Elaine O’Neill talks to Mia O’Connor about how our Student Mentoring programme gave her the confidence to get into Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. Listen to the lessons she’s learnt from her mentor Ciara O’Donoghue through Cornmarket’s partnership with Mount Carmel Secondary School in Dublin. Find out how to get involved with the Student Mentoring programme , part of our many
The year end Annual Members’ Network Meeting took place on the 9th of December. Our 100 members gathered to discuss the impacts we have achieved as a network and also our plans for next year. We shared the impacts of your work across the network during 2020, reflected on sustainability priorities for 2021, and looked
Virgin Media and Young Social Innovators have joined forces to find young Digital Innovators in a new award category of the Young Social Innovators of the Year Ireland Awards which will take place in 2021. The move forms part of Virgin Media’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programmes where Virgin Media already partners with Young Social Innovators
The Mark is operated by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), the non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainability and third-party audited by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Six companies achieved the Mark for the first time with another six achieving recertification. Wednesday, 9th December: Over 200 business leaders attended Business in the Community
The 4th and final Low Carbon Knowledge Session of 2020. We discussed the New Low Carbon Pledge Commitment and what this means for your organisation. We also heard from our own team of Environmental experts on BITCI’s Low Carbon Perspective. Additionally, deep dived into another area which impacts a lot of your organisations and can
Across Intel’s 145 sites worldwide there is a network of Corporate Services employees who are responsible for everything from site selection, security, and cafeteria services to managing the Intel Air Shuttle and everyday operations. This Corporate Services (CS) group, which has thousands of employees, delivers world class factory and office infrastructure at Intel’s multiple sites
In this webinar, we outlined the acute need for more companies in Ireland to take up the apprenticeship model. Member companies outlined the business benefits of this additional recruitment path and we heard about exciting new retail and pharma apprenticeships, as well as traditional apprenticeships. Speakers include: Pat O’Doherty, Chair of the Apprenticeship Council and
By 2030, Diageo’s ‘SOCIETY 2030: SPIRIT OF PROGRESS’ plan will enable the company to: Reach 1 billion people with messages of moderation through its brands Achieve Net Zero carbon emissions across direct operations Increase representation of leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds to 45% Use 30% less water in every drink it makes Diageo, maker of
Dublin Bus is calling on voluntary and local community groups to apply for their annual Community Spirit Awards. 2020 has been a difficult year for many. Voluntary organisations and their members work selflessly and tirelessly to raise community spirit and improve the lives of those in their locality. Now, more than ever, it is important
Impact Day is Deloitte’s flagship volunteering day in September each year, supporting many charities around the country. Due to COVID 19, and a change in strategy, the Deloitte team had to quickly reimagine the approach for 2020. As Claire Bergin – Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager at Deloitte – put it: “This year we wanted to
‘Climate change is our generations greatest challenge to life as we know it and, in a way, our very existence.’ We have all heard a version of this statement being said over and over again, from environmental scientists and activists, politicians, to the Pope himself. Scientifically though it is proven that we are in the
Businesses, property developers and city authorities must act now to enable office workers to revitalise relationships with the workplace post-pandemic, says a new report. The report, produced by Ireland’s leading property company, IPUT, and multinational consultancy firm, Arup, analyses the role of the office and how it can continue to support new ways of working.
Virgin Media Ireland has reached a long-term agreement with Naturgy Ireland that will introduce a 100% renewal energy supply across its operations in Ireland. This renewable energy agreement will power Virgin Media’s main offices, contact centre, TV studios, data centres and regional transmission sites across Ireland and will support our ongoing commitments in reducing our
Dawn Meats has again been recognised for their ongoing commitment to sustainability with a double success in the inaugural Green Food & Beverage Producer Awards. The new awards are part of the annual Green Awards and look to celebrate sustainable food practices undertaken by producers and processors in Ireland. Supporting their ambition to be recognised
It is estimated that 60% of the global carbon emission reduction target could be met by transitioning from a linear economy (take/make/use/dispose) to a circular one. Transitioning to a more circular economy isn’t easy though. It requires significant change in product design, business models and consumer attitudes. In September, the Irish Government updated its National
Arup has committed to achieving net zero emissions across its entire operations by 2030, covering everything from the energy used in offices to goods and services purchased. To achieve this, the firm has set a target to reduce its scope 1, 2 and 3 global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 per cent within the next five years from a 2018 baseline. The target, validated
Intel Ireland has announced the latest instalment in the ‘Solar for Schools’ program – a unique and innovative solar technology project that enables schools and community organisations in North Kildare to generate their own energy supply directly from the Sun. The expansion of the Solar for Schools program this year has seen three schools in the
Aldi is the first retailer in Ireland to test blockchain technology successfully to validate its corporate buying policy for organic and sustainably produced Irish seafood. Aldi and Verifish are participating in a pilot project with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency. This project is funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Developed
Data access, complex value chains, guidance and leadership buy-in cited as challenges Customer relationships, reputation and stakeholder engagement still seen as primary benefits Tuesday 13th October: New research on the readiness of businesses in Ireland to fully reduce their carbon emissions shows that including Scope 3 emissions in a company’s footprint assessment is proving a
Our In Conversation Series is back this October with Riona Gilroy, Business Development Manager at College Proteins. College Group is Ireland’s largest rendering company, they lead the way in innovative rendering practices with a team of over a hundred dynamic and highly skilled professionals. Please describe your role and responsibilities and how many years you have
We are excited to announce that we will soon be launching a new version of the Business Working Responsibly mark standard. This new version of the Mark will see significant process improvements for companies certifying and recertifying during the coming year. What is the Business Working Responsibly mark? The Business Working Responsibly mark is the top standard for CSR and
HEINEKEN Ireland has released its sustainability progress report. The report details significant reductions in the brewer’s carbon emissions, water usage and waste production in the decade since it began reporting under HEINEKEN’s Global Sustainability Strategy, Brewing a Better World. During that time, the Cork city-based brewer has cut its carbon emissions by more than half
Eir and Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) have worked together since 1985, making this the longest sustained corporate charity partnership in Ireland. Employee engagement is the major reason that the relationship is as strong now as it was 35 years ago. Seven years ago eir employees created a fundraising event for their charity partner, the purpose
The Leaders’ Group on Sustainability’s Worker of the Future subgroup recently hosted a webinar addressing people perspectives on the transition to the “Next Normal”. The group shared perspective on the areas of Culture, Skills, Inclusion and Wellbeing and provided examples of emerging best practice from a variety of sectors. You can watch it in full
New publication by the Leaders Group on Sustainability Worker of the Future sub-group As we emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown, business decisions are being made about new ways of working that could have lasting impact and, perhaps, unintended consequences. While many conversations are taking place, along with advice on the re-opening of the Irish economy,
Seven-time All-Ireland winner and social activist Philly McMahon joined Vhi recently for the launch of a new Fund established in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) dedicated to supporting young people’s health and wellbeing. The Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund is looking to fund projects that are seeking to strengthen resilience in young people
Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD has welcomed a new partnership between SSE Airtricity and An Post which will see 30,000 homes avail of energy efficient retrofits in the coming years. The Generation Green Home Energy Upgrade forms a key part of An Post’s Green Hub which provides a simple
Calor Ireland is proud to announce that Samaritans Ireland will be the company’s first charity partner. The Samaritans was chosen by Calor staff, following an extensive process which considered a number of leading charities. Through the new partnership with Calor, Samaritans can answer over 4,000 additional calls for help. The support could save people’s lives
Four of Ireland’s leading retailers – Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and EUROSPAR – have come together to support a new food initiative by FoodCloud called ‘Food For Ireland’, to help meet the unprecedented demand on FoodCloud’s services from charities and communities across Ireland affected by Covid-19. FoodCloud has experienced a doubling in demand for its food