Business leaders from across the country gathered at the Mansion House in Dublin last Thursday for the inaugural Business & Finance ESG Awards.
Upwards of 300 attendees convened for the gala luncheon, with Westport-based global clothing manufacturing company Portwest taking home the Circular Economy Award.
The Mayo company faced stiff competition to take the top spot, with BiaSol, Refurbed, Spotlight Oral Care, VivaGreen Group, and Wisetek, also among the finalists.
The award recognises and celebrates organisations and entrepreneurs who are rethinking the way we make, use and re-use materials to advance a circular economy.
Portwest was lauded for demonstrating a great story of Irish success, extending control of operations across the supply chain, and innovating in materials and products without compromising safety, comfort and brand.
Attracting over 100 entries from 80+ companies nationwide, the ESG Awards were established to recognise and celebrate individuals and groups who are actively striving to address environmental, social and governance issues. The Awards showcase the successes of ESG initiatives and examples of best practice, as well as highlighting the importance of transparency.
In light of growing climate change concerns and the increasing importance of sustainability, increasing numbers of businesses are recognising the need to adopt ESG into their company’s DNA. As such, the ESG Awards were established to commend and encourage this trend by recognising those who are surpassing their expectations and setting a high standard for ESG excellence.
Among the winners were Dublin-based Aviva, who took the Net Zero Carbon Award and were lauded for their ambitious commitment to carbon neutrality since 2006. Bus Éireann picked up the Sustainable Supply Chain Award for its highly innovative AI enabled technology programme. Keelings, meanwhile, took home the Biodiversity Initiative Award, having demonstrated its commitment to biodiversity and sustainability throughout its global reach, while Cool Planet’s Norman Crowley received a special recognition ESG Leader Award as a rapidly scaling global leader in energy and solar services.
Speaking at this afternoon’s ceremony in The Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House, Tracey Carney, Managing Director, ESG Awards, congratulated the winners: "The entries for the inaugural ESG Awards were truly impressive with every corporation present deserving recognition for their efforts.
"The growing impetus to ensure ESG standards are met by companies has introduced a whole new range of technology solutions, ideas and products that are changing the way we do business. These awards celebrate those who are actively striving to address and progress ESG issues in their organisations."
