Wicklow County Council wins prestigious Green Award

Country’s greenest companies recognised at Ireland’s First Green Awards

Wicklow County Council has won the first annual Green County Council Award in recognition of its efforts to provide an array of sustainable services and actively encourage businesses and consumers to become greener in outlook and practice. The awards which recognise organisations and individuals for their outstanding achievements in tackling climate change and addressing environmental issues took place at a stylish ceremony in the Burlington Hotel on Thursday.

Commenting on the win the judges said,

“Ultimately it was the depth and breadth of Wicklow County Council’s submission that won it for them. The green results they have delivered are very impressive for example two thirds of all waste is now segregated for recycling, a raft of innovative energy saving measures have cut fuel bills for local people and massive water savings have been generated from a leak reduction programme. The council also conducted a fantastic awareness initiative involving virtually every school in the county.”

Abbott Ireland scooped the Overall Green Business Award for its significant achievement in reducing its own energy use by a quarter, having implemented an advanced waste management and waste prevention programme, as well as its work with local groups on recycling and energy awareness initiatives. The company runs awareness programmes on energy consumption and conservation in local schools and is also involved in a recycling initiative with Cregg House, a service provider for people with low to moderate intellectual ability.

The Green Leader Award was presented to Frank McDonald, Environment Editor at the Irish Times in recognition of his significant contribution to improving the environment in Ireland. Mr McDonald is a well known champion of the green agenda, he has campaigned against the destruction of Georgian Dublin and has been one of the nation’s most influential environmental commentators for nearly three decades.

The remaining 16 winners of the Green Awards include some of the country’s most prominent retailers, financial institutions and manufacturers as well as not-for-profit community groups, schools and green business start-ups in the energy and new technology sectors (see full list of winners below).

In a video message played at the ceremony the Minister for the Environment John Gormley, who was in Brussels, congratulated the winners,

“As you know politicians have a huge role and responsibility in relation to the environment, but individuals can make a difference too. What you’re doing tonight is important because without environmental activists and those in the business community we couldn’t have the sort of momentum in the relation to the green movement that we currently have. I think what’s most important is that this evening you’re acknowledging people in the business community who recognise that green technology and the environment are the way of the future. What we need now is hope in relation to the economy and I believe that hope is there when we’re talking about the environment and the opportunities that are there in relation to green technology.”

Gerry McCaughey, a member of the judging panel and founder of Century Homes says,

“I think that this is a very timely and important event which highlights the companies and products at the leading edge of environmental responsibility. It is important for Ireland to ensure that it develops and fosters innovation in the environmental sector. The major growth area in the world economies is going to come from the "cleantech" sector. These awards both highlight and encourage Irish businesses to realise the potential that exists for green companies.”

Michael Sanfey, Head of Sales and Marketing with Greenstar commented,

“The high standard of entries far exceeded my expectations. There are many valuable and practical lessons to learn from the efforts of these leading companies and individuals. These companies make an important contribution to Ireland’s environment by operating more sustainably with outstanding waste and energy management and developing technology that will encourage others to change their way of living. In some cases, they have surpassed their environmental responsibility by reaching out into the community in which they work to make a positive environmental difference. Their efforts are vital for Ireland’s green economy and its contribution towards global sustainability.”

Maeve Dineen, Business Editor of the Irish Independent said,

“It has been a real honour for the Irish Independent to be so closely associated with the inaugural Green Awards. Some of Ireland's biggest employers are among the winners and they sit alongside smaller innovative businesses and community groups for whom environmental concerns are key. It’s clear that Irish business leaders have taken the challenge of climate change seriously.”

Judging each submission was a panel of experts including Gerry McCaughey, founder of Century Homes and one of the leading environmental campaigners in the Irish building industry; Duncan Stewart, Ireland’s leading environmental architect and a presenter on RTE, and Louise Dunne, the representative of the Dublin branch of the Urban Forum on Sustainable Development who has a PhD in Environmental Policy.

For further information contact:

Murray Consultants Tel: 01 4980300
Aoibheann O’Sullivan Tel: 087 6291453
Margaret Kelly Tel: 087 7717367

Note to Editors:

The Green Awards were presented at a stylish awards ceremony at the Burlington Hotel on 4th December 2008.

The winners of the first annual Green Awards are:

Abbott Ireland, The Overall Green Business Awards, Sponsored by Greenstar
Frank McDonald, The Green Leader Award, sponsored by DELL Ireland
Abbott Ireland, The Green Large Manufacturer, sponsored by Nilfisk
Airtricity, The Green Energy Award, sponsored by Amárach
Tesco Ireland, The Green Transport Initiative Award sponsored by Vodafone Ireland
The Climate Change Consortium, The Green Communications Award, sponsored by The Irish Independent
Superquinn, The Green Retailer Award sponsored by ECOCEM
Wavebob Ltd, The Green Innovation Award sponsored by HSBC Ireland
DW EcoCo Ltd, The Green Organisation Award sponsored by Greenbusiness.ie
Ballymun Regeneration Ltd, The Green Community Award sponsored by Musgrave Group
Glenisk Limited, The Green Product Award sponsored by GreenPages.ie
Solearth Ecological Architecture, The Green Building Award, sponsored by Smarthomes
O’Mahony Pike Architects and Urban Designers, The Green Residential Building Award sponsored by ECOCEM
Wicklow County Council, The Green County Council Award
KPMG, The Green Professional Services Award
Irish Life and Permanen, The Green Financial Institution Award
Westport Woods Hotel and Spa, The Green Entertainment and Leisure Award