Pictured launching the 2018 Northern Ireland Benchmarking Survey is (from left): Ian Nuttall, Business in the Community Northern Ireland; Declan Cunningham, Head of Sustainability, Moy Park; Keelin McCone, Business in the Community; David Small, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

A few days left to enter Northern Ireland’s leading environmental benchmarking process.

Organisations in Holywood still have a bit of time to submit entries for the 2018 Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey. Businesses can apply online at www.nienvsurvey.com. The deadline for entries was Friday 29 June 2018.

The Survey, which is run by Business in the Community, sponsored by Moy Park and supported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, recognises and rewards those organisations that are going above and beyond their legal requirements to minimise their environmental impact and better manage their resources.

Last year, 90 organisations took part in the Survey, achieving an average score of 77%. Twenty organisations moved into a higher band, by demonstrating environmental improvement.

Ian Nuttall, Head of Environment, Business in the Community, explains: “Since its inception in 1998, the Survey has played a key part in helping to drive environmental improvement in Northern Ireland. It provides a platform for organisations to benchmarking their environmental performance with other businesses and identify areas for improvement.

Mr Nuttall continued: “Over the past 20 years, the Survey has acted as a catalyst for continuous improvement, encouraging firms to reduce their environmental impacts year-on-year. Consistency is key for environmental improvement; typically we see companies gradually increasing their scores through continued participating, starting at a bronze level and working their way towards gold and platinum. In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of new organisations joining the Survey process and we hope to welcome more new organisations to the Survey process this year.”

Moy Park is one of the companies that has taken part in Survey since it began in 1998. Declan Cunningham, Head of Sustainability explains: “At Moy Park, we are committed to sustainable practices which minimise our environmental impact and make a positive contribution to the way people live. As such, we are delighted to sponsor the NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey once again this year. Corporate responsibility is a major focus for Moy Park and we are extremely pleased to have received ‘Platinum’ status – the highest scoring level – in the Survey for the last five years.”

David Small, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, adds: “The Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey is well established as the province’s leading tool in providing businesses with proof of their green status. By helping organisations to analyse their environmental management and understand their impacts, the Survey plays a key role in encouraging local organisations to be more sustainable. It is great that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs can once again support the Survey and I look forward to seeing the results in November.”

The Survey is open to businesses and organisations of all sizes and sectors from across Northern Ireland. The results, which are independently verified, will be revealed at an exclusive event at Belfast Harbour on Thursday 22 November.

Business in the Community is hosting a free workshop for new Survey participants on Wednesday 13 June. For more information or to register, email keelin.mccone@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606.

To take part in the Survey, visit www.nienvsurvey.com