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NEWS
Oct/Nov 2011 www.esb.ie/em
Corporate Centre embraces sustainability
YOU MIGHT THINK that compared to other Business Units, there is only a limited role for sustainability in Corporate Centre, but you’d be way off the mark.
When it comes to sustainability in the Corporate Centre, everyone is a leader, says John Healy, Sustainability Manager for Corporate Centre. This is clearly spelt out in the Corporate Centre’s sustainability leadership plan, developed earlier this year. The plan contains personal responsibilities and commitments applicable to all in the Corporate Centre. Targets are set down for items such:
- Use of WebEx and/or video conferencing to minimise travel.
- Sustainable work practices relating to energy usage, recycling, printing, etc.
John Healy sees increasing awareness and appreciation of sustainability at all levels in the Corporate Centre, particularly this year. “People in the Corporate Centre are more and more beginning to see sustainability as a way of thinking and working - not something extra we do.”
Champions
Behind this drive towards more sustainable behaviour are the Corporate Centre sustainability champions. Working quietly but effectively, the champions are successfully bringing about a change in attitude, an increased awareness and a better understanding of sustainability among their colleagues.
Their sustainability duties are in addition to their normal roles, but the impact of the champions is far reaching. In spreading the word and advising on sustainable practices, the Corporate Centre champions attend briefings, have hosted workshops and are leading the Corporate Centre drive towards sustainable work practices.
Core Competency
Sustainability has been established as a core competency throughout ESB and staff are expected to achieve the competency. Targets for each Business Unit have been set out in this regard. A knowledge and understanding of sustainability brings about genuine changes in behaviour, says John Healy. John has set a target of 100% of Corporate Centre staff to achieve the level 1 competence in sustainability by year end. We are well on the way towards that target, says John. The level 1 competence, achievable through a 40m minute e-learning course, is a very effective motivator for change. John urges any remaining Corporate Centre staff to complete the e learning module as soon as possible.
Sustainability Audits
A feature of sustainable working is the Corporate Centre is the sustainability peer audits. This involves a system of reviews to capture good practices and to recommend improvements. The system was developed by the Corporate Centre champions, supported by Tommy Hopper, Sheila O’Connor, Cormac Madden and John Healy.
Sustainability audits are quickly becoming a key way of extending awareness of good sustainability practices among Corporate Centre staff. The fact that the senior managers including EDT members carry out the audits shows the firm commitment at all levels in Corporate Centre to sustainability.
Daire O’Broin spearheading Concern initiative
RETIRED ESB POWER Generation Manager and Concern Worldwide worker Daire Ó Broin is back from a three-week visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - North Korea.
Concern is one of a handful of aid agencies that works in the country and it is the only Irish development NGO there. Concern works under the umbrella partnership of the European Union.
In North Korea Concern works with State academies, which are in some way similar to semi-State organisations.
“On my flight from Beijing to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, all the passengers were given a copy of The Pyongyang Times,” Daire explains.
“Flicking through the pages I was amazed to see such a conformity of opinion on all the news and opinion topics. And the former leader, the late Kim Il Sung, is constantly referred to in the newspaper. It would be true to say that he is given an almost religious reverence.
“So naturally when I landed at the airport in Pyongyang I was really excited to see what life was like on the ground in this hidden-away country,” Daire says.
Daire visits Concern’s projects around the world ensuring that electrical and engineering appliances are safe and up to standard. He also advises on Concern projects.
While in North Korea he drew up plans for a small hydro plant.
“Concern is involved in food, water and sanitation programmes in the country. We are providing money for seeds and machinery on the collective farms. We are also engaged in building glasshouses and assisting in harvesting and thrashing. Food is processed on farms and in local towns and we are supplying money and expertise for this,” he says.
Concern is also involved in designing, purchasing and installing water networks for towns. The NGO also funds and oversees the installation of water pumping stations and it is involved in small solar powered pumping stations.
“Right now the United Nations is surveying the country in order to build more hydro stations and it is in that context that I was asked to draw up plans for the station. It was a woman, the collective farm manager, Mrs Chung, who asked me to submit the plans,” Daire explains.
The farm at Channgye, a three hour drive from Pyongang, is in a mountainous area and has a staff of 1,500 people.
There is a great emphasis of self-reliance and people are taught to believe that they don’t need any outside help.
Maize, rice and vegetables are the main crops and it is all planted by hand. The maize is first put into nurseries and then transferred to the fields.
“Just as I was amazed reading The Pyongyang Times on the flight to North Korea, I was also intrigued with life in the country but particularly so in the capital.
“There are massive roads and apartment blocks but it seems as if the roads are empty of traffic and the apartment blocks more or less for show. It is, somehow or other, like one big bubble. The infrastructure is all there but it is simply not sustainable.
“And yet, right now the World Food Programme has started to feed six million people. The food shortage has resulted from a drought in the country.
“Everyone seems busy and I never saw anyone simply hanging around doing nothing.
“Right across the country, in farmsteads and in villages and towns there are monuments to the late Kim Il Sung – the man I read all about on the flight to Pyongyang,” Daire recalls.
Concern has a staff of 17 and is spending €1.165 million this year in the country.
Concern is well placed to impact positively on the lives of the poor in North Korea. It maintains an emergency response capability in the country and works closely with other organisations in planning responses to potential hazards and natural disasters.
Daire’s stay coincided with the visit of former Irish President Mary Robinson with three Elders to the country. Mrs Robinson and her colleagues were in the country in an effort to improve relations between North Korea and the United Nations.
Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interest of humanity.
Zurich and ESB ecars launch electric car insurance scheme
Zurich links with ESB ecars to launch Ireland’s First Electric Car Insurance product
ZURICH INSURANCE has launched one of the world’s first tailored electric car insurance products in Ireland. Developed in Ireland in association with ESB ecars, the exclusive insurance product is a first for Zurich globally and is designed to meet the specific needs of electric and plug-in hybrid car owners in Ireland.
Zurich will offer its Irish customers a 20% discounted rate on their electric and plug-in hybrid car insurance premium and customers will also benefit from a range of tailored benefits.
The product is being launched to coincide with the nationwide roll out of charge points by ESB ecars and the wider availability of electric cars in the Irish market.
