The Ecology Foundation - The Company Cycle Programme

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your skills in the emerging technologies and business opportunities that are coming about as business prepares and changes for a carbon-constrained world? New ways to source energy. New technolgies. New business models.

This is the work of The Ecology Foundation every day. We are working with business to help make the adjustment to new ways of doing things; and to doing new things. We conceive the ideas; we develop the business plans; we create the partnerships and consortiums that can bring them to life.

Do you want to be a part of this? Do you see yourself as one of Ireland's leaders in this drive to a new way of doing things? Do you want to learn how to become one of these leaders. Do you want to be given the opportunity to lead one of these projects?

If this is you, then you need to talk to us. Now!

To have a chat with our team, then send us an email telling us about yourself, what you've done so far and why you think that you have the potential to lead one of our projects.

Send your email to newleaders@theecologyfoundation.org

20th February 2010. irishtimes.com - Ordinary, everyday dust is emerging as an important environmental issue. It has the capacity to diminish climate change but may also have unexpected negative health and environmental impacts. Read more...

18th February, 2010. newenergyfinance.com - Russia's economy needs fundamental reform to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday. Read more...

15th February, 2010. guardian.co.uk - An Australian government scheme to promote loft insulation is backfiring on the country's environment minister, former Midnight Oil singer Peter Loft insulation: Australia's burning issue

An Australian government scheme to promote loft insulation is backfiring on the country's environment minister, former Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett

Vantage Point

The Company Cycle Programme

Click here for more info

> How the programme works

> Why would someone choose to cycle?

> Note on tax exemption in Finance Act

There has never been a better time to implement The Ecology Foundation’s Company Cycle Programme.

The Finance Act 2008 introduced tax exemptions for the purchase of employees’ bicycles for commuting (more information).

The announcement of a range of other measures* related to reducing car

use in city centres means that employees will most likely be enthusiastic to avail of the scheme as soon as possible.
Since early 2008 The Ecology Foundation, supported by SEI, has been running a one-stop-shop programme to help companies who want to facilitate their employees cycling – either as a commuting solution and/or as a means of doing short-distance business trips.

The scheme is free and integrates the following components :

• Promotion of cycling to your staff -
  A presentation on all aspects of cycling as a daily activity including health benefits.
  We will display our range of bikes and advise on what suits each individual.
• Discounted bicycles & accessories -
  We can install a compact display of bikes at your premises for 1 or more days.
  Your staff buy from the range (or the company can).
• Road Safety Workshop -
  With a classroom and outdoor element; given by City Council certified Road Safety trainers.
• Maintenance Workshop -
  A fun interactive workshop to empower cyclists to solve any problems relating to their bicycles.
• Paperwork Prepared -
  Template for standard agreement between employer and employee for Cycle to Work Scheme & Salary Sacrifice (SS).
  Internal promotion poster. SS Tracker spreadsheet.

Our scheme aims to minimise any work input on the part of your company.
Over the last 10 months we have implemented the scheme in 22 institutions including AIB, Department of Environment, An Bord Pleanála, ESBI, CPL, Mater Hospital, St. James' Hospital, Bearing Point, ESB and South Dublin County Council.

So, sign up soon so that your employees will be able to avail of the tax exemption. Depending on your admin resources we recommend you open one window for employees to avail of this in order to minimise the administrative workload. Once you decide to implement the Programme we will discuss the exact needs of your organisation, tailor the scheme appropriately and set-up a schedule for what we need to do.

* Other measures in the Finance Bill affecting commuters:
€200 annual levy on city workers’ car parking spaces;
A tax of 8 cents/litre added to cost of petrol;
Higher motor tax charges based on CO2 emissions.

Kindly Supported by

The Company Bicycle Programme also aims to cultivate practical awareness of climate change and energy issues within companies by encouraging more sustainable choices.