As the importance of sustainability continues to grow, Irish companies and organisations across a broad range of sectors came together at the Green Awards 2022 to share their knowledge, insights and experience as they celebrated their collective achievements.
Twenty-four prestigious awards handed out at the ceremony, held on April 21st, 2022.
The attendees were honoured by the attendance, via videolink of former president Mary Robinson, chair of the Elders. Also in attendance was Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport at the Clayton Hotel to join in the celebration. The Minister’s speech was warmly received as he emphasised the critical need for Ireland to commit to sustainability in all areas of business and organisational endeavour.
With an impressive 101 finalists, this year’s winners were announced during a hybrid event with a live audience in attendance at The Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin and others attending an interactive virtual ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Colm O’Regan.
Now in their 14th year, the Awards were supported by green leaders from across the spectrum.
Darren Rennie, managing director of CBRE Ireland, said: “We were delighted once again to be a sponsor for the Green Awards for 2022. With ESG at the forefront of our agenda we’re proud that CBRE is part of an event that recognises businesses for leadership and innovation in developing sustainable solutions and practices. Congratulations to all the winners!”
Another of this year’s sponsors was Bord na Móna. Commented COO/CFO JP McGrath: “Bord na Móna is focused on developing and delivering key climate solutions in Ireland, so it was very fitting for us to be lead sponsor of the Green Awards 2022. The positive story of our work, the scale at which are delivering and the new solutions we will be bringing to bear will all help Ireland achieve its climate goals.
“As a country we all have a lot more work to do, but these Awards provided a superb platform for the great progress made by other companies to secure a sustainable future on this planet. We were delighted to be part of an event that highlighted leadership and sustainability, and to hear about sustainable solutions and practices undertaken by companies in Ireland.”
One of the trophies handed out on the day went to Irish Water and Kerry County Council. VESI Environmental Ltd’s project assistant, Paivi Harrington said: “The recently established wastewater treatment system at Lixnaw, Co Kerry demonstrates how nature-based solutions are applied. This integrated constructed wetland [ICW] delivers sustainable wastewater treatment with low-cost operation and maintenance. This project exemplifies an effective solution for future wastewater projects with social and nature benefits.”
Another winning company was MSD Ireland. Mairead McCaul, managing director of MSD Ireland Human Health, head of MSD Ireland Country Leadership Team, said; “We’re delighted to accept this award recognising the passion and commitment of our team across the country, who every day make sure sustainability is a core guiding principle at all levels of our business. Looking towards the future as an industry, we have to continue to set firm, ambitious, and always-evolving targets to improve our environmental footprint.
“Using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world, we remain committed to playing our part to support green business practices, leading by example from MSD Ireland to the world.”
LinkedIn joined as a sponsor with Katie Ferrick, senior director, Workplace Programmes saying: “LinkedIn is delighted to support the Green Awards which recognise innovation across all aspects of sustainability. Climate change is the greatest challenge facing the planet, and many Irish companies are playing a crucial role in delivering a more sustainable future.
“LinkedIn is committed to playing its part by identifying where skills gaps are emerging and what new roles are in demand - helping inform policymakers, businesses and people thinking about their future careers, where new opportunities are emerging as the Green economy grows.”
Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director of Partnership Programmes at BusinessRiver, said: ‘Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2022 sponsors, which included Bord na Móna, LinkedIn, Veolia, Diageo Ireland, CBRE, Davy Horizons, Irish Water, Diligent, Calor, HALT – Natural Fire Retardant Treatment, the Environmental Protection Agency, ESB’s Smart Energy Services and Clearstream Solutions. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.
The Environmental Research Institute joined as this year’s Adjudicating Partner. The Awards were also supported by Amarach Research.
The 2022 judging panel
Dr Paul Bolger (judging co-ordinator), manager, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
Tanya Fitzgerald (judging co-ordinator), enterprise liaison Officer, Sustainable Futures, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
Anna Ozolina (judging co-ordinator), project manager sustainable futures, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
Brian Abbott, environmental manager, Bristol Myers Squibb Cruiserath Biologics
Renée Andersson, honorary doctor of ethics, Environment, Economy, Lund University, Sweden
Mark Bennett, director of Portal, the Trinity College Dublin Innovation Hub
Jan Peter Bergkvist, senior sustainability adviser, Sleepwell AB, Sweden
Nick Bond, coordinator, Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority Southern Region
Dr Ken Boyle, chair, MSc Sustainable Development, TU Dublin
Declan Breen, waste prevention officer, Eastern Midlands Regional Waste Management Office
Aidan Byrne, sustainability & utilities manager, Aviva Stadium
John Cunniffe, estate services manager, The Bar of Ireland
Joe Harford, managing director, Joe Harford & Associates
Nick Holden, professor of biosystems engineering, University College Dublin
Enda Kiernan, past president, Chartered Institution of Waste Management
Dr Padraig Lyons, head of group, International Energy Research Centre
Andrew O’Brien, environmental & sustainability manager, Liffey Meats
Barbara-Anne Richardson, sustainability & public affairs manager, HEINEKEN Ireland
Lorraine Rushe, environmental, health & safety manager, buildings & estates, NUI Galway
Padraig Ryan, director, Grant Thornton Ireland
The full list of the 2022 winners
Green Business of the Year - Sponsored by Bord na Móna
Winner: Hotel Doolin
Green Leader 2022 – Sponsored by Bord na Móna
Recipient: Mary Robinson
Green Large Organisation of the Year – Sponsored by CBRE
Winner: An Post
Green Medium Sized Organisation of the Year
Winner: Hotel Doolin
Green Small Organisation of the Year
Winner: The FACTORY
Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year – Sponsored by Environmental Protection Agency
Winner: Gas Networks Ireland
Sustainability Team of the Year – Sponsored by Veolia
Winner: Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland
The Green Healthcare Award
Winner: RCSI
The Green Pharmaceutical Award
Winner: MSD Ireland
The Green Food & Beverage Award – Sponsored by Calor
Winner: Carbery Group
The Green Manufacturer Award – Sponsored by ESB’s Smart Energy Services
Winner: Dairygold Co-Operative Society
The Green Construction Award – Sponsored by HALT – Natural Fire Retardant Treatment
Winner: John Sisk & Son
The Sustainable Water Achievement Award – Sponsored by Irish Water
Winner: ABP Food Group
The Sustainable Energy Achievement Award – Sponsored by Diligent
Winner: RCSI
The Green Retailer Award
Winner: Aldi Ireland
The Green Tourism & Entertainment Award
Winner: Hotel Doolin
The Green Financial Services Award
Winner: An Post
The Green Professional Services Award
Winner: Arthur Cox
The Excellence in Waste Management Award – Sponsored by Bord na Móna
Winner: Tesco
The Green Technology Award – Sponsored by Davy Horizons
Winner: Irish Water & Kerry County Council
The Green Energy Provider Award -Sponsored by Clearstream
Winner: SSE Airtricity
Green NGO of the Year - Sponsored by Linkedin
Winner: Irish Doctors for the Environment
The Green Transport Award – Sponsored by Linkedin
Winner: McCulla Ireland
Green Micro Enterprise of the Year
Winner: Palm Free Irish Soap
