History
At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the world community – through Agenda 21 – acknowledged the central importance of consumption issues and the need to engage large numbers of people from all sectors of society in demand-led change.
Individual citizens changing the way we live are a major and necessary force for shifting the industrialised countries onto an environmentally sustainable path. But efforts in the North to encourage people to change their consumption patterns have traditionally offered only information and modest financial incentives. These are necessary, but not sufficient. To make sustainable and sustained behaviour change, people need structured support.
Global Action Plan (GAP) was founded in 1989 for the specific purpose of taking up this challenge. Work immediately began in the Netherlands and the United States to create a programme to involve everyday people in creating solutions to environmental problems.
The Basis
The foundation of GAP’s work is the household EcoTeam (Green Living) programme, a community based campaign enabling large numbers of ordinary people to make a significant contribution to the solution of environmental problems by consciously modifying their way of life.
The first version of the household EcoTeam programme was presented at the Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The programme was developed in several countries in parallel and the first versions were modestly successful. However it quickly became apparent that if the original, ambitious goals were to be met, the programme would need further development. Another period of intensive development and testing took place, primarily in the USA, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden.
By 1995 preliminary results showed that the programme was succeeding. The results were confirmed by research conducted by the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
Helping in Ireland Since 1995
This inspiring idea spread and Global Action Plan was brought to Ireland in 1995. GAP spent many years delivering the EcoTeam programme throughout Ireland with around 90 households, supported by many volunteers, who received practical information on how to use energy efficiently, reduce waste, cut water use and shop ethically.
Growing for the Future and Regeneration 2000+
In 2000, having met with some of GAP’s people on an international level, Ciaran Murray, Managing Director of Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) immersed with GAP’s ethos, invited GAP to deliver some programmes to the community of Ballymun as part of Europe’s largest regeneration project. Today GAP are still actively involved in the delivery of programmes in Ballymun as well as South Dublin County, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Fingal County and Cork City and County.
Award-Winning
GAP in Ireland has won numerous awards for its outstanding contribution to sustainable living. in 2009 GAP were presented with the best sustainable award from Dublin City Council. Other awards GAP have won are:
- The award for Environmental Awareness – 1996
- National Award, from the Henry Ford European Conservation Awards – 1997
- 3rd place for Shangan Recycling Centre, in the category of Best Environment Initiatives and “Best Example of Waste Management” in the Dublin City Neighbourhoods Awards – 2007
- 3rd place for the Shangan Recycling Centre, the category “Best Example of Waste Management”. Dublin City Council North West Area City Neighbourhoods Competition – 2008
- Achieved 2nd place, in the category “Community Environment Initiative”, in the Dublin City Council North West Area City Neighbourhoods Competition – 2008
- Achieved 1st and 2nd place, in the Dublin City Council North West Area City Neighbourhoods Competition – 2009
- Was a runner up in the Business Competition in the Dublin City Neighbourhoods Awards – 2009
- CVI/ESB award for Shangan recycling centre – 2002
- Living Dublin Certificate for Shangan recycling centre – 2002
- CVI/ESB Award for Schools Programme – 2003
- CVI/Vodafone Award for Virgin Mary Girls National School Garden – 2003
- Vodafone Ireland Award for Future Leaders Programme – 2004
- SEI Award for Education Programme – 2004
An Approach that’s Proven to Work
Our supportive, structured approach tailors projects to the priorities and cultures of individual communities.
Our programmes have social and environmental benefits, are proven to work, and are UNESCO endorsed.
Reducing Environmental Impacts
Our programmes reduce environmental impacts in a number of ways:
- Practical change and activities which make a real difference.
- Working across different areas of sustainability including Waste, Water, Energy, Transport, Green Shopping, Biodiversity and Healthy Living.
- All programmes are measured and reported on to show the quantifiable impact we’re making.
- Achieving shifts in behaviour to ensure that effects are permanent and long-lasting.
- Bringing fresh thinking to your activities, so you can build on what’s in place or start something new.
