Organisations earn UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man accreditation

Organisations that attended training to help them become more sustainable have been rewarded with a UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man accreditation.

The 14 organisations – Breeze Candles, Celton Manx Ltd, Christian Aid, Dry Planet Ltd, Hartford Homes, IFGL, Isle of Man Post Office, Lloyds Bank, Manx Telecom, Manx Utilities, Moootals Ltd, Riela Group, Rtekk Holdings Ltd/MuchBetter and Solo Ecoconscious Food – attended all six Sustainable Mann workshops in September and October 2022.

The business workshops were run by UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, working with the Department for Enterprise, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, Net Zero Isle of Man, University College Isle of Man and the One World Centre.

Topics included starting and growing a sustainable business, energy use, climate change mitigation, dealing with waste, adopting a circular economy approach and helping nature and wildlife.

Encouraging sustainable development is one of the main functions of UNESCO Biospheres globally. Educating people about sustainable practices is also an aim of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man’s local strategy, Working Together for a Sustainable Future.

Dr Michelle Haywood MHK, Member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, today presented the organisations with Sustainable Mann certificates.

The recipients can use the accreditation in their reporting, marketing and promotion.

Dr Haywood said: ‘The workshops were fully subscribed and more than 30 organisations benefited from the training all together. We have had excellent feedback.

‘I congratulate those that attended all six sessions to earn the Sustainable Mann accreditation and thank them for giving up their valuable time to learn from expert trainers from the public and private sector.

‘They will take their learning back to share with their boards and colleagues to implement as we all work together for a more sustainable future.’

Workshops will be repeated in autumn 2023 and information will be announced in summer 2023.

A complementary ‘Sustainable Mann’ toolkit can be downloaded from the ‘Resources’ section of the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man website and used free of charge.