Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
2011 - 2015
KEY OBJECTIVES IN THE STRATEGY
1 Waste Prevention Awareness
2 Anti-Litter Awareness
3 Water Conservation & Water Pollution
4 Climate Change & Biodiversity
5 General Education and Awareness
6 Research
7 Appendix
Contents
All photographs provided by Dr. M. Stack and Council staff.
Environmental Awareness Strategy 2011-2015 1
Introduction
The Environmental Awareness Strategy aspires to promote environmental awareness in all
societies throughout all regions of Cork County.
It desires to increase environmental knowledge in the general public, and will specically target
businesses, industry, educators, youth, community groups, and NGOs.
An increase in environmental awareness can be achieved through a range of communications and
by supporting community actions and behavioural change programmes. Ultimately these actions
will drive our society towards an ecologically sustainable life style and sustainable work practices.
The ve year strategy (2011-2015) outlines key areas of waste prevention, litter pollution, water
conservation & pollution, biodiversity and climate change issues that require integration into
education programmes.
Many of the objectives proposed in the Environmental Awareness Strategy work in harmony with
other Council policies and plans. The strategy is driven by the Councils priorities as identied in
the strategic and corporate plan, the Environment Directorates Operational Plan and the Waste
Management/ Litter Plans and Climate Change Strategy.
Successful implementation will bring a positive relationship between local government and civil
society, a collective responsibility for our environment and an ethic of partnership building.
Citizens will be environmentally educated, aware and conscious. People will care for and protect
their environment.
Environmental quality will improve in terms of air, water and land.
The strategy is a guide to the general public on key environmental awareness issues being
promoted in Cork County and areas for their participation. It is intended for internal use by
Council staff and its networking partners.
The Environmental Awareness & Research Unit will lead the implementation of this strategy.
KEY OBJECTIVES IN THE STRATEGY
1 Waste Prevention Awareness
2 Anti-Litter Awareness
3 Water Conservation & Water Pollution
4 Climate Change & Biodiversity
5 General Education and Awareness
6 Research
7 Appendix
Waste Prevention
Awareness Objectives
1
Cork Co. Council promotes waste prevention across its own organisation and advises communities
and businesses on how to conserve resources and reduce negative impacts on the environment.
The Council advocates waste minimisation and seeks to eliminate waste before it is produced in
the rst instance. A primary aim is waste reduction at source followed by reuse, recycling,
treatment and appropriate safe disposal.
In an effort to reduce the amount of waste going to landll, an extensive recycling programme is
in place in the County, ranging from kerbside collections to public recycling centres and bottle
banks. Guidance on how to reduce and manage household & commercial waste is supported via
the activities of the Environmental Awareness & Research Unit and by accessing publicly
available information on the Councils web site www.corkcoco.ie.
Cork County Council is a participant in the national waste prevention programme. This is achieved
through membership of the Environmental Protection Agencys Local Authority Prevention Network
(LAPN) programme. The Environmental Awareness Unit & Research Unit [Inniscarra] leads the
network programme in Cork County. Examples of successful case studies in waste prevention are
published on a number of web sites. (See appendix 1 and free to download). In addition, the
Council published its own guide for householders on a guide to managing your household waste
and domestic water usage in 2010. Visit www.corkcoco.ie to download a free copy.
Primary environmental awareness objectives in waste prevention.
Issue To assist with the implementation of EU & National policies on the reduction
of waste to landll, the Council will continue to promote and support
Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle programmes in all sectors. In addition, the
Council will develop waste prevention initiatives and incorporate these
initiatives into the above programmes.
Target Groups Domestic householders, Businesses, Schools,
Community groups and NGOs, Council staff.
Strategy Objectives
F
Support the education of our children on antilitter initiatives via the Green
Schools programme.
F
Encourage day trippers to beaches & parks & public places to take their
rubbish home and their participation in non government organisation
programmes i.e. Leave no Trace & Clean Coast.
F
Increase the publics awareness of the problems associated with pet fouling.
F
Support the Green Hospitality Programme for Hotels & Catering sectors.
F
Reduce CO
2
emissions from Council owned public buildings and promote
the use of renewable energy sources.
F
Reduce CO
2
emissions arising from the provisions of public services i.e.
water and waste water treatment facilities, through green procurement.
F
Regular interaction with community groups and other relevant stakeholders to promote
local environmental projects and local initiatives. Mobilise and build on learners knowledge
and competencies.
F
Offer nancial support via grants schemes for projects / initiatives that raise community
awareness and that promote a positive benet on their local environment.
F
Develop & disseminate educational materials and facts sheets for water protection, waste
prevention, litter, climate change and biodiversity.
F
Support environmental talks & information seminars that target the general public
and businesses.
F
Sponsor such events & programmes that will increase waste minimisation,
water & energy conservation.
F
The research will promote environmental studies that seek to protect and
enhance the natural environment.
F