Northern Ireland’s ‘greenest’ companies are being sought for the annual survey benchmarking their environmental performance.

For the twelfth year, the ARENA Network Environmental Benchmarking Survey will reveal the top performing employers who are best managing their local environmental impacts.

---

Roy Adair, Chief Executive, Belfast Harbour, John McMillen, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Environment Agency with Peter Dixon, Chair and Eamonn Keaveney, Director, ARENA Network

---

Supported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Belfast Harbour Commissioners, the Survey’s annually assesses top businesses in Northern Ireland for environmental management, performance and assurance.

Local councils, health trusts and universities, as well as major employers and businesses are all welcome.

The Survey is completed online at www.arenasurvey.com  and must be finalised before the Friday 25 June deadline.

Peter Dixon, Chief Executive of Phoenix Natural Gas and Chair of ARENA Network, the environmental arm of Business in the Community, believes; “This Survey is proving, year on year, to be a catalyst for challenging, engaging and inspiring organisations to take environmental behaviour seriously. And with tangible bottom line benefits, business cannot afford to neglect environmental issues as part of key business planning.

“Last year 139 organisations from 15 different sectors took part. Nine organisations achieved platinum status, scoring 90% or more in the Survey and 23 new participants took part. This year, ARENA Network is seeking environmentally conscious companies to once again stand up and be counted.”

John McMillen, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, said: “The Agency is both a sponsor and a participant in the Survey and I am delighted that we are integral in helping to champion the need for business to act responsibly with the environment.                                   

“We believe that environmental responsibility makes good business sense and should not simply be a response to compliance with regulation. The Survey is important in driving companies forward on environmental issues.”

Roy Adair, Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, said; “As long-term supporters of ARENA Network, we are once again delighted to sponsor the survey.

“Belfast Harbour’s approach to environmental sustainability is to put it at the heart of our operations and we continue to use corporate social responsibility to help tackle many issues including climate change.

“We have worked hard to become a carbon neutral port authority and believe that our support of this Survey demonstrates responsible leadership as we illustrate what can be achieved by taking these important matters seriously. We keenly anticipate that the results this year will reinforce environmental action as a key business issue.”

For more information, click online at www.arenani.org.uk . For more information on Business in the Community, visit www.bitcni.org.uk .