Irish sustainability training provider Fifty Shades Greener has announced the launch of LeafMark, a new sustainability accreditation programme targeting carbon intensive sectors.
Fifty Shades Greener made the announcement as it revealed that it helped Irish businesses save more than €2 million in energy costs during 2025 through workplace sustainability training.
‘A key driver’
“Without a doubt, sustainability has become a key driver of consumer purchasing decisions,” commented Raquel Noboa (pictured), who founded Fifty Shades Greener in 2017. “The problem is that genuine choice remains scarce. Very few providers involve their teams in their sustainability journey, and many don’t realise what they stand to gain by empowering their employees with green skills.
“Through accreditation and training, providers can achieve significant savings on energy costs, which is particularly compelling given today’s uncertain economy. But the benefits extend well beyond the bottom line; LeafMark enables businesses to build a culture where knowledge, awareness, and action sit at the heart of how an organisation operates.”
Last year, the Co Clare-based company partnered with more than 30 businesses, including the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Clayton Hotel Galway, Highfield Healthcare, and Climb Channel Solutions, saving each business €66,000 in energy costs, on average. That equates to more than a quarter (27%) off the energy bill of said businesses.
Building on that success, Fifty Shades Greener has seen a 25% increase in its customer base in the first quarter of this year, which led it to develop the LeafMark sustainability certification programme.
How it works
The certification process is based around a three-tier structure – organisations that have achieved one ‘leaf’ have established the foundations of a sustainability-focused culture through awareness and training initiatives, while recipients of two leaves indicates that an organisation has moved beyond awareness to practical action.
The highest certification, three leaves, acknowledged organisations that are ‘leading the way’ on sustainability, and have integrated sustainability considerations across decision-making and business strategy.
The first Irish organisations to achieve the highest accreditation level are Dublin-based Mespil Hotel and Highfield Healthcare. As Fifty Shades Greener noted, both organisations have been ‘rewarded for integrating sustainability into […] strategy, culture and everyday decisions.’
“The fact of the matter is that sustainability is a win-win for everyone involved. It not only gives organisations a competitive advantage, but it also drives real cost savings,” Noboa added. “Eco-conscious consumers get exactly what they are looking for and perhaps, most importantly, the planet doesn’t pay the price.” Read more here.
