UCC receive runner-up prize at European Environment Awards 2014
UCC received a runner-up prize in the environmental management category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2014
University College Cork received a Special Mention runner up prize at the European Business Awards for the Environment 2014 for their Green Campus Programme. UCC beat off strong competition in the environmental management category which had 38 EU wide entrants, with UCC being one of only four businesses short-listed to win.
University College Cork were the only Irish business short-listed in the European wide awards which had 152 entrants from 22 Member States. The awards ceremony took place in Lyon, France on Monday 1st December 2014 with European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella presenting the prizes on the night.
The UCC Green Campus Programme was chosen as a runner-up as it promotes good environmental practices by both staff and students and is modelled on the Green Schools Programme. It deals with every aspect of UCC’s environmental practices including litter and waste management, energy efficiency, procurement, water-use and transport issues. Key achievements of the programme since its launch in 2007 include:
- Increased the level of recycling from 21% up to 75%
- Saved of approximately €900,000 in waste disposal costs
- Saved ¾ million m3 of water by installing waterless urinals
The European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) are organised by the European Commission and run every two years (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/awards). The EBAE jury commented that "This is a project that inspires future generations to think about environmental issues and find solutions in all areas of the University, from the bookshop and restaurant to research and education. Its potential to be replicated is enormous with such a positive impact on society as a whole".
University College Cork were selected to take part in the European Business Awards when they were selected as runners-up in the Environmental Management category of the Ibec Environment Awards. Ibec Green Business Executive Anne Murphy said: “ Taking part in the awards is a great opportunity for the UCC Green Campus Programme to promote best practice and showcase Irish innovation on an international stage."
Wednesday, 21 January 2015