Veolia recognised as a “Business Working Responsibly” throughout Ireland

Veolia, Ireland’s resource management company, has been recognised as a leader in environmental and social responsibility, after receiving The Business Working Responsibly Mark at the annual CEO Breakfast Forum.

The Mark, developed by Business in the Community Ireland and audited by the NSAI is based on ISO 26000. It recognises the positive policies, practices, performance and impact a company has in areas such as: ethics, innovation and employee engagement, as well as best in class corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. Presented as part of the annual CEO Breakfast Forum, on October 25 at Dublin Castle, the event emphasised the importance of upholding a sustainable and responsible strategy, as well as the role businesses play in both local communities and environmental protection.

Commenting on the award, Niall Gleeson, Managing Director of Veolia Ireland, said: “Being accredited with BITC Ireland’s Business Working Responsibly Mark shows how our 500-strong team has made responsible thinking part of how we do business throughout Ireland. We are committed to saving resources, carbon reduction and building a sustainable future, while investing in the communities we work so closely with through apprenticeships, skills development and training.”
 

"Being accredited with BITC Ireland’s Business Working Responsibly Mark shows how our 500-strong team has made responsible thinking part of how we do business throughout Ireland"

Tina Roche, Chief Executive of Business in the Community Ireland, adds: “The Mark is challenging to achieve so a huge congratulations to Veolia on getting it. Forward-thinking companies like Veolia understand that customers, employees, investors and regulators place a high premium on trust and ethics. CSR is about excellence in business and translating it into management practices and the Mark is an invaluable tool for helping companies assess where they are at”.

Veolia's portfolio of services benefit the Irish population through waste and recycling management, water management and treatment, generating low carbon and renewable heat and electricity and providing new materials to industry. These activities cut emissions to help mitigate climate change and preserve precious resources for future generations.
 

Notably, Veolia is helping Ireland: attain its renewable energy targets; one million people nationwide benefit from clean drinking water; and through the government backed “Better Energy Communities” scheme Veolia has saved local schools and hospitals approximately €1 million in energy savings. It also commits €15,000 annually for local community funding and work with DEIS schools on the north side of Dublin to encourage youngsters, especially girls, into STEM careers.

With the aim of helping Ireland to transition to a low carbon economy, Veolia has already started a number of major water infrastructure projects, and has helped Whitfield Clinic in Waterford City to become the first hospital in Ireland to achieve the new ISO50001 energy management accreditation.

In 2015, Veolia saved over 80,000 tonnes of carbon emissions for customers in Ireland and is estimated to achieve a 230,000 tonnes annual reduction by 2020.

Throughout Ireland, Veolia will continue to work with customers, suppliers and communities to deliver environmentally sustainable solutions by managing their resource needs more efficiently and contributing to the circular economy.