44 schools from across County Limerick have received the prestigious ‘Green Flag Award’ at the An Taisce Green Schools Awards ceremony. Green-Schools, known internationally as Eco-Schools, is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme which promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment. It is promoted nationally by An Taisce in tandem with local authorities.
Schools from Limerick, Clare, Cork and Tipperary were represented at the ceremony. Nine County Limerick schools received their 1st Green Flag for Litter and Waste and a further thirty five schools successfully renewed flags for the Energy, Water, Travel and Biodiversity themes in the programme.
Helen Keays, assistant staff officer, Environment Section, Limerick County Council, comments: “The programme is a practical seven step process that allows schools to help the environment across a variety of themes. It empowers young people to act positively on behalf of the environment and uses peer modelling and role modelling to assist with improving environmental behaviour. Implementing the Green Schools Programme normally results in costs savings for the school on waste, water and energy bills.”