Without our planet thriving, we cannot thrive – Liz Bonnin meets Kildare’s business community

World renowned Natural History and Environmental broadcaster, Liz Bonnin addressed hundreds of businesses in the Riverbank Theatre in Newbridge and via national live stream on Thursday 7^th March.

The overall theme for the event was The Sustainability Imperative for Business Success and focused on how sustainability is becoming a bigger and bigger factor in business survival. The event was led by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office with the goal of demonstrating to local businesses that small changes in your business can make a big impact and most importantly how you can start.

Often the first question posed by businesses when looking at their resource efficiency or at ways of reducing their environmental footprint is still: “Is this economically viable?” And for many, this thinking is an immediate barrier to acting, even taking the first step on their sustainability journey.

Liz suggested that it is possible to design an economy that allows businesses and the environment to thrive. Doing so will mean rejecting much of what defined 20th-century economics that once prioritised growth over everything else.

Instead, Liz communicated the importance of business owners as leaders, and that 21st Century business leaders are asking:

“How many benefits can we generate in the way we manufacture a product? What else can it give back to the living systems of which we are a part, and that we rely on for our very survival? How can all business sectors work together to use resources again and again to create an ecosystem of resource use?”

Liz used her experience and travel as an environmental broadcaster to reinforce what she has learnt, “Without our Planet Thriving, we Cannot Thrive.”

Encouraging the business community in Kildare to work with the Local Enterprise Office on their sustainability journey, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development Jacqui McNabb said:

“Moving towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy is a journey which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Irish businesses. Organisations now need to develop a sustainability plan, covering everything from resource efficiency to supply chain, to adapt to this ambition to transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. The Local Enterprise can assist on this journey with fully funded sustainability consultancy support and access to the new Energy Efficiency Grant.”

Green for Business is a FREE programme that helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable, giving you access to a green consultant who’ll show you the small changes that can have a big impact on your company - and the world around you.

Ronan Murphy of Vision Green Consultancy also spoke at the event. He works with many small business owners on developing a ‘greener’ policy can offer many benefits to your business, including:

• Increased cost savings

• Improved resource efficiency (for example: using less energy, water, and materials)

• Reduced environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions

• Opportunities for higher and additional value on products and services

• Increased access to customers, improved corporate image and reputation.

• Increased resilience to climate change impacts

Businesses can apply to their local enterprise office for two days of mentoring with a specialist Green Consultant like Ronan – this will include recommendations on specific changes which your business can implement.

The Energy Efficiency Grant then supports the investment in technologies and equipment identified in a Green for Micro Report, GreenStart Report or a SEAI Energy Audit with 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum grant of €8,000. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the impact of enterprises on the environment thereby increasing the agility and resilience of these businesses.

The Energy Efficiency Grant then supports the investment in technologies and equipment identified in a Green for Micro Report, GreenStart Report or a SEAI Energy Audit with 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum grant of €8,000. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the impact of enterprises on the environment thereby increasing the agility and resilience of these businesses.

The EEN – Enterprise Europe Network – also provides access to specialised business advisors with expertise in sustainability.  They can help you identify the best ways to benefit from a more sustainable business model.

Based on a thorough assessment of the needs and challenges of your company they provide tailored advice and tap into EEN’s vast potential to find innovation partners, new green technologies, and market opportunities for sustainable solutions.

The Enterprise Europe Network services in Ireland are delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices.

Every Irish business is on a journey – and the journey to a sustainable future is the most important one of all. Making your business more sustainable is the right thing to do for your business, your customers, and your planet. It’s key to winning business from large international customers and attracting top talent. It starts with making a plan. 

Mitigating the impact of climate change and addressing environmental issues requires a whole-of-society approach.The enterprise sector must reduce its emissions by 35% by 2030 – while Ireland as a whole must reduce emissions by 51%. 

Liz also shared some very practical tips that business owners and citizens alike could implement straight away that have significant impact:

• Stop using takeaway cups!
• Buy energy only from suppliers who generate their supply from 100% renewable resources.
• Move your savings, pension or investments into funds that are not investing in fossil fuel or petrochemical industries.
• Invest in reusable bags and leave packaging at the supermarket till.

After the event, Kathleen Scully, Vacuum and Pressure Services Limited based in Clane said:

“Liz’s was very thought provoking and inspirational. once again the “ball” is in our court and though we have started our sustainability journey, and we want to continue to make a difference.  None of this would be possible without the help and support of Local Enterprise Office Kildare. Looking forward to continuing our journey of “Learning, Inspiration and Inclusion” in the coming months.”,

To take the first or next step on your business’ sustainability journey contact the Local Enterprise Office via 045 980838 / localenterprise@kildarecoco.ie