Wildacres, the nature reserve, honey farm and biodiversity education experience located near Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow has emerged as the overall winner at the Green Awards 2025, held at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, in Dublin.
The environmental social enterprise, founded by Brian O’Toole and Gilly Taylor in 2017, was recognised for its outstanding commitment to preserving and restoring native biodiversity while educating and inspiring others to follow suit.
Upon receiving the award, Brian O’Toole expressed his gratitude. “Big thanks to the title sponsor Bord na Móna and to the Green Awards for a fantastic night. It was great to see biodiversity restoration highlighted on such a big stage, and to meet with wonderful people who are passionate about our precious environment.”
The 17th annual Green Awards ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Reagan, celebrated the achievements of Irish businesses in sustainability and environmental stewardship. With 140 companies submitting 280 entries competing across 29 categories, the event attracted 755 attendees from across the sustainability sector.
Among the night’s multiple winners was pharmaceutical company Astellas, which received three awards for its €330 million facility under development in Tralee.
The innovative buildings at Kerry Technology Park will reduce environmental impact by cutting water use by approximately half, reducing operational energy intensity by more than one-third, and producing zero waste to landfill. The facility will also incorporate onsite renewable technology including solar PV panels and a biomass boiler.
Padraig Ryan, judging coordinator, noted the remarkable progress in sustainability practices over the past decade. “Over the last ten years the bar has been raised so high that each submission has a unique story to tell and has some exemplar practices,” he said. “It has become more difficult to differentiate the submissions as the Irish economy is really embracing sustainability. Hopefully, this progressive trend will continue for years to come.”
Since their inception in 2008, the Green Awards have provided a platform for recognising outstanding sustainability efforts by Irish businesses, highlighting companies excelling in environmental innovation and leadership.
Sharon Doyle, chief people and communications officer at Bord na Móna, stated: “We are proud to sponsor the Green Awards for the fourth year, as they align with our vision for a climate-neutral Ireland by 2050. It is inspiring to see so many Irish businesses pushing boundaries for a sustainable future. We’re excited to support this journey and celebrate the innovation that’s driving real change.”
Maria Kelly, director, commented that Skillnet Climate Ready Academy was delighted to be impact ambassador for the Green Awards 2025. “Collaborative learning is at the core of the Academy, and these awards offer the opportunity to come together and celebrate our successes, creating momentum to lead and drive transformative change for a better future,” she said.
Ali Sheridan, chair of the Just Transition Commission of Ireland, was recipient of the green leader award. “Recognition is never ever about one person. It is about the collective work of so many – citizens, activists, communities, companies – the rapidly growing number of us who refuse to accept that a better future is out of reach,” she stated. “Well done to all those recognised and all those who continue to push for fairer and faster action.”
Tracey McDermott, head of quality, technical and sustainability at award winner Tesco Ireland, commented: “We’re proud to have been awarded Green Retailer of the Year 2025, as we continue to serve our customers, communities, and planet a little better every day. We are thrilled to be part of an event that celebrates companies making significant strides in sustainability, recognising their efforts and leadership in driving environmental progress.”
Nichola Cooke, country sales manager at awards platinum sponsor Vamat, said the company has installed over 100MWh of Huawei batteries across Europe. “The companies attending the awards have an important role in understanding Ireland’s clean energy transition. The Green Awards 2025 have been a perfect opportunity to present Vamat into the Irish market.”
Judging coordinator Terri Morrissey commented that the large number of awards entries “is testament to the growing awareness and work being done by businesses in helping to deal with the need for action on the climate and ecological crisis”.
Gavin White, head of group marketing at awards finalist Invica Industries, noted that sustainable transformation in industrial solutions is no longer a choice but a responsibility. “The shift towards greener technologies is driving innovation, efficiency, and long-term resilience, ensuring industries can thrive while reducing their environmental impact,” he explained.
Louise Tsang, sales and marketing manager at DGD Shredding, said the firm was thrilled to be a finalist. “Sustainability is central to everything we do, and we’re proud to be recognised for our commitment to the environment and a greener future.”
Croke Park Stadium won two awards, including the award in the green tourism and entertainment category. “These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said a spokesperson.
Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at Business River, the awards organiser, noted that the event was made possible through the support of sponsors and supporters. “Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment to Ireland’s sustainability journey,” he said.
Awards judges
- Padraig Ryan - partner, Grant Thornton Ireland
- Terri Morrissey - chair, This Is
- Daragh Anglim - head of Impact, Broadlake
- Jan Peter Bergkvist - sustainability advisor and owner, SleepWell AB
- Jean Callanan - chief executive, Momenta Hub
- Martin Charter - director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, University for the Creative Arts
- John Cunniffe - director, G4S FM Ireland
- David Feighery - sustainability associate, Cundall
- Tanya Fitzgerald - enterprise liaison officer, UCC
- Supriya Foster - sustainability officer, South West College
- Laura Heuston - co-founder, Sustainability Works
- Nicholas Holden - professor of Biosystems Engineering, University College Dublin
- Kevin Maughan - founder, Urban Volt
- Ankita Nalavade - principal of Sustainability and Resilience Standards and Visiting Assistant Professor, Port Authority of New York New Jersey, and Pratt Institute
- Elaine Neill - head of Sustainability & Innovation, Gilfresh Produce Ltd
- Kathleen O’Regan - senior executive, Sustainability Solutions Department, Enterprise Ireland
- Ian Phillips - director, Anua Clean Air International
- Susan Rossney - sustainability manager, Chartered Accountants Ireland
- John Sweeney - emeritus professor, Maynooth University
- Rosie Webb - head of Decarbonisation, TU Dublin
- Declan White - regional director, Veolia
- Sian Young - director of Sustainable Business, Britvic Ireland
- Katherine Valery - senior sustainability, Jacobs Eng
Green Awards winners
Green business of the year (sponsored by Bord na Mona)
Winner: Wildacres
Green large organisation of the year (1000+ Employees) (sponsored by ESB’s Smart Energy Services)
Winner: AbbVie
Green large organisation of the year
Winner: Astellas Kerry
Green medium sized organisation of the year
Winner: Croke Park Stadium
Green small organisation of the year (sponsored by SKillnet Climate Ready Academy)
Winner: FuturEnergy Ireland
The green retailer award (sponsored by Vamat)
Winner: Tesco Ireland
The green manufacturer award (sponsored by Enterprise Ireland)
Winner: Diageo
The green lifesciences award (sponsored by Veolia)
Winner: Astellas Kerry
Green public sector organisation of the year
Winner: An Post
The green logistics & transport company award (sponsored by Greenvolt Next)
Winner: DPD Ireland
The green food & beverage award (sponsored by Calor)
Winner: Diageo
The green construction award (sponsored by Pat O Donnell & Co.)
Winner: John Paul Construction
The green financial & professional services award
Winner: AIB
The green ICT, media & telecommunications award
Winner: Vodafone Ireland
The green tourism and entertainment award
Winner: Croke Park Stadium
Sustainability team of the year (1000+ Employees) (sponsored by SKillnet Climate Ready Academy)
Winner: Compass Ireland - Green Team
Sustainability team of the year
Winner: Astellas Kerry
The ESG best performer of the year (1000+ Employees) (sponsored by Davy Horizons, Davy Group)
Winner: Grant Thornton
The ESG best performer of the year ( sponsored by Davy Horizons, Davy Group)
Winner: Gas Networks Ireland
The excellence in waste management award (sponsored by Panda)
Winner: The Q Cafe Company
The sustainable water achievement award (sponsored by Uisce Éireann)
Winner: ABP Food Group
The sustainable energy achievement award (sponsored by Energia Group)
Winner: Astellas Kerry - Drive for Onsite Renewable Energy
The green transformation award (sponsored by Bord na Mona)
Winner: Cairn
The green transformation award (500+ Employees) (sponsored by Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet)
Winner: Hollister - SRF Waste Process Transformation
The green energy provider award (sponsored by Vamat)
Winner: Activ8 Solar Energies
The green technology award
Winner: Easydry
The green collaboration award (sponsored by Uisce Éireann)
Winner: Hollister & Bourke Waste
Green micro enterprise of the year
Winner: Wildacres
Green leader (sponsored by Bord na Mona)
Winner: Ali Sheridan
