Kildare based multinational Intel and County Kildare Chamber are inviting businesses of all sizes to take part in the second instalment of an innovative campaign to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
The “Sustainable Kildare” challenge will see staff at companies in the county compete in a 3-week challenge, using the Ducky app, that allows them to track their personal emissions.
In October last year, the first-ever climate action championship was launched by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Martin Heydon, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture. The first phase of the campaign concluded on 9 November, and saw 206 staff members in 22 businesses participate, collectively saving an estimated 19,290 kgCO₂.
“We are delighted to facilitate the second phase of this important initiative,” said Hans Zomer, CEO of Global Action Plan, the organisation providing expert support to the year-long ‘Sustainable Kildare’ programme.
“During the first phase in November, the employees of 22 companies in County Kildare logged 12,780 climate smart activities, preventing the emission of over 19 tonnes of CO₂. If everyone in Ireland had followed their outstanding example, it would have resulted in a 36% reduction in our national greenhouse gas emissions,” he continued.
Global Action Plan, County Kildare Chamber and Intel are now inviting businesses in the County to take part in round two of the challenge, which kicks off on 15 February.
The deadline for registrations is 8 February, and County Kildare Chamber is hosting a special briefing for interested businesses, large and small, on 26 January.
A final challenge will take place in May this year.
“The Sustainable Kildare challenge highlights the simple and effective steps we all can take in everyday life to contribute to a greener future. We know that we need to reduce our collective carbon footprint, and we know that the vast majority of people in Ireland want to do their bit. And we also know that many people don’t know what actions to prioritise. The tools we use in the competition show the impact of a wide range of climate actions, and the power of small actions,” said Global Action Plan CEO, Hans Zomer.
Data from the first phase of the ‘Sustainable Kildare’ programme showed that small actions add up. If everyone in Ireland had taken up the challenge and achieved the same results, nearly 780,000 tonnes of CO₂ would have been saved – equivalent to over 11 million trees planted and grown for 10 years.
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