Environmental Sustainability at Cork Chamber
EcoMerit is a Sustainable Energy Community registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. EcoMerit certified organisations are committed to improve environmental performance. Cork Chamber are proud to be a member of the EcoMerit Community. Our partnership with EcoMerit helps guide us on our sustainability journey and gives us independent verification of our achievements to date. A comprehensive review of our environmental performance and practices is conducted annually.
- Carbon Footprint DOWN 44.9%
- Energy Usage DOWN 38.1%
Every year we review progress on our plan and set ourselves new improvement actions. Real, measurable environmental action has never been more important, and we are determined to play our part in full. The above figures show our progress at the most recent review with EcoMerit, October 2024.
Notable Achievements
Our performance improvement over the years is the result of many actions, often small and simple in themselves, and all requiring the support of our team. Some of our most impactful actions include:
Appointed as SDG Champions by the Government of Ireland for our deep commitment to sustainability an promoting the UN SDGs.
Installed 20 solar panels on our roof. This provides our site with zero-carbon electricity at source, while also reducing our electricity bill.
Completed a full retrofit of our Victorian office building, including new insulation, draft excluders, replacement windows, upgraded bathrooms and monitored thermal setpoints on our heating system.
Improved biodiversity by planting of native pollinator-friendly plants, installing an insect hotel, becoming Official Business Supporters of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and taking part in various local committees and training for our team.
We have handed out 200 saplings annually since 2021 to our Cork Chamber members. Our goal is to gift a minimum of 200 native trees per annum.
Installed of e-charger in Cork Chamber car park.
Access to TFI bikes for the full team.
Our Journey Continues
While we are proud of our achievements to date, we know there will always be more to do. It is our responsibility to play our full part in averting the worst effects of the climate and biodiversity crises. We are working to:
- Reduce our thermal demand by fine tuning our boiler use on site.
- Collaborate with local Cork groups to improve our biodiversity journey, as well as funding some carbon offsets for the areas that we can’t reduce.
Our longer-term ambitions include:
- Implementing ESG frameworks to ensure our purchasing procedures are in keeping with our wider environmental strategy
Cork Chamber are proud to be a Business Supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. We are committed to promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability in our community.
On February 13th, 2025, Cork Chamber proudly signed a Local Green Deal with Cork City Council and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle, reinforcing our strong commitment to impactful climate action and our key role in Cork City’s journey toward becoming an EU Climate Neutral & Smart City. This formal partnership underscores our dedication to sustainability as we drive forward innovative projects and internal initiatives that enhance our operational resilience.
REEValue is a European funded project. Our aim is to advise businesses to become more energy efficient and invest in renewable energy sources. Our free online REEValue platform is designed to help European businesses, particularly SMEs in food & beverage manufacturing, transport & logistics to cut costs and carbon emissions.
The REEValue project is co-funded by the European Union’s Environment and Climate Action (LIFE 2014–2020) programme.
Cork Offshore Renewable Industry Forum (CORIF)
An All-Island Opportunity led by Cork
Ireland has immense potential to support a thriving offshore renewable energy industry and Cork has the capacity to become the first of the national hubs for the sector.
Cork is uniquely positioned to become a leading hub for offshore renewable energy (ORE) due to its existing infrastructure, strategic location, and the presence of major energy stakeholders. Growing offshore renewables capacity in Ireland will secure future social and economic benefits for the country as a whole. To achieve this, investment in critical infrastructure now to support the development of the sector into the future must be prioritised by Government.
Naoimh manages the day to day operations within Cork Chamber. She is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to promote continuous improvement. Naoimh is champion of our extensive employee wellbeing programme,oversees the chambers internal sustainability agenda, is health & safety officer and is Cork Chambers Data Leader.
Juliet is the Operations Executive, bringing over 10 years of diverse experience in visual and graphic arts, international relations, and operations. She has worked with NGOs, embassies, and marketing companies across the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. Holding an MA in International Relations from UCC, Juliet works closely with the Chamber team, providing executive-level support to operations.
Lisa is the primary telephone and reception contact within Cork Chamber along with providing general office administration support to the team. Lisa provides a high-level customer service to members, non-members and stakeholders of Cork Chamber.
Alicia leads the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the Value Chain REEValue project, funded by the European Commission. Her role encompasses project management, business engagement, and oversight of the online REEValue platform. Additionally, she serves as a central, cross-functional lead for all Chamber sustainability activities, collaborating closely with the senior management team and the Sustainability Committee.
Alicia holds a PhD in Environmental Science and brings substantial expertise in engaging with national and international high-level environmental policymakers, along with a proven track record in impactful media communications.