BEST PRACTICE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY & SUSTAINABILITY - AUGUST 2020 - BizPlus
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AUGUST 2020 SURVEY
BEST PRACTICE IN CORPORATE
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
& SUSTAINABILITY
B P S U RVE Y CS R & SUS TA INA BI LI T Y
Good For Business
Corporate Social Responsibility has taken on a new imperative as Ireland moves on a path
to reduce national carbon emissions, writes Emily Styles
S
ustainability has always been a O’Rourke, chairman of Rethink
key plank of good corporate CSR BEST PRACTICE Ireland: “There is obviously a huge
behaviour and now its need for support amongst Ireland’s
importance has been elevated, Gas Networks Ireland p60 social innovation sector. As the
not just for the good of society but IPB Insurance p 61 country begins to open up again I am
also because consumers are RSA Insurance Ireland p62 asking companies and individuals
demanding it. In addition to Tesco p63 who are able to do so to consider
Environment and Sustainability, the KBC Bank p66 donating to the fund.”
policy document ‘Ireland’s National Nestlé p67 In the latest review of the National
Plan on CSR’ lists three other core CSR Plan, minister Heather
Core p69
CSR dimensions: Humphreys commented that
An Post p7 1
• Community – interaction with customers, investors and job seekers
Bord na Móna p73
local community partners and are more conscious than ever of the
organisations. KPMG p75 ethical record of companies. “It is
• Workplace – supporting and important that businesses large or
engaging with employees. small realise that placing CSR at the
• Marketplace – interaction with currently raising funds to assist core of their business is a strategy
local community partners and charities, social enterprises and that is good for their business.
organisations. community organisations with cash “It is the collective response of
Business in the Community grants and business supports. Every businesses that will have an
Ireland, the group that encourages euro raised is matched with immensely powerful impact in our
corporate CSR activity, defines CSR government funding. economy and our society,” the
as companies taking responsibility for The recent first call for the minister stated.
their impact on society. It is a concept organisation’s Innovate Together CSR has been practiced by
whereby enterprises integrate social Fund received 480 applications for companies throughout Ireland for
and environmental concerns into the 50 grants available. The second many years. The breadth of CSR
their mainstream business operations call in August has been boosted with activity is widespread, and examples
on a voluntary basis. Philanthropy €500,000 support from Zurich of best practice are detailed in
matters too. Rethink Ireland is Insurance. According to Terence this report.
Thanks to Ergo, every cloud has a silver lining for Make-A-Wish Ireland. The IT services provider has pledged to the
charity 2% of its monthly subscription income from Microsoft Azure customers. Pictured are Ergo’s Jimmy Sheahan
with Susan O’Dwyer, chief executive at Make-A-Wish
FoodCloud distributes surplus food to hundreds of charitable organisations. Since 2014, long-term partner Tesco
has redistributed over 11 million meals. Nestlé Ireland recently announced that it is helping FoodCloud out too,
with a €110,000 investment that leverages employee involvement. Pictured with FoodCloud CEO Iseult Ward
is Andrew Shaw, Country Manager at Nestlé Ireland
Since the event began in 2015, Shine a respiratory illnesses or cancer, victims
COMPANIES
Light has raised over €5.3m for people of domestic abuse and people suffering
GIVING BACK TO
experiencing homelessness in Ireland. from mental health issues. The bank
THE COMMUNITY
In 2019, the support of Bord Gáis says that through 2020 it intends to
BORD GÁIS ENERGY Energy as sponsors enabled Focus donate €230,000 to charities and
Bord Gáis Energy has been supporting Ireland to help over 14,200 people. causes nationwide.
Focus Ireland since 2015, and 2020
marks the second year of the Shine a HSBC DAA
Light Night sponsorship. The sleepout HSBC Ireland recently donated Whether running marathons, baking
used to be centred on business types €30,000 to the Covid-19 Response cakes or wearing awful Christmas
but this year everyone is being Fund organised by the Community jumpers to work, staff in Dublin
encouraged to sleep out on October 16 Foundation of Ireland. The CFI’s fund Airport Authority are willing to put in
and ‘Shine a Light’ on homelessness. will assist senior citizens, people with the effort to support their partner
charities. In 2019, employees,
MICHAEL O'SULLIVAN / OSM PHOTOGRAPHY supported by the company and airport
passengers, raised €330,000 for three
charitable causes.
BANK OF IRELAND
There are an estimated 355,000 family
carers in Ireland, and some of them
work for Bank of Ireland. The bank
has partnered with Family Carers
Ireland (FCI) to provide a bespoke
programme for employees with caring
responsibilities. FCI’s Caring
Employers programme provides
guidance and assistance on how
businesses can appropriately support
their employees who have a family
caring role.
One of Cork charity Cope Foundation’s initiatives is a coffee-shop venture VIRGIN MEDIA
that employs people with disabilities. UCC has welcomed Roots Cafe Virgin Media Ireland’s CSR strategy is
onto the campus. Pictured are Rowena Mattock, Cope Foundation focused on Digital Wellness. In 2019
support worker, and Troy O’Sullivan Survey continued on page 58
B U S I N E S S P L US AU G U S T 20 2 0 57
B P S U RVE Y CS R & SUS TA INA BI LI T Y
MARC O’SULLIVAN
Aura Holohan Group, which operates 15 gyms and leisure centres, has agreed a three-year plan with the
Irish Wheelchair Association to improve accessibility to employment and facilities in all sport and leisure centres
for the IWA’s 20,000 members. Pictured with Gar Holohan are IWA’s Sarah Joyce and John Fulham
the company provided €116,000 in supporting more than 800 children HAYS
cash donations, €13,300 was and families nationwide. Staff at Hays Ireland were inspired to
contributed through in-kind donations fundraise for Cardiac Risk in the Young
and €42,000 was raised through FACEBOOK (CRY) after their colleague James
employee fundraising. Employees The social media giant knows all there is Lundy died suddenly in 2018. Despite
volunteered c.2,000 hours to local to know about successful online lockdown, employees and friends
groups and projects during the year. promotion, and it has been sharing its walked or ran 45 million steps during a
wealth of expertise with charities. The 30-day period in April-May 2020,
VODAFONE company’s Friday for Good programme raising €21,000 for the charity.
TecSOS is a service led by Vodafone includes free training and some ad
Ireland Foundation that offers women credits for Irish charities to maximise RYANAIR
suffering from domestic violence one- their reach and fundraising potential. The The low-fares airline has been a first-class
touch access to the emergency services. Irish Cancer Society says it has raised supporter of ISPCC Childline over the
In partnership with Women’s Aid, €1.3m through Facebook since 2018. past four years, raising c.€450,000 for the
specially adapted devices enable
victims to contact the Gardaí using a
speed dial facility. The company says,
that since 2013, c.300 women have
used the service, and Vodafone
employees involved in the project say
that working on the project has given
them increased purpose and drive in
their roles.
MICROSOFT
Barnardos was struggling to provide
support to vulnerable children and
families during the Covid-19 pandemic,
so Microsoft stepped up to the plate to
provide digital support for the charity. Irish Life staff push the boat out with their charity fundraising efforts,
The company donated 84 refurbished raising €365,000 for Pieta House and Stewarts School in 2019.
Surface laptops and other devices to The company matches the funds raised by its employees, and since
help the organisation work remotely, 2005 has raised c.€3m for Irish and international charities.
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B P S URV EY CSR & S USTA I NAB ILI TY
KEITH ARKINS
Rethink Ireland, formerly the Social Innovation Fund, which is part-funded by business donations,
is supporting the Access to Apprenticeship programme run by TU Dublin. Pictured with university
students are CEO Deirdre Mortell, and Bobby Maher, who manages the programme
charity. Fundraisers have included ‘name SODEXO initiative. The Run for Fun
a plane’ competitions, festive giveaways Sodexo Ireland has honed in on programme, in partnership with the
and summer-holiday contests. Ireland’s homelessness crisis as the Irish Youth Foundation, is a dedicated
social problem it wants to help fitness and nutrition programme
AIB alleviate. The company is donating aimed at young people in under-served
AIB has pledged a €1m grant to €150,000 to Focus Ireland over three communities.
Technological University Dublin (TU years, funded by Sodexo’s Stop Hunger This year VHI awarded five youth
Dublin) to help increase the number of global initiative and employee groups €5,000 each to organise a Run
students from areas and backgrounds fundraising activities. Sodexo also for Fun and employees join in at the
of socio-economic disadvantage. The supports Focus Ireland’s coffee shop end of each eight-week programme.
five-year commitment will see the bank and recently opened family centre.
establish a civic engagement outreach AVIVA
centre on TUD’s Grangegorman VHI Pride of place in Aviva’s CSR efforts is
campus, as well as facilitating maths VHI has found a good way to translate the LGBT community, which the
learning support centres in Tallaght its focus on health into a CSR insurer has been supporting for a
and Blanchardstown. number of years. Aviva recently
ALAN ROWLETTE
donated €50,000 to Belong To Youth
Services, the national organisation for
LGBT young people, to support its
online work and group support. The
company has also supported Pride for
the last three years and lights up the
Aviva Stadium in the Pride colours.
MAXOL
Fuel retailer Maxol has been raising
funds for Aware since 2016, with
€420,000 raised for the charity,
including €100,000 last year. Maxol’s
MSD Ireland donated €88,000 to Teen-Turn, which highlights career coffee cup promotion at Christmas sees
opportunities in science and technology to teenage girls from under- a 10c donation from the company to
represented backgrounds. Pictured (l-r) are students Olivia Gorman, Onosa Ní Aware for every forecourt purchase of a
Bheolain, Tomiwa Keyede, Ia Khachirashvili and Essie Wuddah hot drink.
B U S I N E S S PL U S AU G U S T 2 0 20 59
Gas Networks Ireland
Gas Networks Ireland continuing to support
education and social inclusion during the
Covid-19 pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Gas Networks Ireland was
quick to demonstrate the kind of societal support and
leadership that led to its recent Chambers Ireland
InBusiness award for corporate responsibility, providing
much-needed assistance to vulnerable communities through
its partnerships with DEIS schools and Age Action.
Corporate Responsibility Manager Christina van der Kamp accepts
a Chambers Ireland award for Gas Networks Ireland’s Corporate
SUPPORTING EDUCATION Responsibility programme.
Education is a core part of Gas Networks Ireland’s social
sustainability strategy. The company has a long history of During the pandemic, Gas Networks Ireland employees were
supporting a wide range of educational initiatives and determined to find ways to support learning in the home.
maintains strong links with a number of schools local to its “We partnered with Junior Achievement Ireland to make
offices in Cork and Dublin. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Energize resources available free to download for learning at
Gas Networks Ireland provided much-needed technology and home,” said Ms van der Kamp. “We also worked with
food supplies to their partner schools. Midlands Science to produce two environment-related,
science at home videos, available via YouTube.”
“We donated eight new laptops to schools in Cork and Dublin
to help students access essential technology and continue to BACKING AGE ACTION
learn online while at home,” said Gas Networks Ireland Gas Networks Ireland has partnered with Age Action since
Corporate Responsibility Manager, Christina van der Kamp. 2016, donating over €150,000 worth of carbon monoxide
“We also made a €20,000 donation to food banks in a alarms, which were installed in the homes of elderly people.
number of our partner schools, which was then distributed to Gas Networks Ireland was one of the first to support Age
students who rely on food served during school hours.” Action’s Covid-19 response and hardship fund, providing
vital financial support for vulnerable people.
STEM INITIATIVES
With engineering at its core, Gas Networks Ireland is “Our employees also volunteered on Age Action’s technology
committed to supporting Science, Technology, Engineering tutoring programme, supporting cocooners to keep in touch
and Maths (STEM) initiatives with the long-term goal of with friends and family by showing them how to make video
encouraging primary school students to pursue STEM calls through their smartphones,” said Ms van der Kamp.
subjects in secondary school and ultimately STEM careers in “Simple things like that helped the vulnerable in our
the future. Gas Networks Ireland also sponsors the STEM community to feel less isolated, and we were very proud of
programme Energize, delivered in partnership with Junior our team offering their skills.
Achievement Ireland in primary schools nationwide. The
programme was delivered to over 5,000 sixth class students “The pandemic has highlighted the divide that was already in
in 19 counties last year. existence in some of our communities. It’s so important for
businesses to step up to help bridge social inclusion gaps at
the best of times, but especially now.”
Gas Networks Ireland will publish its second Sustainability
Report in August, focused on its 2019 efforts across the
three pillars of sustainability – Social, Environmental and
Economic. See www.gasnetworks.ie/sustainability.
Ms van der Kamp added that the company was committed to
responsible and sustainable business practices. “We have held
the Business Working Responsibly Mark since 2013 and are
one of only 34 companies in Ireland to hold it. Sustainable
business practices are at the heart of our vision and strategy.”
One of many food parcels provided by Gas Networks Ireland to
students from Beneavin College in Finglas
60 BUS INES S PL US A UG US T 2020
IPB Insurance
IPB Insurance is a proud supporter of the Bounce Back Recycling was set up to create jobs for
members of the Traveller community. Over the last three
Social Enterprise Development Fund, which is
years, the social enterprise has diverted 25,000 mattresses
helping to address Ireland’s most critical from landfill, by recycling and re-purposing soft materials
social issues from the mattresses into marketable products. Bounce Back
Recycling is also contributing to a more inclusive economy,
The Social Enterprise Development (SED) Fund was set up by creating sustainable jobs for those who would otherwise
to help scale Ireland’s most innovative social enterprises. have found it difficult to find work.
Now in its third year, the transformative impact of the fund
is becoming clear. To date, the SED Fund has supported 33 SOCIAL ENTERPRISES GET PEOPLE INTO WORK
social enterprises, who in turn have provided services to Since 2018, the SED Fund awardees have created 164 jobs
35,000 people and created 164 jobs. within their organisations, many of which are specifically
created for people who would otherwise be unemployed.
The SED Fund is delivered by Rethink Ireland in Gaining employment not only brings financial independence
partnership with Local Authorities Ireland, and is but also many other benefits that can be taken for granted,
proudly supported by IPB Insurance and the such as friendships and development opportunities. Deaf
Department of Rural and Community Development Enterprises in Cork, Ireland’s only dedicated employer of
via the Dormant Accounts Fund. the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, trains and
employs deaf or hard-of-hearing people in the trade sector.
A social enterprise is a business whose objective is to The enterprise employs a team of 28 people.
achieve a social, societal or environmental impact, rather
than maximising profit for its owners or shareholders. Like
any business, they pursue their objectives through the
provision of goods or services and they reinvest their
surpluses into achieving social objectives.
The SED Fund has supported social enterprises from all
over Ireland to tell their stories, scale their impact and plan
for the future. Delivering this fund has given the team at
Rethink Ireland some important insights into the sector.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE
IN ADDRESSING SOCIETAL PROBLEMS
Social enterprises offer sustainable and scalable solutions to
a diverse range of social and environmental problems. The Some of the Green Kitchen and Garden Shop staff team: Audrey
SED Fund has supported organisations that are working on Maher. Siobhan Behan, Brian Kellard and Anna Brennan
issues including the underemployment of people with a
disability, the lack of accessible and affordable mental SOCIAL ENTERPRISES ARE ADAPTABLE
health supports, and the need to reduce waste in our society. The social enterprise sector has experienced unprecedented
Social enterprises are particularly effective at creating jobs turbulence due to Covid-19. However, many of the SED
for people who have difficulty accessing the mainstream Fund awardees are demonstrating incredible resilience and
labour market. innovation. For example, Green Kitchen Café in
Walkinstown has adapted its services to meet the needs of
local people who are self-isolating or cocooning. The cafe,
which creates employment for people with disabilities, has
started delivering meals, for free, to the most vulnerable
people in Dublin 12, and is now delivering almost 400 meals
a week.
The SED Fund 2020 awardees will be announced
in September. Full information on the SED Fund
can be found at https://rethinkireland.ie/
Awardees of SED Arts to Impact Fund and Sports to Impact Fund
attending ‘Kildare to Dream’, a two-day Accelerator retreat
at Kilashee House
B U S I N E S S PL U S AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 61
RSA Insurance Ireland
In RSA making things better for our
environment and the communities in
which we operate are core values. It’s
what makes us a responsible business
and employer.
Our teams across Ireland are involved in corporate
responsibility activities, including partnering with charities
to fundraise and volunteer, supporting them in the great
work they do. Every employee is given two ‘Give Back’
volunteer days each year. One of those days is given to our
charity partner, Simon Communities Ireland, and the other
day can be used to support their charity of choice, knowing
that we all have charities that are close to our hearts.
Pictured at the RSA/123.ie International Women’s Day, Dress for
Success event were (l-r) Tommy Drumm, Managing Director, Collen
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES Construction; Amanda Johnson, Interim Director, People Success
Simon Communities Simon Communities Ireland is our and Partner Services, RSA Insurance Ireland; journalist and
main charity partner, and we are proud to support them in broadcaster Alison O’Connor; and Kevin Thompson,
their work to provide services to people who are homeless CEO, RSA Insurance Ireland
and at risk of homelessness. As part of our work with Simon,
we have participated in their Soup Run initiative, which
operates 365 nights of the year and offers soup, sandwiches PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
and tea to people who are homeless across Dublin. We are committed to playing our part to help protect our
environment. We all have a responsibility to safeguard our
This first-hand experience allows us to really understand planet for ourselves, our loved ones, our communities and
how difficult life is for so many people, and the difference we future generations. Supporting initiatives that help create
can all make by taking time out of our own lives to give awareness and have a positive impact on our environment
something back to those less fortunate. Last year, we signed is critical.
up for ‘Hell and Back’ to help raise funds for The Simon
Communities, and this year we are continuing to fundraise We have worked hard to eliminate single use plastic in all of
to further support the charity. our offices. The materials we use from pens to notebooks, to
branded water bottles and beyond is environmentally
Age Action We are also incredibly proud to support Age friendly and biodegradable. This year, to celebrate Earth
Action and its Hardship Fund that assists its clients Day and to make a small positive contribution to the
transition from hospital back home during COVID-19. This environment, all of our employees received a garden box
is one the most difficult periods our society has faced in to help create a little more biodiversity in their homes
generations and it is especially challenging for older people. and gardens.
We have a team of volunteers across our business working
to help older people stay connected using technology Our commitment to corporate responsibility and always
whilst cocooning. doing the right things extends to everything we do – from
our workplace culture, to our ambitions to help the
Dress for Success As part of our International Women’s environment and our communities to our products and
day celebrations this year, we supported Dress for Success, services. Actions have consequences and at RSA Insurance
the organisation that supports women in three practical Ireland we firmly believe in positive and proactive action.
ways: What we do as individuals, as teams or collectively as a
l By connecting with employment opportunities through business has impact, and we will always work hard to ensure
support and guidance. it’s a positive impact.
l By preparing for the selection process with CV
preparation, interview coaching and support in styling.
l By propelling women into future economic independence
with tailored workshops and training.
All of these services support women on their journey to
economic independence by securing a career. RSA and
123.ie employees ran a very successful clothes drive over a
number of weeks, and all donations were given to Dress for
Success. We look forward to continue working with this
fantastic organisation.
62 BUS INES S PL US A UG US T 2020
TESCO
As a leading food retailer, Tesco is one of the
largest private-sector employers in Ireland,
employing over 13,000 colleagues. At Tesco,
we believe that Every Little Helps makes a
big difference.
Our Little Helps Plan is a core part of the Tesco business
and focuses on four key areas: People, Product, Places and
Planet. These four pillars encompass the most important
social and environmental issues, and essentially guide us
in making the right decisions for our colleagues and
customers, as well as in supporting the communities we
serve.
Our PEOPLE are our most important asset and at Tesco
everyone is welcome. We’re proud to empower our
colleagues to be themselves at work. This year, we continue
to sponsor Dublin Pride and Cork Pride festivals, and
we are continuing to champion diversity and inclusion in
our workplace. We’re very proud to have retained the Great
Place to Work accreditation, based on feedback from our
colleagues, for the third consecutive year.
OUR PRODUCTS Kari Daniels, CEO of Tesco Ireland, and Denise Fitzgerald, CEO of
At Tesco, we have no time for waste and believe that no Temple Street, pictured with Temple Street patients Ethan (3),
good food should go to waste. Since 2014, we have Jacob (6) and their sister Alannah Byrne (8)
redistributed over 11 million meals through our Tesco
Surplus Food Donations programme in partnership with OUR PLACES
FoodCloud, donating to over 350 charitable organisations, Thanks to the generosity of our colleagues and customers,
including after-school clubs, youth groups, senior citizen we celebrated raising €5 million in five years in partnership
support services and many more. with Temple Street. Funds raised have helped the hospital
to buy over 270 pieces of vital medical equipment for
As the only retailer to publish independently assured food patients, including ultrasound scanners and respiratory
waste data in Ireland, we have also partnered with 12 of our equipment.
large Irish fresh suppliers to tackle the issue of food waste at
their manufacturing sites and to adopt the UN’s SDG goal With the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve
12.3. These Irish food suppliers, including Country Crest, worked hard to adapt our operations to ensure the safety of
Keelings and Manor Farm, have committed to publicly colleagues and customers is paramount, in line with public
target, measure and act, and publish details of their food health advice. To help those most in need, we offer exclusive
waste later this year. access to stores nationwide for over 65s, family carers and
those who are extremely medically vulnerable, up to 9am,
OUR PLANET Monday to Friday. Also, we continue to support our
Our target is to ensure we never use more packaging than is healthcare workers and emergency services personnel by
needed and what we do use is from sustainable sources and providing them with priority access at all other times.
goes on to be reused or recycled. We continue to work towards
our ambitions to remove non-recyclable packaging from the We have continued to proudly support our communities,
business, aiming for all our packaging to be fully recyclable donating €150,000 split between three national charities:
and all our paper and board to be 100% sustainable by 2025. Alone, Family Carers Ireland and Age Action. Through the
Tesco Community Fund, we’ve supported over 450 local
We have made progress by removing plastic-wrapped tinned causes, with donations of over €240,000 assisting
multi-packs in stores and removing 1.5 million pieces of communities most affected by the pandemic.
non-recyclable plastic each year. With changes made to our
store waste processes, we have reduced our carbon
emissions by 1,200 tonnes annually. In partnership with
Green Generation, Tesco is the first Irish retailer to
purchase renewable gas created at the anaerobic digestion
plant in Nurney, Co. Kildare from our surplus food,
powering six of our stores.
B U S I N E S S PL U S AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 63
B P S U R VE Y CS R & SU S TA INA BI L IT Y
Companies That Reach Into
Their Local Communities
CSR often involves funding commitments to worthy local causes, something that these
companies are fully embracing, writes Emily Styles
F
or many firms, their CSR students looking to pursue Set up by Belvedere School over
commitment centres on engineering courses at third level. 100 years ago, BYC is now run
assisting organisations in their For SMBC Aviation Capital, it independently.
community. Sometimes this was Belvedere Youth Club that came Tina Roche, chief executive of The
commitment is related to fostering up on its radar as a local cause worth Community Foundation for Ireland,
goodwill related to a property supporting. The aircraft leasing described SMBC Aviation Capital as
development, but other times the company is based in the IFSC and “a role model to other companies who
assistance just comes from the heart. supports BYC’s services to are looking to give back to their local
Real-estate developer Hines disadvantaged children and teens in communities in a strategic and
partners with Inner City Enterprise the north-east inner city. impactful way”.
(ICE), a charity that helps Last year the company announced a Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC
unemployed people in Dublin’s inner €710,000 donation to BYC over a Aviation Capital, commented: “This
city create their own business or three-year period. The funds will will be our largest single investment
social enterprise. Earlier this year, facilitate refurbishment works and in support of local communities,
Hines announced a €60,000 the creation of a hub for ‘restorative forming part of our ongoing, long-
donation to ICE as part of a three- practice’, which studies how to term commitment to making a
year development programme, improve and repair relationships meaningful difference in the
focused on the former Player Wills between people and communities. communities in which we operate.
factory in Dublin 8. BYC provides homework facilities, a Our employees look forward to
ICE’s achievements are impressive. recreational space for sport, art and working closely with BYC over the
Since 2012, the social enterprise has drama, and a hot meal for between 70 next three years in the development
supported the employment of 1,200 and 90 children and teenagers daily. of this hub.”
people in for-profit ventures as well
as a smaller number of social JASON CLARKE
enterprises.
Nearby, also in Dublin 8, BAM is
the main contractor for the new
children’s hospital currently under
construction. BAM is funding a
€500,000 Community Benefit Fund
which will provide education
bursaries and apprenticeship support,
as well as aiding community projects
and developing cultural, arts and
sports initiatives in the area from
2020 to 2022. CSR efforts around the
new hospital have so far included
refurbishing a space for the Solas
Youth Project social enterprise and
working with the F2 Homework Club.
In Tallaght, where international
project delivery specialists, the PM
Group has its head office, the
company funds a €50,000 bursary
for Old Bawn Community School
pupils, to support students’ interest
in STEM subjects. PM Group’s
SMBC Aviation Capital is funding the activities of Belvedere Youth Club with
commitment spans provision of
a €710,000 donation. Pictured with finance minister Paschal Donohoe (left)
laptops, mentoring, transition year
and Tina Roche is Jonathan Dowling, BYC team leader
work experience and internships for
64 BUS INES S PL US A U GU ST 2020B P S URV EY CSR & S USTA I NAB ILI TY
Practical Ways To Embrace
Diversity & Inclusion Agenda
C
SR initiatives focused on Employment offers the best opportunity for vulnerable
employment can be among the
most rewarding for businesses
individuals to become active participants in society,
and individuals. As well as writes Emily Styles
providing career opportunities for
marginalised or disadvantaged groups Companies that have participated in visits and support from business
in Irish society, employers get to see the programme include Enterprise volunteers.
tangible and immediate results from Rent-a-Car and eBay. And most
their socially minded efforts. recently, KPMG provided virtual Women@Work
Business in the Community Ireland mentoring and career advice during The Women@Work programme
(BITCI) specialises in sustainability the Covid-19 lockdown. supports women in returning to the
and CSR advisory, and the organisation workforce or entering it for the first
runs a range of employment initiatives. Ready For Work time by connecting with businesses. It
They aim to promote integration and In this programme, employers assist also helps women who have already
social inclusion for immigrants and people with disabilities and health participated in employability
refugees; people emerging from challenges by providing guidance, work programmes to find suitable
homelessness and/or addiction; experience and in-work supports. The employment. BT Ireland is one of the
individuals with mental health programme has helped more than 800 employers involved in the programme
problems; long-term unemployed; and people, 70% of whom found and during the Covid-19 lockdown, the
women returning to the workforce or employment since completing the company provided a virtual workshop
entering it for the first time. programme’s work experience module, to the female participants, covering CV
which usually lasts for four weeks. reviews and feedback, as well as tips on
EPIC Participant companies have included how they could stand out during the
The EPIC programme works with Lidl, Boots, Dalata Group and Luas recruitment process.
people from migrant or refugee operator Transdev Dublin. The Department for Employment
backgrounds and features pre- Affairs and Social Protection provide
employment training, one-to-one RISE funding for ‘Ready For Work’, while the
guidance and opportunities for work The Refugees Integration, Skills and Department of Justice and European
experience. Employability programme (RISE) helps Social Fund support BITCI’s work with
EPIC provides six weeks of pre- refugees and asylum seekers with work ethnic minorities. The organisation’s
employment training for participants, permits to integrate into society and ‘Inclusive Employer’ blueprint is a
covering topics such as job-seeking progress into employment or ‘how-to’ guide for companies on how to
skills and CV and interview education. Seven weeks of pre- be authentically diverse and inclusive.
preparation. One-to-one support is also employment training is provided, and For more information on the
provided by career counsellors. the scheme encompasses business programmes, see bitc.ie
JASON CLARKE
Attendees at a BITCI function earlier this year that celebrated the achievements of participants
in the organisation’s diversity and inclusion employment programmesKBC Bank
Sustainability at KBC is powered by our
business culture and the contributions made
by our people, who are instrumental in
earning, keeping and growing customers’ trust,
through a culture of responsible behaviour.
Irish consumers want more from their bank – more
convenience, value and transparency. We are transforming
how banking is done and we recognise the opportunity to
deliver more for consumers.
To ensure the most positive impact for communities, our
sustainability programme is mapped against the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), a set of goals agreed by the UN
member states to define global sustainable development
priorities and aspirations for 2030. We aim to make a Supporting Charity Partners through volunteering is a
key part of KBC's CSR strategy
positive impact under four key areas of
Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy,
Environmental Responsibility, and Health & More and more, we see that people are changing how they
Wellbeing. In addition to these pillars, our charity bank, and we continue to see an increasing expectation for
partnership programme is key in supporting charities online and digital solutions. At KBC, we recognise the role
through skill-sharing and fundraising. we have to play in improving financial literacy and new ways
of banking. We recently hosted a virtual home series event
In 2020, the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic meant for over 1,000 registered attendees to meet the needs of new
that we had to quickly adapt our sustainability strategy to buyers. In addition, we have made changes to some of our
look at the ways that we could best support our customers processes in order to help customers continue their
and society while still focusing on our four pillar areas. mortgage journey.
A cultural shift to manage health and wellness is evident in Our employees, while working from home, continue to
Irish society. Through our sponsorship of Wellfest and the support entrepreneurship and charitable causes. With
KBC Dublin Marathon, we empower individuals in Enactus Ireland, KBC volunteers mentor students to
achieving their goals with training tips and free online develop their social enterprise ideas. In response to
programmes. employee feedback, KBC are focusing our fundraising
efforts on the Covid-19 Response Fund managed by
The Community Foundation for Ireland, and
have provided employees with three volunteering days
to support the community response.
Climate change is still one of the biggest challenges of our
time and we understand the urgent need for action. Our
Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Funds enable clients
to invest in sustainable and ethical companies to contribute
to a more sustainable society and environment. Internally,
we encourage employees to make greener lifestyle choices
through our Greener Way programme, reflecting our
Olympian Mick Clohisey launching the KBC Virtual Dublin
belief that change starts from within.
Marathon, which takes place in October
The importance of looking after physical and mental health We will continue to raise awareness of climate change and
has never been so important, and so this year we extended as a digital first bank, our approach needs to go hand-in-
our free WellGood 30-day digital wellness programme, hand with a greener, more sustainable society.
which features tips on exercise, improving nutrition and
mindset, to reflect the needs of communities. We are also
delighted to announce that we will run a virtual Dublin
Marathon in October 2020.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we also put in place a
range of measures to support ‘cocooning’ customers,
including a series of care calls to over 5,000 people.
66 BUS INES S PL US A UG US T 2020Nestlé in Ireland
NUTRITION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS
CREATING Sugar Reduction
SHARED VALUE In three years we have removed over 2.4 billion teaspoons of
At Nestlé, we unlock the power of food to sugar and 60 billion calories from our UK and Irish products,
enhance quality of life for everyone, today alongside the reduction of salt and saturated fat across many
and for generations to come. We believe products, while maintaining the quality and taste people love.
that long-term success goes hand in hand Some examples of this have been the Rowntree’s Fruit
with creating value for our shareholders Pastilles and Randoms with 30% less sugar, Milkybar with
and for society as a whole. As the world’s increased milk content, and increased milk and cocoa content in
leading nutrition, health and wellness KitKat. Improved recipes have been developed with less sugar
company, working to create social, and more wholegrain for Cheerios and Shreddies.
environmental and economic value is
Andrew Shaw, Country
central to how we do business. Manager, Nestlé Ireland Diversity & Inclusion
Nestlé Ireland has been awarded the Investors in Diversity Silver
accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity, and Nestlé’s UK
SUSTAINABILITY
& Ireland LGBT+ Network was shortlisted as a Top 10 Network
As the Good Food, Good Life Company, we believe that good
Group in the 2020 British LGBT Awards.
food also respects our planet and protects resources for future
generations. Helping advance the health of our planet and
ensuring there will always be enough nutritious food grown
NO FOOD WASTE
Since 2018, Nestlé Ireland
sustainably is key to everything we do. Our aim is to grow our
has contributed a total of
business while reducing our impacts on the environment through
73,800 meals to
a sustainability strategy for each of our brands and for our
community groups
company as a whole.
through FoodCloud’s
redistribution model,
RECYCLABLE
which is the equivalent of
PACKAGING
avoiding 99 tonnes of CO2
Building on our commitment
from going to waste.
to make 100% of our Andrew Shaw with broadcaster
packaging recyclable or Bláthnaid Treacy (left) and Pieta
reusable by 2025, Nestlé will
SUPPORTING OUR
COMMUNITIES House CEO, Elaine Austin
reduce its use of virgin
Our charity partner for
plastics by one third in the
2019-2021 is Pieta House, and the team at Nestlé Ireland will
same period while working Anna Turrell (right), Head of work to raise over €100,000 across the three-year partnership to
with others to advance the Sustainability, leads Nestlé’s provide Pieta House with support for their services.
circular economy and drive to achieve 100%
endeavour to clean up plastic recyclable or reusable Over €7.5 million has been raised for Childline in a 16-year
waste from oceans, lakes and packaging partnership, supporting almost 400,000 calls to its service, which
rivers. We have introduced
assists children in distress. We have also been proud supporters
recyclable paper wrappers on our new YES! snacks range and
of Dublin and Cork Simon over the past 10 years, providing
popular Smarties sharing block, and will be investing up to €1.9
them with 3.25 million cups of Nescafé coffee and thousands of
billion to accelerate the development of innovative sustainable
KitKats.
packaging solutions.
During Covid-19, Nestlé
Our Nestlé Cocoa Plan and Nescafé Plan aim to improve the
Ireland substantially stepped
lives of cocoa and coffee farmers and the quality of their products
up its existing support and
– in 2015, we became the first confectionery company in Ireland
established new relationships
to use 100% certified sustainable cocoa for all our confectionery.
to aid those on the frontlines
Nestlé Ireland take part in a beach clean on Bray and the most vulnerable in
seafront for World Oceans Day our communities. Providing
additional financial aid to
During Covid-19, Nestlé Ireland has
FoodCloud, the Irish Red
contributed over 47,000 products
Cross and the DSPCA, as well
to the HSE
as supporting organisations
like the HSE, Order of Malta Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society, the
Dublin Simon Community, MADRA, Limerick Animal Welfare
and Ash Animal Sanctuary with the supplies needed for their
operations, Nestlé has contributed over €290,000 in product and
financial assistance since the onset of Covid-19.
B U S I N E S S P L US AU G U S T 20 2 0 67B P S U RVE Y CS R & SUS TA INA BI LI T Y
Partnerships That Highlight
International CSR Outreach
Charity begins at home but the CSR theme also takes in practical and funding assistance
for people in need elsewhere, writes Emily Styles
S
ome companies like to think to some of the world’s most technologies, power and
outside of the box with their vulnerable communities. maintenance skills. Even when Goal
CSR initiatives, while others Water-Share Ireland is a can access funds for delivery of
go further and think outside of partnership of public and private infrastructure, the success of the
the country. The street children of water sector companies aiming to work relies on building capability at
Kolkata (Calcutta) are benefitting leverage expertise, experience and local level to operate and maintain
from the CSR activities of Enet funding to help sustainable facilities from which the very poorest
Group, which is aiming to raise implementation of water and can benefit. This is where we come
€70,000 to help them. sanitation programmes in developing in. Goal staff on the ground can now
Enet is partnering with The Hope countries. The initiative is led by call on technical assistance from
Foundation, a Munster charity Jerry Grant, former managing Irish water engineers and
working to improve the quality of life director of Irish Water. technologists.”
for street and slum children in India. Goal is currently undertaking Companies looking to become a
Together, the open-access network water and sanitation programmes in corporate member of the Water-
provider and the charity are in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Syria. Share Ireland initiative can commit
supporting a boy’s home in Kolkata In Syria, Goal provided access to up to €5,000 in annual funding and
that caters for solvent-addicted water for c.820,000 people last year, provide a nominee to work on the
children. Enet’s commitment while in Ethiopia the programmes initiative’s committee. Alternatively,
involves a series of fundraising reached 240,000 people and in companies can support the initiative
events to raise the €70,000. Sudan 115,000 people. by providing up to €1,000 annually,
Elsewhere, yoghurt producer According to Grant: “Our target which would also allow them to help
Glenisk is managing to straddle areas have limited scope for modern coordinate projects.
domestic and international CSR
activities by working with Self-Help MARK STEDMAN
Africa on the charity’s One Million
Trees initiative, which will see ten
trees planted in Africa for every
native tree planted in Ireland. The
initiative aims to arrange 1,000,000
trees planted in sub-Saharan Africa
and 100,000 trees planted in Ireland.
Glenisk was drawn to the initiative
because it accords with the
company’s sustainability principles –
the business is one of the original
members of Bord Bia’s Origin Green
programme. The campaign is being
publicised through Glenisk’s Bio
yoghurt range, with consumers urged
to donate €5 to plant one tree in
Ireland and ten in Africa. Glenisk’s
support for the initiative will see it
reforest up to 120 acres of what was
previously Glenisk Woods in Co.
Offaly.
An alliance of Irish water sector
companies has joined with
humanitarian aid agency Goal to
deliver sustainable WASH (Water, Former Irish Water boss Jerry Grant has galvanised colleagues to
Sanitation and Hygiene) programmes support Goal water and sanitation projects
68 BUS INES S PL US A U GU ST 2020Core
At Core, our CSR vision is ‘to help HUGS
HUGS works in conjunction with the Terry Child Support
transform lives in a positive way and shape Centre in Kenya. It gives orphans and other less fortunate
a brighter future’. We aim to do this by children access to a better quality of life through education,
partnering with charities that we feel can resources and amenities. This year, the proceeds from our
help us to carry out this vision. We have a Strictly Core Dancing fundraiser went to HUGS and Jigsaw.
few chosen charities, such as Junior
In November 2019, we had the pleasure of Mama Leah
Achievement Ireland and HUGS.
(Reverend Leah Ambwaya), founder of the centre, visiting
our office with her daughter, Patricia. Mama Leah told
her story of setting up the centre, which provided great
insight into the impact of the work that our volunteers do bi-
annually on their visits to the centre. Unfortunately, due to
the impact of Covid-19 this year, our volunteers were unable
to travel to Kenya. We hope that in 2021, our volunteers will
get an opportunity to fly out and work with the Terry Child
Support Centre and Mama Leah.
JIGSAW
We have worked with
Core wins Silver ‘Investors in Diversity’ Award from the Irish mental health charity
Centre for Diversity (ICD). (From left) Caroline Tyler from ICD with Jigsaw on several
Jill Downey, Managing Director of Core Sponsorship and initiatives in
Aidan Greene, Deputy CEO Core. 2019/2020. Core
partnered with Jigsaw
Besides fundraising, we believe it is important to take a to launch their new
physical part in helping our chosen charities. Each year, we campaign Revolution
send volunteers to help teach Junior Achievement x Jigsaw, which was a
Ireland programmes in primary and secondary schools virtual cycle challenge
across Dublin. We also have a group of volunteers who fly to Revolution x Jigsaw participants
to ensure that children flying the flag for Core
Kenya as part of HUGS, to the Child Support and Youth in Ireland will have
Resources Centre in Machakos, Kenya. We have also been access to the mental health services and supports they
working with the Simon Community and plan to gather deserve. The CSR committee worked closely with Jigsaw to
a group of Core employees to fund and furnish a get people to sign up and take part. Taking part on Mental
psychologically informed environment for a former Health Day in October 2019, Core colleagues cycled on static
homeless person. bikes from 9am until 4:30pm, raising €2,205 for the charity.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY IRELAND
The main focus of Junior Achievement is to encourage In 2018, we started working with Business in the Community
school kids to remain in education. Every year, 15 employees Ireland’s Time To Read scheme, in which we partnered
from across Core volunteer to go to inner-city schools to with St James’s Primary School in Dublin 8. Twelve
teach a Junior Achievement programme. As part of the CSR volunteers from Core read with 20 children from 2nd and
Committee's 3rd class once a week for 20 weeks. Each child gets half an
collaboration with hour one-on-one reading time with a Core volunteer once
Junior Achievement a week.
Ireland, Core’s
boardroom became the In 2020, some of the children from St. James’s Primary
Dragons’ Den! We had a School got a chance to see where their ‘reading buddies’
5th and 6th class group work. The kids had a tour of the office and got to complete
from St. Patrick’s boys’ their reading time in the comfort of our CoLab meeting
national school in room, complete with optional dress-up!
Ringsend visiting us to
present their business Core Data MD Ronan Brady awarding
the winning Dragons’ Den team for
plans and pitch for
their waterproof socks
financial investment.
We had our mentors to
help guide the students with their short presentations,
and ‘Dragons’ for the students to face.
B U S I N E S S PL U S AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 69B P S U RVE Y CS R & SUS TA INA BI LI T Y
Open Doors Initiative Smooths
Jobs Path For Marginalised
The Open Doors Initiative sees businesses offer training and job opportunities to
marginalised groups, writes Emily Styles
A
s employment opportunities
tumble in Ireland due to the
Covid-19 lockdown, first in
the firing line are refugees
and asylum seekers, people with
disabilities and under-25s with
educational barriers. Their path to
employment is always difficult and
the Open Doors Initiative is
endeavouring to provide assistance.
Open Doors was established in
2018 and acts as a bridge between
organisations that deal with
marginalised groups and the
corporate sector. On the employer
side, there are now 45 companies
involved, including Cpl, Dawn Meats,
AIB, Dalata Hotels, Diageo and
Sodexo.
Open Doors chief executive Jeanne Liferay International’s Veronica Rodriguez Cabezas says
McDonagh explains: “The initiative hiring refugees makes good business sense
supports marginalised groups in
accessing training, work experience, apprenticeships, and other supports. about refugee hires at its Dublin
mentoring and employment. It is led More than 1,900 people have been office. Veronica Rodriguez Cabezas,
by people with lived experience in assisted by Open Doors programmes, director of operations, explains that
disability and migrant issues, and we with 130 people securing full-time the company has a programme that
want to grow that expertise directly employment. Open Doors taps hires one refugee at a time through a
within the communities we are supporting companies for short-term contract.
helping. volunteering, with the most recent “This has truly been a mutually
“Workplace participation remains tally amounting to 22,000 hours. beneficial relationship,” she says.
very low among certain groups McDonagh adds: “Marginalised “The people we’ve employed have
and there are many barriers to groups have many people who are gained both hard and soft skills that
employment. By working with other creative, innovative, resilient and will help them advance in the world
companies and organisations to adaptable problem-solvers because of of business, whether they choose to
create a new government and private the difficulties they face daily. The remain at Liferay or move on to
sector initiative, Open Doors strives untapped talent pools and potential another opportunity, and we’ve
to increase opportunities for people target markets are being opened up gained great talent that has literally
in workplaces with an inclusive by our participating organisations.” improved our bottom line.
ethos. Research carried out by Open “Just as importantly, the presence
“We empower employers to be Doors found that 95% of participants of members of the refugee
disability and culturally confident by who engage with the training feel community in our workforce has
imbuing acceptance and awareness. more confident about applying for a enriched the diversity and experience
We help create various pathways to job and attending an interview. The of our team and helped us to better
gain employment and help benefits for businesses and mirror both the society in which we
marginalised people into a participants is lasting too, with three- operate and our pool of potential
progressive career.” quarters of those who gained full- customers. Hiring refugees is not an
Employers improve employment time employment through Open act of charity. It’s a decision that
opportunities through a mix of Doors managing to sustain it. makes good business sense and
training programmes and skills Liferay International, a digital benefits the communities in which
workshops, work experience and experience platform, is enthusiastic private enterprises operate.”
70 BUS INES S PL US A U GU ST 2020An Post
An Post has moved to embed
Sustainability at the very heart of its
business. The company has focused on
making real progress in carbon reduction
and earning long-term benefits for the
communities it serves.
An Post’s e-fleet currently stands at more than
220 vehicles, the largest electric fleet in Ireland.
The company has achieved a reduction of 33% in
its carbon footprint since 2009, and a 15%
improvement in energy efficiency. And that is
not all. An Post recently produced its 2019
Sustainability Report, and even a brief glance
at the document shows an impressive list of
achievements and a commitment to
further gains.
An Post reports significant progress during An Post is rolling out zero carbon emission delivery across Ireland’s cities.
2019 using the five Sustainable Pictured with CEO David McRedmond (left) are Garrett Bridgeman,
Development Goals most relevant to the Managing Director, Mails & Parcels, and postal worker Laura Fitzsimons
postal industry to guide its business strategy
and reporting framework: Climate Action; Decent Work & l A leadership position on Gender Pay and an action plan
Economic Growth; Sustainable Cities & Communities; for better gender balance and diversity across the company.
Responsible Consumption & Production; and Industry, l Reaffirmation of An Post’s opposition to Zero Hour
Innovation & Infrastructure. contracts.
l The creation of Address Point, a world-first, free personal
SUSTAINABILITY PROGRESS address service for people who are homeless or living in
Among the highlights of An Post’s progress in 2019 alone temporary accommodation.
were:
l A reduction of carbon emissions by 3.5 % over 2018 and ZERO CARBON DELIVERY
accelerating the commitment to 50% carbon footprint An Post is the first postal service provider in the world to
reduction by 2025 (originally 2030). attain zero carbon emission delivery status in a capital city.
l Becoming the first postal company in the world to Every An Post letter and parcel delivery in Dublin City
eliminate carbon emissions from deliveries in a capital city. Centre is emission free, avoiding 450 tonnes of CO2.
l A commitment to having emission-free deliveries in all Zero carbon emission deliveries are being rolled out to
cities by end 2020 and upwards of 750 electric vehicles Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, and by
across Ireland. the end of 2020 will benefit the lives of another 700,000
people. All of the electricity for the electric fleet is sourced
solely from renewable resources.
RETROFIT GREEN HUB
Later this year, An Post will take centre stage with its
Green Hub, providing end-to-end project management
and money-saving advice for all levels of home retrofitting,
along with a low-cost loan rate. This one-stop-shop
approach will cover loan-only or full retrofit services, from
initial home assessments to completed works, along with
SEAI grant application and payment process.
An Post will play a leading role in supporting the
government’s climate action plan to retrofit up to 500,000
houses, and Irish householders’ desire to make
environmentally responsible decisions when investing in
their homes or replacing fossil-fuelled vehicles.
The An Post service Address Point provides a personal address
An Post’s purpose is clear and clearly stated: ‘To improve
and mail collection service for people who are homeless or
living in temporary accommodation. the lives of people in Ireland now and for generations to
Pictured are Debbie Byrne, Managing Director, An Post Retail, come.’ The months to come will show further advances and
with Tara McNeill ambitious moves on the company’s Sustainability agenda.
B U S I N E S S PL U S AU G U S T 2 0 20 71You can also read
