Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

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Contents Executive Summary

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Chapter 1 Objectives

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Chapter 2 Dash Board

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Chapter 3 Business commitments to environmental awareness and responsibility

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Chapter 4 Support for Community and NGOs

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Chapter 5 Engaging Youth

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Chapter 6 Environmental Research

Chapter 7 Corporate Responsibility Chapter 8 Conclusion

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[ Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy ]

Any comments on this strategy should be addressed to Dr Mary A. Stack LLB Environmental Awareness Officer Environmental Awareness & Research Unit Environment Department Inniscarra Waterworks Inniscarra phone: 353-21-4532722

Executive Summary In consultation with the Strategic Policy Committee, the Directorate shall initiate and coordinate a broadscale environmental awareness strategy. The underlining desire is to raise environmental awareness in the general public, and more specifically target the media, business, industry, educators, youth, communitybased groups, and NGOs. The strategy is driven by the Council’s priorities as identified in the Strategic and Corporate Plans, the Environment Directorates Operational Plan and the Waste Management and Litter Plans. The strategy will be supported by an annual Environmental Awareness & Research Programme (EAR-P). This programme will outline the specific objectives and actions 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 Unit whose responsibility will be to: i) Develop an environmental awareness programme that will:promote, celebrate and provide incentives and awards, for the citizens of Cork County who support and participate in environmental awareness and protection programmes in this Region. ii) Recognise the contributions of business, industry, educational institutions, 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 people of 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 be demonstrated via: i.

An improvement of the publics awareness of their environment.

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

iii The strengthening of green management of Cork County Council’s activities and services. Timescale for this Strategy 2006-2010

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Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

Chapter 2 -

Dash Board

A ‘dash board’ displaying the Environment Directorate’s core activities shall be posted on the Environmental Awareness Section web site and updated regularly. The dash board is an overview ‘ a snapshot ‘ containing information reflecting the directorate’s activities and operations as agreed in the Operational Plan and shall notify the public on current environmental issues. The dashboard will ensure easy public access to local environmental data concerning Cork County and will reflect the Directorate’s overall purpose of Protecting and Enhancing Our Environment for Present and Future Generations.

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Chapter 3 BUSINESS COMMITMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY The public awareness programme shall include opportunities to work with business and industry.The programme will recognise the contribution and important role of the private sector in securing and achieving environmentally sustainability while engaged 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 local community, thereby identifying and promoting work practices that protect and enhance the local environment. The programme shall guide and foster environmental commitments to achieve responsible business practices. The programme shall develop and recognise superior environmental performance through awards and recognition programmes. The programme shall recognise companies demonstrating their compliance with environmental legislation, their environmental efficiency and sustainability. The programme shall encourage local civic improvements made by business and the protection by them of the natural resources in their area.

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Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

Chapter 4 SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND NGOS Community based groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) preform a key role in raising environmental awareness at local level.

The public’s environmental priorities predominantly lie in protecting the place where they live and the sustainable management of their resources. All environmental policies and regulations are a direct result of the public’s right to live in a safe and clean environment. The Directorate shall encourage and assist NGOs to realise their potential as effective activists for raising environmental awareness.

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

The EAR-P shall establish partnerships with relevant agencies and community groups to deliver initiatives in their area and shall recognise the diversity of cultures and expectations of the Community. All citizens should have the opportunity to understand and participate in these programmes.

Cork County Federation Muintir na Tíre launch of REUSETON SCHOOLS COMPETITION 2006/2007

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Chapter 5 -

ENGAGING YOUTH

The public awareness programme welcomes, encourages, and celebrates the involvement of youth in the planning and implementing of environmental/ sustainability initiatives. Partnerships shall be developed with the schools and local youth communities groups 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 motivate behaviour change at the appropriate levels (primary, secondary, third level). Programmes shall be integrated with and support the school curriculum and be consistent with the Council’s environmental priorities.

Cork Co. Council is committed to supporting the Greens Schools Environmental Education and Awards Programme.The Council will work in partnership with Cork City Council to facilitate the organisation of Green Schools workshops for teachers and students. Council Staff in the Divisonal areas are invited to continue their support with the involvement of local litter wardens in the Green Schools programme and providing for school visits to Council operated civic amenity sites.

Cobh girl guides demonstrate the correct use of glass recycling bins 10

Environmental Awareness & Research Strategy

Chapter 6 -

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Environmental Awareness and Research Unit shall develop and disseminate innovative and effective research programmes that will provide assistance to the Directorate and its customers. The input received from the Strategic Policy Committee, Staff, Customers and relevant Stakeholders will preform a crucial role in every phase of the research process. The research will engage environmental studies that seek to protect and enhance the natural environment. The Environmental Awareness and Research Unit will work wisely and invest in research programmes that produce useful results and products, in order that the research effectively serves the needs of Cork Co. Council and its customers. The Environmental Awareness and Research Unit will produce a framework of research ideas enabling the Environment Directorate to focus and target resources on research priorities. The ultimate driver of this research will be to increase the public’s awareness of the Directorates functions and the protection of their environment. Research priorities will be identified, research conducted and research results applied and evaluated. The programme shall encouraging partnerships with associates in academia, state agencies, research institutions, the business sector, non-governmental organisations and other local authorities.The Council recognises that these sectors all perform vital but different roles in promoting environmental research initiatives.

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Chapter 7 -

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY The Corporate Plan sets out the Council’s response to the challenges and changes that face the Council and whose corporate purpose is to enhance the quality of life in County Cork for its inhabitants.

Like other organisations, the Council through its operations consumes natural resources. Therefore, the Council recognises the need to give priority to minimising the environmental impact through its many functions i.e. administration of public offices, operations of services such as wastewater treatment plants, water supply schemes, building and maintenance of roads, procurement of goods and services. The EAR-P programme shall promote staff awareness in environmental management and environmental protection. The Council shall keep other areas under review and give priority to minimising their impacts as and when the need arises. The Council shall communicate to our suppliers the expectation for strict regulatory compliance by the supplier and the prevention of adverse environmental impacts from the suppliers operations. The Council seeks to minimise waste generation, increase energy efficiency and conserve water from its own operations. A requirement to focus on the need for continuous environmental improvement in this area is adopted.

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Chapter 8 CONCLUSION Through the successful operation of EAR-P, the Directorate’s mission to foster and raise public environmental awareness, promote sustainable development and environmental protection for the benefit of future generations will be realised. Through the combined efforts of staff, partners and stakeholders the objectives of the Environmental Awareness Strategy will be accomplished.

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Published by the Environment Directorate Environmental Awareness & Reseach Unit Environment Department Inniscarra Waterworks Inniscarra Co. Cork Web: www.corkcoco.ie/environment