Sustainability & Environment
For generations to come
Environment policy
Since our foundation in 1927, ESB has provided an essential service that has greatly improved national living standards.
We are committed to further enhancing Irish quality of life by continuing to provide safe, secure and competitive energy services with due regard to protecting the natural environment.
We recognise that we must operate within certain technical and financial restraints. Yet, while we must always prudently balance the costs and benefits of environmental protection, we can affirm that our concern for it transcends our legal obligations.
Our aims
We aim to:
- Conduct our core activities and those of our subsidiary companies in an environmentally responsible manner
- Be at the forefront of environmental stewardship within Ireland
- Continue to care for the environment while providing for the generation, transmission and distribution of power for the electrical needs of the nation
Furthermore, we undertake to commit the resources necessary to maintain and develop a high standard of environmental management system.
Our consideration of environmental concerns will form an integral part of all policy development and planning. In so doing, we will maintain a high level of expertise in environmental science and technology.
We will actively promote environmental awareness among our staff through appropriate communication and training programmes.
We will address environmental issues in an open manner within the community, and will maintain close liaison with relevant authorities, regulatory agencies, research institutes and environmental organisations.
What we give back
It is a specific ESB policy to 'contribute to the preservation of the environment' and to 'maintain and implement policies which protect the environment'.
We have carried out this policy by ensuring the effective design and careful location of our electricity production plants, and have worked to restore the environment by various activities, including:
- Restocking rivers with salmon, trout and eels - the ESB hatcheries are now Ireland's largest by far, launching one and a half million fingerlings and smolts into Irish rivers last year
- Providing amenities at our hydro-schemes
- Re-forestation and landscaping
In these and many other ways, at every level of our operation, we strive to protect the environment and to make our green island a better place to live.
Find out more in our Sustainability Charter.