The CCD’s Sustainable Philosophy

The CCD doesn’t flaunt its green credentials ‘just for the craic’! The management team is committed to long-term sustainability and is proud of the fact that, despite an increase in events, The CCD’s use of gas, electricity and water has been on a downward trend since it opened. Having achieved ISO 14001 accreditation just one year after opening, they strive to maintain and improve The CCD's eco-friendly record, aiming to set a new benchmark within the industry.

So how does The CCD put this sustainable philosophy into practice on a day-to day basis?

A more environmentally-aware culture is developed by making staff, service providers, customers and suppliers aware of relevant issues and providing advice on sustainable practice. Clients are advised to ‘Think Green’ while planning and hosting events and environmentally-aware suppliers and sub-contractors are used wherever possible.

Water usage is reduced by the use of sensor taps in all hand basins, sensor flushes in all urinals and dual-flushes on all toilets. In the kitchens, highly efficient Salvajor dishwasher units are used for their hot pre-wash function and water is recycled throughout the day. The CCD also installed an ionisation system in 2017, which eliminates bacteria in mains water as it enters the building.

Waste is avoided and reduced via a comprehensive waste management policy that manages the generation and segregation of waste, and industry-leading recycling procedures ensure recycling figures are consistently above 95%.

• Custom-built recycle friendly bins encourage delegates to dispose of their waste in an environmentally-responsible manner.
  
  
• In the kitchens, grease traps rather than chemicals are used to break down all fats, oils and grease. This fatty waste can then be used in composting.
  
  
• Paper is recycled wherever possible and paper usage is kept to a minimum via company-wide initiatives such as double-sided, black-and-white printing, limiting paper communications and issuing digital payslips. Clients are encouraged to use an app for conference information or put it online rather than printing conference packs, and they can also view The CCD’s 122-page Rules & Regulations document online.
  
  
• Clients are encouraged to use The CCD’s digital signage system free of charge to promote their event and schedules rather than using physical signage.
  
  

Energy efficiency is maximised by constant monitoring of the building Management System to identify potential efficiency improvements. The CCD uses a sustainable energy supplier and green or sustainable systems such as its Integrated Building Automated System (IBAS), its thermal wheel heat recovery system and an Ice Storage Thermal Unit (ISTU). A Building Energy Ratings Exercise showed that The CCD is 40% below the below the expected industry value for a typical building of this type.

The Energy Tracked system is an energy management software package that allows The CCD team to measure, monitor and analyse The CCD’s energy usage, carbon emissions and expenses across all utilities.

• The building design that makes use of natural light in all foyer spaces and small meeting rooms, reducing the need for artificial light. Most meeting spaces are fitted with motion sensors that automatically turn off lights when rooms are empty and The CCD’s Digital Addressable Lighting Interface system allows the lighting in each space to be controlled individually. All exterior lights use energy-saving LED bulbs, but The CCD team are keen to improve further. An initiative is currently underway to install more LED lights inside the building, which should eventually achieve 189 tonnes of C02 emissions savings, and The CCD is in receipt of a lighting support scheme grant for the initiative from the Sustainable Energy Authority, Ireland.
  
  
• There is an automatically activated sleep-mode for all PCs and equipment in the office and the KONE e-link facilities management tool enables monitoring of the elevators and escalators to ensure maximum efficiency.
  
  
• The ionisation system results in reduced operating temperatures of the calorifiers, saving on gas consumption.

Emissions are reduced by reducing energy use, actively minimising the use of chemicals and pollutants to improve indoor air quality, and encouraging the use of public transport. Employees are offered a “Cycle to Work” scheme and tax saver tickets for public transport. The vast majority of food is sourced locally, reducing the ‘food miles’ of dishes served at The CCD.

Environmental impact of consumables and processes is reduced by considering environmental best practice in all new projects and refurbishment and, during purchasing, giving preference to products and services with minimal or beneficial impact on the environment.

The CCD has moved away from the use of oil-based paints, using water-based paints instead. CCD Hospitality only use eco-friendly products, including 100% recycled napkins and wooden stir sticks, and all disposable coffee cups are broken down to SRF waste which can then be used as an alternative fuel in highly carbon-efficient cement kilns. CCD Cleaning use reusable micro-fibre cloths and mops made from recyclable materials that are laundered on site, as well as recycled paper products, re-fillable soap dispensers and biodegradable bags.

Green and ethical initiatives are supported in many ways, including a Fairtrade-only purchasing policy for all chocolate, tea and coffee supplies.

The quest for improvement is continual. The CCD has explored solar energy, but decided after detailed assessments not to proceed for the time being. Other current initiatives include a plan to identify the Top 20 highest energy users, which has produced recommendations that should save 107 tons of C02 and an Energy Awareness Campaign due for launch in November. This campaign is aimed at staff and aims to promote more responsible energy usage in the workplace.

There are eight dedicated spaces in The CCD’s on-site car park for people with a disabled person’s parking card or equivalent international parking pass, and the car park has a lift which accesses all floors. The CCD main entrance has a drop-off point directly outside and it is accessible via a ramp. There’s also lift access to all levels, and all meeting spaces are wheelchair accessible. The Auditorium has 20 dedicated wheelchair user spaces, each with at least one companion seat next door. The CCD also wheelchairs that can be booked for hire. Toilets for people with disabilities are provided on every floor and limited mobility refuges are located throughout the venue in the event of an emergency.

Assistance Dogs are welcomed in all parts of the venue and even get a water bowl if requested! To make things easier for visually-impaired delegates, all rooms, halls and toilets are signposted in large print and Braille and lifts have Braille buttons. There is also a Describer system in certain meeting rooms and The Forum, The Liffey and The Auditorium. All meeting and conference spaces in the venue have an induction loop system and/or a two-channel infra-red radiator system to assist those with hearing difficulties, with stethoscopes and neck-worn induction loops available to borrow free of charge.

Of course, The CCD team know that facilities and meeting spaces, however splendid, aren’t all that delegates and organisers look for. They also want to be well-fed! The CCD offer a wide choice of menus from traditional Irish dishes to international cuisine, all carefully prepared by some of Ireland’s finest chefs and served by the attentive CCD Hospitality team. Whether what’s required is a small dinner for ten or a banquet for 3000, the professional staff can deliver.

The CCD team also know how to look after their staff and one of this year’s initiatives was to introduce a holistic approach to employee wellbeing, including a more flexible work/life balance and flexible working environment. They have implemented a number of measures including a well-being day, flexible working hours and ICT facilitation of working from home.