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05/11/2020

From Lofty Ambition to Lived Dream - Our Sustainability Story

Croke Park Meetings & Events has launched From Lofty Ambition to Lived Dream: Our Sustainability Story, an eBook detailing the story of how Croke Park, one of Europe’s largest stadiums, became a sustainable venue. 
 
During the recent pause in business-as-usual, the Croke Park Meetings & Events team took stock of the stadiums journey from green goals to sustainability success and developed an insightful ebook to share with others starting out on their sustainability journey. 
 
This story started in 2007 when it was realised Croke Park had an important part to play in managing the impact their events can have on the natural world, and influencing others to do the same.  Some highlights. 
 
  • 100% of stadium waste is recycled, reused, or recovered as solid fuel - 0% is sent to landfill.
  • The stadium sustainability programme has led to a reduction of almost 75% in their carbon emissions.
  • First stadium in the world to be certified to the newest international Environmental Standard, ISO 14001.
  • Grows own turf for pitch maintenance which reduces carbon emissions associated with importation - farm also features hives for honey production and a kitchen garden.
  • Menus feature over 85% local, regional, and own produce.
“The ebook is a reminder of the shared purpose, pride and ambition that has been build through and around the Croke Park sustainability programme.  This story goes from a time when our only green space was the pitch to now having a diverse biodiversity programme going from the Croke Park farm to the stadium and right into our kitchens” said Míde Ní Shúilleabháin, Croke Park Sustainability Officer.

“Dublin’s credentials as a Top 20 sustainable destination have been recognised by the Global Sustainable Destination Index (Dublin was placed 11th in the world in 2019). This ranking helps corporations and associations who value sustainability to select our city for their meetings and events in the knowledge that we’re fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and that we score high across 69 distinct metrics. We can achieve this distinction because we have venues like Croke Park whose legacy as a sustainable venue is without parallel as part of our destination infrastructure”, said Sam Johnson, Manager, Dublin Convention Bureau.

“When it comes to sustainability, Croke Park is up there amongst the global innovators. This document highlights a shift from sustainability to regenerative thinking, and this is the future. I salute the entire team at the stadium for their commitment and vision”, said Guy Bigwood, FIEMA, Chief Changemaker at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement.


Read more about Sustainability at Croke Park Meetings & Events or download Lofty Ambition to Lived Dream: Our Sustainability Story below. 

DOWNLOAD OUR SUSTAINABILITY STORY EBOOK
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