8 minute read
Local Actions, Global Impact
Cork Chamber named SDG Champion, leading the charge for a more sustainable future
June 2024 marked a significant milestone for Cork Chamber as it was appointed a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champion by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) for the 2024-2025 term. This prestigious recognition aligns Cork Chamber with a select group of organisations dedicated to advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Ireland. As an SDG Champion, Cork Chamber is poised to amplify its commitment to sustainability, leveraging its influence within the business community and beyond to foster a deeper engagement with sustainable practices. This appointment underscores the Chamber’s pivotal role in shaping a resilient, sustainable future, not just for Cork but for the wider community it serves.
What are the United Nations’ SDGs?
The SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This landmark agreement, adopted by all 193 United Nations Member States, represents a comprehensive plan of action designed to address the most pressing challenges facing our world today. The SDGs serve as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
A vision for a better world
The SDGs are underpinned by a commitment to leave no one behind, recognising that eradicating poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—while also tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. The Goals are both ambitious and urgent, reflecting the global consensus on the need for transformative change in how we live, work, and interact with the environment.
The 169 targets: detailed pathways to achievement
Each of the 17 SDGs is accompanied by a set of specific targets, 169 in total, that provide detailed benchmarks and indicators to measure progress. These targets cover a wide range of issues, from improving maternal health to increasing renewable energy production, ensuring equal access to education, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The targets are designed to be interconnected, recognising that progress in one area often depends on improvements in others. For example, achieving gender equality (Goal 5) is crucial to ending poverty (Goal 1) and ensuring quality education for all (Goal 4).
While the SDGs are global in nature, their success relies heavily on local implementation. Countries are encouraged to align their national policies and strategies with the SDGs, taking into account their unique circumstances and priorities. Similarly, businesses, communities, and individuals are urged to contribute by adopting sustainable practices, innovating new solutions, and advocating for change. Ireland, for example, played a significant role in the creation of the SDGs, co-facilitating the negotiations alongside Kenya. This leadership has continued with Ireland’s commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda domestically, including through initiatives like the SDG National Stakeholder Forum, the National Implementation Plan for the SDGs, and the SDG Champions Programme which recognises organisations such as Cork Chamber for their efforts in promoting and achieving the Goals.
Why the SDGs matter
The SDGs are more than just a set of aspirational goals. They represent a roadmap for the future we want. By addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, the SDGs aim to create a world where everyone can thrive. They offer a framework for collective action, encouraging governments, businesses, and civil society to work together in partnership to solve the world’s most urgent challenges. For businesses like those within the Cork Chamber network, the SDGs provide both a moral imperative and a business opportunity. Companies that align their strategies with the SDGs can drive innovation, reduce risks, attract talent, and build stronger relationships with stakeholders. By contributing to the achievement of the SDGs, businesses can help create a more stable, prosperous, and equitable world for all.
Our ongoing initiatives and future commitments
The SDGs are central to Cork Chamber’s strategic vision, shaping every aspect of our work, from the Sustainable Cork Programme (SCP) to our lobbying efforts and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management. As a leader in sustainability, we are deeply committed to making a lasting impact through various initiatives that align with these global goals.
At Fitzgerald House
Cork Chamber has made significant strides in enhancing the sustainability and accessibility of our own operations. Recently, we completed a comprehensive retrofit of our office building to improve energy efficiency. This project included the installation of energy-efficient windows, the addition of solar panels to reduce our carbon footprint, and modifications to make the building more accessible to people of all abilities.
We also achieved EcoMerit certification, which recognises our ongoing commitment to environmental performance. Our dedication to biodiversity is further demonstrated through our participation in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, where we have taken steps to create pollinator-friendly spaces around our premises.
On the technological front, we installed an electric vehicle charging point to encourage sustainable transportation among our staff and visitors, and we have also implemented an internal policy encouraging the use of public transport whenever possible. These actions, though seemingly small, exemplify how even as an SME, we can lead by example and inspire others to adopt similar initiatives.
Shared Initiatives
In addition to our in-house initiatives, we have developed a number of projects focused on supporting our business community. The Sustainable Cork Programme (SCP) stands as a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability. Initiated in May 2020, during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SCP was conceived as a dynamic platform to foster resilience and sustainability within the Cork region. Over the past five years, the programme has successfully brought together diverse audiences, igniting critical conversations about the future of Cork. Through a series of events and discussions, the SCP has consistently focused on the three pillars of Sustainable Development and the SDGs, ensuring that these principles are woven into the fabric of our regional planning and development efforts.
Another significant initiative is the REEValue project, funded by the European Commission. This project focuses on the food, beverage, and transport industries, with the aim of guiding businesses toward greater energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy sources within the value chain. By fostering collaborations among businesses within these specific sectors, REEValue contributes to SDG 7 by mentoring companies on how to access grants and invest in clean energy, SDG 9 by providing industry-specific knowledge to aid in the decarbonisation journey, and SDG 13 by supporting comprehensive climate action initiatives.
In addition to these efforts, Cork Chamber has recently launched the Cork Offshore Renewable Industry Forum (CORIF). This platform brings together key industry representatives from the offshore renewable energy sector to identify the critical policy and infrastructure enablers needed for Cork to fully benefit from the development of offshore renewables. CORIF serves as a collective voice for industry leaders, ensuring that their needs and concerns are heard in discussions on the direction of infrastructure and policy development.
Moreover, our collaboration with Cork City Council and other stakeholders through initiatives like the Open Streets events showcases our commitment to promoting sustainable transportation and community engagement. These events transform Cork’s streets into vibrant, traffic-free spaces filled with performances and activities, highlighting the benefits of sustainable living.
Looking ahead
Cork Chamber is dedicated to continuing this momentum with several upcoming projects. During SDG Week 2024 in September 2024, we are hosting an in-person event under the Sustainable Cork Programme, focusing on the crucial themes of infrastructure and biodiversity, and their roles in sustaining Cork’s future.
We are also developing an ESG Strategy within the framework of the SDGs, as well as expanding our community and social initiatives through our recently launched partnership with SECAD and by leveraging technology to enhance accessibility for all abilities in the workplace.
As we move forward, Cork Chamber will continue its advocacy and lobbying efforts with the support and guidance of CORIF, our Sustainability Committee, and of course our members. We are also eager to collaborate with the other SDG Champions to advance this global agenda together, ensuring that our work contributes meaningfully to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Empowering businesses: embracing the SDGs for a sustainable future
Members are encouraged to explore how their own operations can align with the SDGs. Simple steps like engaging in social media campaigns, conducting research, attending an event during SDG Week and participating in national forums can set the stage for meaningful contributions to the 2030 Agenda.
By mapping out activities within the SDG framework, businesses can identify opportunities for innovation and growth that not only benefit their operations but also contribute to the broader goal of sustainable development. Cork Chamber’s appointment as an SDG Champion is a call to action for the entire business community to embrace sustainability, innovate, and collaborate for a better future. As the Chamber leads the charge, we invite others to join in this critical journey toward a more sustainable world.
To find out more about the United Nation’s SDGs go to https://irelandsdg.geohive.ie/
