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Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

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Executive Summary ........................................................................5

Chapter 1 Objectives ....................................................................................................................6

Chapter 2 Dash Board ..............................................................................................................7

Chapter3Business commitments toenvironmental awareness andresponsibility ........................................................................................................8

Chapter 4 Support for Community and NGOs ..................................................................................................................9

Chapter 5 Engaging Youth ............................................................................................10

Chapter 6 Environmental Research ................................................11

Chapter 7 Corporate Responsibility............................................12

Chapter 8 Conclusion............................................................................................................13

Contents

[ Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy ]

Any comments on this strategy should be addressed to

Dr Mary A. Stack LLBEnvironmental Awareness Officer

Environmental Awareness & Research Unit Environment Department

Inniscarra WaterworksInniscarra

phone: 353-21-4532722

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Executive SummaryIn consultation with the Strategic Policy Committee, the Directorate shall initiateand coordinate a broadscale environmental awareness strategy.

The underlining desire is to raise environmental awareness in the general public, andmore specifically target the media, business, industry, educators, youth, community-based groups, and NGOs.

The strategy is driven by the Council’s priorities as identified in the Strategic andCorporate Plans, the Environment Directorates Operational Plan and the WasteManagement and Litter Plans.

The strategy will be supported by an annual Environmental Awareness & ResearchProgramme (EAR-P). This programme will outline the specific objectives andactions to be undertaken in each of the four years covered by this strategy.

The priority sectors covered by this strategy are;

1. Business

2. NGO’s

3.Youth

4. Research

5. Corporate Responsibility

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Chapter 1 - Objectives

The Directorate shall establish an Environmental Awareness and Research Unitwhose responsibility will be to:

i) Develop an environmental awareness programme that will:- promote, celebrate and provide incentives and awards, for the citizens of CorkCounty who support and participate in environmental awareness and protection programmes in this Region.

ii) Recognise the contributions of business, industry, educationalinstitutions, media, community-based groups and others.

iii) Develop and raise public awareness of environmental conditions and issues within the County.

iv) Establish a culture supportive of environmental sustainability among the peopleof County Cork, through the undertaking of initiatives at the community-level that target and foster the adoption of environmental best practice.

Successful implementation of the programme will bedemonstrated via:

i. An improvement of the publics awareness of their environment.

ii The achievement of a higher level of environmental protection in Cork County.

iii The strengthening of green management of Cork County Council’s activities andservices.

Timescale for this Strategy2006-2010

Chapter 2 - Dash Board

A ‘dash board’ displaying the Environment Directorate’s core activities shall beposted on the Environmental Awareness Section web site and updated regularly.

The dash board is an overview ‘ a snapshot ‘ containing information reflecting thedirectorate’s activities and operations as agreed in the Operational Plan and shallnotify the public on current environmental issues.

The dashboard will ensure easy public access to local environmental dataconcerning Cork County and will reflect the Directorate’s overall purpose ofProtecting and Enhancing Our Environment for Present and Future Generations.

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Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

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Chapter 3 - BUSINESS COMMITMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTALRESPONSIBILITY

The public awareness programme shall include opportunities to work with businessand industry.The programme will recognise the contribution and important role ofthe private sector in securing and achieving environmentally sustainability whileengaged in business practice.

The programme will recognise existing green initiatives within the business sector& will continue to support and encourage such measures.

The programme shall encourage partnership between business and the localcommunity, thereby identifying and promoting work practices that protect andenhance the local environment.

The programme shall guide and foster environmental commitments to achieveresponsible business practices.

The programme shall develop and recognise superior environmental performancethrough awards and recognition programmes.

The programme shall recognise companies demonstrating their compliance withenvironmental legislation, their environmental efficiency and sustainability.

The programme shall encourage local civic improvements made by business and theprotection by them of the natural resources in their area.

Chapter 4 -SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND NGOS

Community based groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) preform akey role in raising environmental awareness at local level.

The public’s environmental priorities predominantly lie in protecting the placewhere they live and the sustainable management of their resources.

All environmental policies and regulations are a direct result of the public’s right tolive in a safe and clean environment.

The Directorate shall encourage and assist NGOs to realise their potential aseffective activists for raising environmental awareness.

The Directorate recognises that the public are champions of environmentalknowledge and hold positive attitudes in fostering of environmental protection intheir County.

The EAR-P shall establish partnerships with relevant agencies and communitygroups to deliver initiatives in their area and shall recognise the diversity of culturesand expectations of the Community.

All citizens should have the opportunity to understand and participate in theseprogrammes.

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Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

Cork County Federation Muintir na Tíre launch of

REUSETON SCHOOLSCOMPETITION 2006/2007

Chapter 5 - ENGAGING YOUTH

The public awareness programme welcomes, encourages, and celebrates theinvolvement of youth in the planning and implementing of environmental/sustainability initiatives.

Partnerships shall be developed with the schools and local youth communitiesgroups encouraging :-• Youth participation and opportunities to learn more about their local

environment and participate in local events supporting environmental improvements.

• Responsible good citizen status through the promotion of environmental best practice in the development of local programmes.

Youth participation programmes will raise environmental awareness and motivatebehaviour change at the appropriate levels (primary, secondary, third level).Programmes shall be integrated with and support the school curriculum and beconsistent with the Council’s environmental priorities.

Cork Co. Council is committed to supporting the Greens Schools EnvironmentalEducation and Awards Programme.The Council will work in partnership with CorkCity Council to facilitate the organisation of Green Schools workshops for teachersand students. Council Staff in the Divisonal areas are invited to continue theirsupport with the involvement of local litter wardens in the Green Schoolsprogramme and providing for school visits to Council operated civic amenity sites.

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Cobh girl guides demonstrate the correct use of glass recycling bins

Chapter 6 - ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Environmental Awareness and Research Unit shall develop and disseminateinnovative and effective research programmes that will provide assistance to theDirectorate and its customers. The input received from the Strategic PolicyCommittee, Staff, Customers and relevant Stakeholders will preform a crucial rolein every phase of the research process.

The research will engage environmental studies that seek to protect and enhancethe natural environment.

The Environmental Awareness and Research Unit will work wisely and invest inresearch programmes that produce useful results and products, in order that theresearch effectively serves the needs of Cork Co. Council and its customers.

The Environmental Awareness and Research Unit will produce a framework ofresearch ideas enabling the Environment Directorate to focus and target resourceson research priorities. The ultimate driver of this research will be to increase thepublic’s awareness of the Directorates functions and the protection of theirenvironment.

Research priorities will be identified, research conducted and research resultsapplied and evaluated. The programme shall encouraging partnerships withassociates in academia, state agencies, research institutions, the business sector,non-governmental organisations and other local authorities.The Council recognisesthat these sectors all perform vital but different roles in promoting environmentalresearch initiatives.

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Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

Chapter 7 - CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

The Corporate Plan sets out the Council’sresponse to the challenges and changes thatface the Council and whose corporatepurpose is to enhance the quality of life inCounty Cork for its inhabitants.

Like other organisations, the Councilthrough its operations consumes naturalresources. Therefore, the Councilrecognises the need to give priority tominimising the environmental impactthrough its many functions i.e. administrationof public offices, operations of services such

as wastewater treatment plants, water supply schemes, building and maintenance ofroads, procurement of goods and services.

The EAR-P programme shall promote staff awareness in environmentalmanagement and environmental protection.

The Council shall keep other areas under review and give priority to minimisingtheir impacts as and when the need arises.

The Council shall communicate to our suppliers the expectation for strictregulatory compliance by the supplier and the prevention of adverse environmentalimpacts from the suppliers operations.

The Council seeks to minimise waste generation, increase energy efficiency andconserve water from its own operations.

A requirement to focus on the need for continuous environmental improvement inthis area is adopted.

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Chapter 8 -CONCLUSION

Through the successful operationof EAR-P, the Directorate’smission to foster and raise publicenvironmental awareness,promote sustainable developmentand environmental protection forthe benefit of future generationswill be realised.

Through the combined efforts ofstaff, partners and stakeholdersthe objectives of theEnvironmental AwarenessStrategy will be accomplished.

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Published by the Environment Directorate Environmental Awareness & Reseach Unit Environment Department Inniscarra WaterworksInniscarraCo. CorkWeb: www.corkcoco.ie/environment