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Project title

Pilot programme for establishing a regional eco-business recognition mark

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Clean Technology Centre (CTC)

Lead Applicant

Noel Duffy

Project Abstract

This pilot for establishing a regional eco-business recognition mark funded under the ERTDI Programme 2000 i- 2006 set out to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of applying a combination of training networking and use of a locality-related performance recognition mark to enhance the environmental and economic performance of Small to Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are thought to have a substantial collective impact on the environment. As a sector they have been identified as problematic in terms of environmental issues and tend to lag behind their larger counterparts in terms of environmental activeness and performance and therefore require assistance to improve this area of their business operations . Promotion of certified environmental management systems is often undertaken as a route to improving environmental performance but this has generally been unsuccessful with SMEs . Therefore this project examined the possibility of adapting a successful and well-established Austrian environmental recognition mark model and applying it in an Irish context. The long-term expectation of such a transferable award programme is the improvement of the local sustainability environmental awareness and economic performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The main basis of this research project was to pilot a self-help programme for business in a defined area and to establish whether this model has potential for use across the SME sector. The use of a locally recognised award as a driver for fostering community spirit environmental networking and improved business efficiencies was also an important aspect of the research.The area involved in this research Macroom town and hinterland was chosen due to its nature being that of a typical provincial Irish town. The format of the model applied was based on the well established EcoBusinessPlan programme that has been functioning well in Vienna since 1998. This programme is a business support model developed by the local authority to enhance environmental and economic performance through the medium of limited consultancy and workshop based training. Importantly its continued success is driven by an awards scheme which sustains interest from participating businesses.

Grant Approved

�131,969.00

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Soils and Land-Use

Start Date

01/10/2006

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a