Sustainability must not be allowed to slip from agenda during recovery, says Chambers Ireland at launch of the 2021 Sustainable Business Impact Awards

Chambers Ireland this morning (10 March 2021) launched the Sustainable Business Impact Awards, inviting companies to enter projects that make valuable contributions to sustainability and inclusion across the economy.

Speaking this morning, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot noted that it was critically important that sustainability was at the heart of the post-pandemic recovery.

“We’re delighted to host the 2021 Sustainable Business Impact Awards again this year. The past 12 months have posed enormous challenges to wider society but we firmly believe that sustainability must not be allowed to slip from the agenda as the economy recovers.

“As a body that represents businesses across Ireland, we know first-hand how difficult the pandemic has been for local economies and SMEs. Despite major challenges, the business community has maintained its commitment to sustainability initiatives. They have also gone above and beyond to support their employees to navigate the impact of COVID-19. This was of significant importance with the sudden transition to remote working and the closure of schools and childcare.

“This year in particular, the long-running Workplace category seeks to recognise excellence in policies and programmes which support staff in adjusting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include measures to facilitate a healthy work-life balance and manage caring responsibilities.

“Last of all, we are delighted to join with the Department of Rural and Community Development to announce a new category which seeks to recognise excellence in partnerships with social enterprises. Collaboration across communities and organisations has never been more evident than in the past 12 months. We feel this new category is the ideal opportunity to showcase some of the leaders in our communities and the businesses working together for social change.”

This year’s awards are again proudly sponsored by BAM Ireland. Also speaking this morning, Theo Cullinane, Chief Executive of BAM Ireland welcomed the launch.

“BAM’s ambition is to improve its impact on the environment and people by collaborating with its supply chain, encouraging innovative and digital thinking through its products, and realising the benefits of circular business models to ultimately have a Positive Net Impact by 2050.

“With the Awards championing the UN SDGs, we look forward to seeing the innovative initiatives that Irish businesses have implemented for a sustainable future and using these to create sustainable environments to enhance people’s lives.”

Applications to enter the awards are now open. Interested parties can enter by visiting this link. The closing date for entries is Wednesday, the April 28, 2021.

Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on September 16, 2021.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The Sustainable Business Impact Awards 2021 are free to enter. Interested parties can apply by visiting this link.

In 2019, Chambers Ireland aligned its organisational strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of that move, it rebranded its Corporate Social Responsibility Awards to the Sustainable Business Impact Awards to underline the urgency of businesses adopting a more active role in promoting sustainable practices.

Businesses are now invited to submit entries across nine categories including:

  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Community – Partnership with Charity
  • Community – Volunteering
  • Community – Community Programme
  • Environment (Sponsored by EPA)
  • Workplace (Sponsored by One4all)
  • Communication
  • SME
  • Social Enterprise (Sponsored by the Department of Rural and Community Development)

AIB was the winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainable Business Impact Award at the 2020 edition of the awards.

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