Recycling: The Great Green Illusion?

Right off the bat, let’s get one thing straight. Recycling is not the sustainability saviour we were promised. For decades, we have been told a lovely narrative: that recycling is the key to sustainability. We’ve been encouraged to sort our waste, rinse out our plastics, and drop our empty cartons into the right bin, believing that we’re playing our part in saving the planet. Hate to be the one to break it to you, but this whole system is flawed. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” was always meant to be a hierarchy, yet somehow, we’ve been conditioned to skip the first two and jump straight to “Recycle” like it’s a get-out-of-guilt-free card. Who’s to blame? Let’s take a quick history lesson….

 What if we told you that this narrative was designed to shift responsibility away from the real culprits—corporations and manufacturers—and onto us, the consumers? What if, instead of being the solution, recycling is actually a very cleverly marketed disguise for the...

As we kick off 2025, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Europe are waking up to a big change: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). If you're running an SME, this might sound like just another acronym to keep you awake at night. But before you groan and reach for another cup of coffee, let’s unpack this game-changing regulation and, spoiler alert, it’s not all doom and gloom! Beneath the corporate sustainability jargon lies an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to embrace sustainability, reduce their operating costs, attract good talent and gain competitive advantage in a busy market.

The CSRD is a European Union directive aimed at making sustainability reporting a standard practice (now you know why we’ve been talking about ESG reporting for what feels like forever!). This means new rules, new responsibilities, and, if you play your cards right, new opportunities.

It’s time to get ahead of the curve and understand what the CSRD is all about, what it r...

Brewing Sustainability, One Cup at a Time

Let’s talk about coffee. Not just any coffee, the kind that works towards restoring the planet while simultaneously caffeinating your mornings. Meet Watermark Coffee, a progressive Irish coffee company blending exceptional taste with environmental action. They’re the coffee experts who turn your daily brew into a sustainable action plan.

A Bean of Inspiration

The story of Watermark Coffee begins under the sea. Founder and lifelong scuba diver, David Lawlor, has spent 25 years witnessing the ocean’s decline; bleached coral reefs, shrinking biodiversity, and dwindling marine abundance. This personal connection to the natural world is what fueled a mission: to transform a coffee business into a force for environmental good.

Fast-forward eight years, and that mission has blossomed into a thriving enterprise. Watermark Coffee is now a leader in sustainability, operating with certifications like Rainforest Alliance and Guaranteed Irish. They even...

Introduction: A Milestone We Didn’t Particularly Want to Hit

Congratulations, Earth, you’ve done it again. Another record-breaking year! 2024 has claimed the title of the hottest year on record, tipping over the critical 1.5°C global temperature threshold. While this may sound like the Earth’s equivalent of a fever we just can’t shake, let’s not just dwell on the problem; let’s talk solutions—specifically, education’s role in turning this crisis into an opportunity for action.

Education, particularly Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), has never been more important. It’s not just about understanding the problem but equipping individuals and communities with the tools to create meaningful solutions. Let’s dive into the science, what’s at stake, and how education is our way forward.

The 1.5°C Threshold: Keep Your Cool

You’ve probably heard “1.5°C” tossed around in climate conversations more times than you’ve heard the phrase “net zero.” But what does it really mean? Think ...

Sustainable development is key to the continued survival of humans and the planet as we know it. Without sustainability, there will be no future generations to meet nor teach.

Educators all over the world hold the enormous responsibility to educate our future world leaders, business owners and civil society.

If all educators begin to transfer sustainability awareness and teach green skills, we can inspire collective action on a much larger scale, forming tomorrow’s leaders to ensure we can achieve sustainable development

What are Sustainable Teaching Practices?

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with huge amounts of information at a pace never seen before. This requires constant development, adaptation, and analysis of the world around us and our place within it.

Sustainable practices enhance the quality of life for all, addressing issues like health, education, and equal opportunity. Pollution and poor water &air quality are all threats to human health.

“Global citize...

Who wouldn't want to live in a world where poverty has been eradicated, the planet and all its species are protected and there is peace and prosperity for ALL citizens? That is exactly what the sustainable development goals framework aims to achieve.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all United Nations member states in a historic summit in September 2015. While the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals.

Global issues – such as climate change – urgently require a shift in our lifestyles and a transformation of the way we think and act. To achieve this change, we need new skills, values and attitudes that lead to more sustainable societies. Education systems must respond to this pressing need by defining relevant learning objectives and learning contents, introducing pedagogies that empower learners, and urging their institutions to include sustainability pr...

When you think about Christmas, what comes to mind? Cosy gatherings, heaps of delicious food, sparkly decorations... and, unfortunately, a mountain of waste. From gift wraps that get tossed within seconds to decorations we barely reuse, the festive season can be one of the most wasteful times of the year. But what if we could bring the spirit of sustainability to our Christmas cheer by embracing the circular economy?

Let’s unwrap what a “circular Christmas” looks like, how to bring these sustainable principles into your daily life, and most importantly, how to apply them to have the most eco-friendly festive season yet. This blog covers everything from understanding the circular economy to tips for an eco-friendly Christmas makeover! So, grab your mug of mulled wine and let’s give “decking the halls” a whole new, sustainable meaning.

What Exactly is the Circular Economy?

Before diving into a circular Christmas, let’s understand what the circular economy really is. At its core, the c...

What Exactly is Embodied Carbon and Why Should You Care?

Embodied carbon is the sneaky villain hiding in your hotel’s interior design, lurking in the walls, the furniture, the flooring, and even those beautiful new bathtubs you’ve just installed. Unlike operational carbon, which comes from the energy your business consumes daily, embodied carbon is the carbon footprint associated with everything used to build or renovate a property.

Photo from https://www.rpsgroup.com/services/environment/sustainability-and-climate-resilience/what-is-embodied-carbon/

From the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of materials, embodied carbon is with you from the start of construction all the way through to demolition.

In hospitality, this is especially important because hotels, resorts, and even restaurants undergo frequent renovations. This constant turnover of furniture, fixtures, and décor contributes to substantial embodied carbon emissions. When you ...

As the festive season approaches, it’s time to pack our bags, map our routes, and get excited about those well-deserved escapes.

It is also a great opportunity to be mindful of our environmental impact. So, before we jet off, let’s add a sprinkle of eco-consciousness to our travel plans! Travel, especially during peak seasons, can come with a heavy carbon footprint.

Here’s how to keep it light on the planet and just as joyful. From transportation choices to thoughtful souvenirs, this is your guide to making every trip a little greener! With tailored sustainability tips on five different popular holiday travels, we are here to help you reduce your environmental impact, no matter where you’re headed.

1. Visiting Relatives: Greener Ways to Get Home for festivities

Traveling to spend time with family is a cherished tradition for many. But this type of travel, often involving long car rides or flights, can contribute to significant carbon emissions. Here are some eco-friendly travel tip...

Let’s face it: running a business is no small feat. Between keeping the lights on and the coffee brewing, those utility bills can add up. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to work harder to save money; you just have to work smarter. For companies striving to be both cost-effective and environmentally responsible, reducing utility costs offers a unique opportunity to accomplish both goals. We’re going to dive into some of the ways to cut down on those utility costs, focusing on energy, waste, and water management. With the help of a lot of puns, we'll demonstrate how smarter, more sustainable practices can benefit your bottom line. Plus, stick around to see how our Green Manager Programme can help you go from utility-bill headaches to high-fiving your accountant.

Energy Management: Lighten Up, Literally

Energy costs got you feeling dim? Well brighten up! Because cutting down on energy use doesn’t mean you have to sit in the dark. It’s just about using energy more efficiently and im...