Cork Chamber selected as one of 20 Sustainable Development Goal Champions

Latest cohort appointed by the Department of the Environment brings the total number of SDG Champions to 54

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024 - 07:05

Emer Walsh

Cork Chamber has been chosen by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications as one of twenty organisations nationwide to become a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champion.

The Chamber will join organisations ranging from the Irish Girl Guides to ALDI, all of which are joining the scheme towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the 17 Goals which aim to deliver sustainable development for people and the planet.

Already, 34 organisations and groups have become SDG Champions across the 2019-2020 and 2023-2024 programmes, including Musgraves, the GAA, Macra na Feirme and Chambers Ireland, with the latest cohort bringing the total number of champions to 54.

Announcing the appointments, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan said: "The world is currently off track to achieve the SDGs and accelerated action is needed. However, in this decade of action for the SDGs, Ireland is determined to play a leading role in delivering on the goals – locally, nationally and internationally."

“Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the programme this year, demonstrating the growing commitment of Irish society to live up to and promote the goals which have at their heart equality, access to basic right like clean water, clean energy, food and shelter for all, and climate justice."

Speaking on Cork Chamber's appointment as a champion, chief executive Conor Healy said: "We are honoured to accept this appointment by DECC to champion the Sustainable Development Goals among the business and wider community."

"Businesses have a crucial role to play in contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. We look forward to working with the Minister, the Department and the 19 other SDG Champions over the next year to make impactful changes."

Appointed as part of the 2024-2025 SDG Champions Programme, the chosen organisations will help raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs as a roadmap for a safer, fairer, more prosperous and sustainable future for all.

The organisations appointed under this year’s programme have been selected from across the public, private, community, voluntary, youth and NGO sectors and are represented by larger national organisations and smaller community groups.