Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals are a shared blueprint for peace, prosperity, and planet. At Naomh Breandan Credit Union, we believe these goals start at a local level.
About the Sustainable Development Goals
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The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is responsible for the whole of Government approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The National Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024 sets out the overarching national governance framework for the SDG’s. The simple actions outlined here can help us all stay on the road to a prosperous planet. The 17 SDG Goals matter to us all because we are all responsible for being part of the change. Our actions today affect our children tomorrow and everyone deserves a fair and equal chance in life.
Sustainable Development Goals in our Community
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We work actively to localise the SDGs - adapting global goals to fit our community’s unique context. SDG is a community led initiative initiated by the credit union to bring people together through local partnerships and educational initiatives, we’re encouraging people of all ages to engage with sustainability and take meaningful action. Below you can find some of the local projects and information about all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how you can make an impact on the community.
SDG Treasure Hunt
A Sustainable Development Goals Treasure Hunt was organised by local Transition Year students in May 2025, this fun and educational event brought families together to explore the goals in the community. The incredible team of students planned it from scratch and a student-led podcast was also aired on local radio. The team were one of the finalists in the Galway Divisional Gardai's Annual Garda Youth Awards.
SDG Wooden Boxes
Crafted by the Loughrea Men’s Shed and are placed in relevant locations, these wooden boxes are all about highlighting goals. For example, SDG No. 14 ‘Life Below Water’ is placed by the lake and SDG No. 4 ‘Quality Education’ is by a local school. Each of the 17 boxes are place in relevant locations in our town.
Gaelscoil Riabhach SDG Displays
Many of the local schools are actively involved in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals. Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea have added large banners that were donated by the credit union featuring each goal on the walls and fencing around the school grounds.
Mini SDG Cubes on Tour
Smaller Sustainable Development Goal boxes that were donated by the credit union have travelled around the community, from the library to local schools and the Credit Union itself to raise awareness and educate people in the community about ways to make a sustainable impact.
Sustainable Development Goals Debate
Students from Gaelscoil Riabhach, Baile Locha Riach debating the Sustainable Development Goals in a debating competition. Jackie Conerney, representing Naomh Breandáin Credit Union with the Principal and teachers.
Our Operating Principles
When we compare our operating principles and the UN SDG goals, we see almost the same aspirations reflected in both frameworks.
We have been delivering on our operating principles for 60 years, but now we are using the UN SDGs framework as an opportunity to challenge our Credit Union to deliver more.
Throughout this AGM report we will look at our core operating principles through the lens of the UN SDGs.
Sustainable businesses deliver financial returns in the long term while generating positive value for society and operating within environmental constraints. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) set up the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (“UN SDGs”). 193 countries signed on to the plan, including Ireland. They represent an international consensus on conditions under which humanity can thrive
The Board of Directors views our progress on sustainability initiatives and reporting as a continuous journey.
We have been delivering on our operating principles for 60 years, and now we are using the UN SDGs framework as an opportunity to challenge our Credit Union to deliver more. We will look at our core operating principles through the lens of the UN SDGs
Learn More About the SDGs
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Our community is playing a vital role in shaping a more sustainable tomorrow - one project, one conversation, and one action at a time. Discover all of the 17 SDGs below:
Our Strength is Our People
Sustainability is deeply embedded into every aspect of the Credit Unions operating principles and ethos. We recognise that of the 17 united nations sustainable development goals, SDG 13 is Climate action and mitigating climate change, is the most important long-term goal for the quality and functioning of our planet. However, we also recognise that Credit Union members struggling with poverty and food costs (SDG 1 and 2), education needs (SDG 4), the cost of heating (SDG 7) and transport needs, (SDG 8) may place a lower priority on climate action. The Credit Union will support all members equally.
The Credit Union recognises that climate action comes with potential costs and risk.
Equally, we recognise climate action provides an opportunity to build resilience against the negative impacts of climate change. We endeavour to incentivise and support Credit Union members in Ireland’s green transition.
For members wishing to position themselves well to take advantage in the future of opportunities arising from the green transition, we aim to make our carbon reduction loan offerings as inexpensive as possible with repayments being funded by cost savings.
Whilst also protecting vulnerable members, for example, we will still offer a home heating oil loan to a member struggling to heat their home, but equally we will offer that member a long term retrofit loan with repayments spread out so to be funded by the resultant heat cost savings.
We will still offer a competitive loan package to a member who needs transport to get to work but can’t afford an electric car, while at the same time we have a specific loan product that facilitates members who want to purchase hybrid & electric vehicles.
The UN SDGs provides the Credit Union with a framework to demonstrate how we are an inherently sustainable business and how we use this sustainable advantage as a strategic opportunity to serve our communities. We have set out where we are already making a difference under many SDGs. We have set ourselves challenges within the Credit Union and we invite you the members to tell us what more you think we can do.
