Arklow CU and their SDG journey
Community
2
min read
12 Nov 2024
In July of 2023, 44 solar panels were fitted to the roof of Arklow’s head office. The main objectives for undertaking this installation, alongside reducing their carbon footprint were:
The solar panels will deliver 27,440kWh per annum of energy and cover 65% of the daytime energy usage. It is estimated the minimum savings in energy costs will be approx. €8,342p.a (based on usage prior to solar panel installation).
Bringing the SDGs into everyday work
One of the actions already completed under the Climate Pillar was to identify how their waste disposal process could be improved. All individual waste bins have been removed from staff desks and offices and replaced with a set of segregated waste bins which included – recycling, compost, and general waste. This has led to an overall reduction in waste going to landfill from their branches.
Start simple
Arklow Credit Union have found that that the ESG journey and their sustainable development goals did not have to be complicated or difficult. Once they identified their achievable ESG objectives and segregated them into manageable parts to be delivered over a 12-month timeline, the objectives became clear and deliverable. In sharing the goals & objectives it is simple to bring the entire team & members on the ESG journey.
During their next SDG session, a local beekeeper has been invited in to educate the staff on biodiversity which falls under Pillar 1 – ‘Climate’, so eyes peeled for what gets planned after that chat!