Irish Businesses Can Set The Standard in CSR
Chambers Ireland today launched the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards 2017 in Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse.
The CSR Awards offer the business community a chance to promote and highlight the best practice CSR activities taking place in companies of all sizes across Ireland. The awards showcase projects that help to improve the workplace for the benefit of employees, that engage with and help to improve the communities in which business operate and that are environmentally responsible.
Speaking at the launch, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland said: “The growth of the CSR Awards over the past 14 years represents the increasing importance that responsible company practices, community engagement and workplace environment holds in the strategies of Ireland’s businesses. Given the current direction of global political and economic discourse it is more important than ever for Ireland to showcase strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The business community has a vital role to play in the realisation of the global goals. Through focusing on sustainability and social responsibility, the Irish business community can differentiate itself from international competitors by setting a standard for responsible business and best practice CSR.”
Tina Roche, CEO of Business in the Community Ireland, said: “The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals requires a new partnership model between stakeholders such as business, academia, civil society and government. The goals call for business to apply its creativity and innovation to solving the world’s economic, social and environmental challenges. Companies in Ireland need to showcase the impacts they are already having in these areas so we encourage companies of all sizes and all sectors to enter the awards and communicate their positive impact.”
Speaking at the launch, Theo Cullinane, BAM Ireland Chief Executive, said: “Once again we are delighted to sponsor the Chambers Ireland CSR Awards. This is our sixth year to do so, and it is very encouraging to see so many businesses committing to responsible and sustainable practice. CSR is at the heart of how we at BAM do business and we have always looked to be the leader in sustainable construction and to have a positive impact on the communities where we work. I would encourage businesses – old and new entrants – to showcase the best of Ireland’s CSR accomplishments and get the recognition they deserve at these awards.”
Last year, ESB were winners of the 2016 Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award for the commitment to CSR practices that are embedded at the company’s core and for the organisation’s ongoing dedication to community engagement. The awards are kindly sponsored by BAM Ireland and run in association with the Department of Housing, Community and Local Government and in partnership with Business in the Community Ireland. The applications are now open online at www.csrawards.ie. The closing date for nominations is Thursday April 20th 2017.
2017 Award categories include: Excellence in Environment, Community (divided into Charity, Volunteering and Community Programme), Workplace, Marketplace, Supporting Youth Employment, CSR Communication, Best SME and the overall Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award.
Pictured: Tadhg Lucey, CSR Director BAM Ireland; Dil Wickremasinghe, Newstalk and MC, CSR Awards launch; Ian Talbot, Chief executive Chambers Ireland