City council receives prestigious award for sustainability work at international ceremony

Cork city was honoured at an awards ceremony in Brussels this week for its range of sustainability projects.

More than 60 cities participated in the EU Intelligent Cities Challenge over the last two years to advance the green transition in Europe by establishing partnerships at a local level.

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran accepted the award on Thursday for the ‘highest number of local green deals (LGDs) of a consistently high quality’.

Cork City Council signed 12 deals with a range of private, community, and voluntary organisations, with the agreed LGDs ranging from building retrofits and installation of rooftop solar PV panels to waste management and community education programmes.

The deals included Boston Scientific decarbonising their plant and Sunday’s Well Rugby Club installing solar PV panels and creating a green wall.

Others included a toy library social enterprise to reduce plastic waste by supporting people to freely share toys within their neighbourhood and the installation of solar PV by Ballyphehane Community Association.

Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork, said: “The city is using the LGD process to support its participation in the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.

“This award is another important milestone on our journey.

“I would like to thank Cork Chamber for its assistance and the many other organisations who have made commitments.

“The fact that the award recognises not just the quantity, but also the quality, of the partnerships is particularly satisfying.”

Cork City Council’s support ranges from funding for the community and for voluntary and sporting groups to providing technical assistance, such as consultancy services for small- and medium-sized enterprises and advisor-based assistance from its Climate Action Unit. 

Cork City Council will be promoting the organisations’ projects with a view to increasing similar efforts and awareness around further LGDs.

Chief executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan, said: “This award is due recognition of the hard work of the city council and its partners in this regard.”