Organisations in NI called to benchmark themselves through respected environmental survey before 28 June deadline
Organisations in Northern Ireland can publicly demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action — and benchmark themselves against others — by taking part in the annual NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey, which closes on the 28 June.
(L>R) Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA joins Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director of responsible business network Business in the Community NI, and Declan Cunningham, Head of Sustainability and Risk Management, Moy Park, to call on NI businesses to get involved in the 2022 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey before 28 June
Now in its 24th year, the Survey is an annual initiative run by responsible business network Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI). A report outlining the findings from the Survey is published in November.
Organisations are asked to submit information on all-things-environmental via an online platform. Questions asked range from how they are minimising and re-using resources to how they are communicating sustainability issues in an engaging way to customers. They are then scored and ranked, allowing comparisons with other sector peers and leading Northern Ireland businesses.
The process is recognised as a positive environmental influencer as it helps organisations to measure and improve their environmental impacts and provides the opportunity to be recognised for demonstrating green leadership.
113 organisations took part in the 2021 Survey, with Belfast Harbour Commissioners taking the overall top performer spot and SUKI Teahouse Ltd. achieving the highest ranking amongst small business submissions.
Kieran Harding, Managing Director, BITCNI: “The Survey isn’t a competition, it’s a way to encourage organisations to identify and address areas for improvement and recognise those organisations that are demonstrating their commitment to environmental improvement. It acts a catalyst for continuous improvement and typically we see companies improving their scores over time.”
Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: “The Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey is well established as a helpful tool providing local businesses with proof of their green status. It plays a key role in helping local businesses to embrace the advantages of innovation in environmental management, encouraging them to be more sustainable and support the delivery of a low-carbon circular economy, to help tackle climate change.”
The Survey is sponsored by poultry producer Moy Park.
Declan Cunningham, Head of Sustainability and Risk Management, Moy Park said: “Moy Park is committed to sustainable practices which minimise our environmental impacts and make a positive contribution to the environment and the way people live. Corporate responsibility is a major focus for our organisation and we are extremely proud to have sponsored the Survey for the last six years.”
Participating in the NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey or the Small Business Survey is free of charge and open to NI organisations from all sectors. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 28 June 2022 and the results will be revealed on Thursday 17 November 2022.
Visit www.bitcni.org.uk/niebs for more information.