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Sustainability

The purpose of the RDS is to see Ireland thrive culturally and economically. Established in 1731 we have always adopted a long-term view that has allowed us to effect change with enduring legacy and impact. d in the RDS since its inception. It is evident throughout our work that has supported Irish society since our foundation, with lasting impact in the areas of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Sustainability

We all have a responsibility to act and we are committed to becoming a more sustainable venue. But uniquely, we are also driving long-term sustainability for Ireland as a whole, beyond the confines of our campus. We recognise that we need to change our behaviours and systems throughout the country, as well as on our campus. And we are leading this change: 

  1. Education: ESB Science Blast is our STEM education programme that the RDS runs on a not-for-profit basis, as we do for everything within our Foundation work programme. Over 34,000 children have participated to date over 3 years, with hundreds of projects focused on climate change, the environment and energy efficiency, imbuing thousands of children with greater knowledge and interest.
  2. Best Practice: With a proud lineage in both scientific and agricultural innovation, the RDS is encouraging and showcasing the most efficient farm practices in Ireland. Last year we added three Awards on rural sustainability to the RDS Spring Awards – recognising that farming life has to change in line with our overarching responsibilities.
  3. Recognition: The RDS operate Ireland’s only Forestry Awards which encourage afforestation around the country. Sustainability is now part of our judges criteria. They look for community amenities, biodiversity benefits and sustainable broadleaf woodlands. These Awards have been running for decades and hark back to the first RDS forestry involvement when a major planting of trees in Ireland was spearheaded by the RDS in the 18th century
Venue

Venue

As a venue we’re committed to being a role model for addressing the challenges of maintaining historical buildings and also being a sustainable campus. We have been awarded the ISO50001 certificate for energy efficiency, have covered a roof in solar panels that directly feed our 6 electric vehicle charge points. We are also moving towards replacing all single-use plastic with fully compostable alternatives. When you run an event in the RDS you are behaving sustainably but also you are contributing to the bigger change toward sustainability for Ireland.

Turning waste into compost

Turning waste into compost

All of the grass cuttings and green waste produced at the RDS are sent to Thorntons Waste & Recycling, who turn this into compost for use around the campus. The RDS Head Gardener uses this for all the summer planting in the RDS grounds. Pollinator plants are encouraged too, through the planting of native wildflowers in some parts of the grounds, while allowing lawn flowers to grow in other parts by not trimming the grass tightly.

Policy Principles 

The RDS acknowledges that our work has environmental and other resource impacts and that we are responsible for managing these impacts in a sustainable way. We strive for excellence in all that we do and are committed to contributing to the creation of a sustainable environment, economy and society by embedding sustainability in all of our endeavours.

Under this policy we commit to the following:

  • Establishing a Sustainability Roadmap framework for setting and reviewing site-specific sustainability and energy objectives and targets
  • Ensuring the availability of information and the necessary resources to achieve our objectives and targets
  • Complying with all applicable legal and other requirements relating to energy use, consumption and efficiency as well as environmental, health & safety and social regulations
  • Continually improving our energy performance, water management and reducing the generation of waste, greenhouse gas and other emissions
  • Working with staff and suppliers to embed sustainability considerations into our procurement and investment activities, including the procurement of energy efficient products and services, and design for energy performance improvement
  • Promoting biodiversity and striving to prevent pollution and other negative social impacts
  • Minimising the short term and legacy impacts our activities and visitors may have on the locality
  • Raising awareness through training and motivation of employees so that they can conduct their work in a healthy, safe, environmentally, socially and financially responsible manner
  • Treating all stakeholders and employees with fairness, equality and respect at all times, in particular stakeholders with special requirements and needs

This policy and our progress is regularly evaluated by the RDS energy and sustainability team and reported to the RDS Senior Management Team for periodic review. Our management team will lead by example with success and continuous improvement generated by the combined efforts of all stakeholders.