, where Sally O’Kane, an experienced […]
I can’t believe that my eight-week placement at GIRAFFE Associates has already come to an end. The time flew by – but I think this is only underlining how much I enjoyed my time here. With this post, I would like to give you some insights […]
There was a time, not so very long ago, when I avoided anything business-related with the tag ‘women’ or ‘women-only’, feeling no desire to set myself apart on the basis of my gender or seek any special dispensation for being a female. I viewed it as […]
I’ve always made a tacit assumption that companies with women in leadership roles are more likely to care about issues like sustainability. It was only when I started to look into the topic in preparation for Women in Business’s Voices of Leadership Conference that I realized […]
As a sustainability consultant I usually write my blogs from a business standpoint. However, this one takes a more personal approach to look at the things we can do as individuals to be more mindful of our impact on the world around us. I’ve considered this […]
I am far from a whizz when it comes to savvy financial management – stocks, shares, portfolio allocation, funds and dividends are all terms that tend to make my brain go fuzzy and switch off. It’s just not my thing. So, who am I to be […]
In 2021, I was very excited to get on to a highly competitive training course to become a B Leader. As one of only two people in Northern Ireland trained to help companies through the rigorous process of certifying as a B Corporation, I expected to […]
Whatever business you’re in, it’s unlikely you’re immune to the growing demands for action when it comes to your impact on the planet and wider society. Perhaps you’re facing calls for disclosures about your environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts from investors or large business customers, […]
This is a post about how useful the SDGs can be for a business and why, no matter what your sector, size or location, you should get to know them if you have any interest in running a resilient business you can be proud of.
Greenwashing is an increasing risk for businesses and one that can damage reputation if a company falls foul. Read our six simple tips to avoid greenwashing and ensure your marketing is truthful and transparent.
Have you been asked about your “net-zero journey” yet? What goals you’ve set, how you’re planning to get there? Maybe a client or customer has enquired or you’ve been asked to outline your targets in a tender document or when seeking investment? Or maybe no-one’s raised […]
The rise of ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, has come from a growing awareness within the investor community of the need for more accountability and a focus on non-financial reporting by the companies in which they invest.
In late 2020, sustainability professionals from three major companies burst my bubble (one I didn’t even know I was in), during a webinar. I won’t name the companies, because what would that gain? The point is that all three are considered sustainability leaders in their sector […]
You know how when you’re really engaged with something, you care about it, feel loyal towards it and will do your best to support it? It could be a club you’ve joined or your kids’ school or a group of friends you love to spend time […]
The concept of 'shared value' between business and wider society is explored along with the importance of measurement
Is it possible to rewrite our narrative to cope better in a VUCA world gone mad?
