Three Kildare organisations shortlisted for 2026 Business & Finance ESG Awards

Three Kildare organisations have been recognised at national level by being shortlisted for the 2026 Business & Finance ESG Awards.

The 2026 Business & Finance ESG Awards presented in partnership with Grant Thornton, recognise excellence and impact across Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on April 16 2026 at the Mansion House, Dublin, where distinguished policy leader Marie Donnelly will be honoured with the ESG Leader Award.

Now in its fourth year, the Business & Finance ESG Awards continue to spotlight organisations that are embedding sustainability at the heart of their operations, driving meaningful change through innovation, accountability and long-term thinking.

This year’s shortlist reflects a significant increase in both the volume and quality of entries, highlighting the  importance of ESG across all sectors of the Irish economy.

The three Kildare organisations to be shortlisted for the awards are:

• Aldi Ireland (Co Kildare) – Employee Well-Being Award

• refurbed (Newbridge, Kildare) – ESG Company Award (SMEs)

• Barretstown (Kildare) – Social Impact Award (SME)

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Marie Donnelly has been announced as the recipient of the ESG Leader Award at the 2026 ESG Awards, presented in partnership with Grant Thornton.

A long-time advocate for forward-looking policy, Marie has played a pivotal role in accelerating Europe’s energy transition.

As former Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council and Director for Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Innovation at the Directorate-General for Energy (DG Energy) in the European Commission, she helped shape landmark initiatives, including the ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ package.

Her continued work across advisory boards and international networks reflects her enduring influence on sustainability, innovation and gender equality within the energy sector.

Clare Kilmartin, COO, Business & Finance, said: “The calibre of entries for the 2026 ESG Awards has been exceptionally strong, reflecting the growing maturity and ambition of ESG strategies across Irish business. We are seeing organisations move beyond commitments to deliver tangible, measurable impact.

“The shortlisted companies demonstrate not only innovation but a deep commitment to embedding sustainability into every aspect of their operations, setting a powerful benchmark for others to follow.”