Munster Rugby has been shortlisted in the new “Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport” category at the 2026 Federation of Irish Sport Industry Awards, taking place at the College Green Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday 19 May.
Now in its ninth year, the Irish Sport Industry Awards recognise excellence across the Irish sporting sector. The 2026 edition introduces two new categories – sustainability and disability inclusion – reflecting the growing importance of environmental responsibility and accessibility in sport. Munster Rugby’s submission, “A Different Approach to Impact”, has been shortlisted in the sustainability category, sponsored by MyWaste.ie.
It is a strong field. Munster line out alongside Golf Ireland’s Drive The Green strategy supporting clubs nationwide, the GAA’s Green Club Programme – whose leadership has been shared right across the industry – and Clare Local Development Company, whose LEADER, SICAP and rural recreation work is investing in community spaces for physical activity in Co. Clare. Congratulations to nominees across all categories.
Munster looks forward to coming together with leaders from across the sector on the night.
Philip Quinn, Munster Rugby COO said:
“It’s a real honour for Munster to be shortlisted alongside national governing bodies and local regional leaders who are driving sustainability across Irish sport. Like any long-term game, this journey has its challenges – but we remain committed to playing our part at a local, regional, national and international level, and to advocating for sustainability to be embedded in how sport organisations operate. Recognition like this strengthens our resolve to keep going, and is a testament to the great work being done by staff across departments, our partners and our supporters.”
Laura Lahiff, Munster Rugby Sustainability Lead said:
“Community, young people, role models, pride in where you’re from – these aren’t sustainability talking points. They’re why people show up on a Saturday. That’s the platform sport gives us, and it’s one worth using well.
“We’ve taken a slightly different approach at Munster – using that platform to invite others into the journey rather than just talking about it. Like sport itself, it gets stronger season on season when more people get involved. We’re learning all the time.
“To be shortlisted alongside Golf Ireland, the GAA and Clare LDC is brilliant. There’s great work happening right across sport now, and the more we share it and learn from each other, the stronger we all get.”
A Team Approach To Sustainability
Munster Rugby treats sustainability as a mindset slowly embedding across the club – shaped by the identity, language and journey of sport itself: a long-term game of setbacks, comebacks and continuous improvement, with staff, players, supporters, volunteers and partners all on the team.
Munster was the first rugby club globally to publish a full Scopes 1-3 carbon footprint, and was recognised at the 2025 Sport Positive Awards for innovative, transparent and emotive sustainability reporting. Around 80% of the club’s fleet has transitioned to EVs, and the Cork Centre of Excellence – powered by 644 solar panels on Virgin Media Park’s roof – earned a Best Climate Resilience Award in 2025.
Behaviour change runs alongside operational change: water refill stations and reusable bottles for players and staff, reusable beer cups trialled at Thomond Park, and supporter marches to matches. Munster has been appointed SDG Champions by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and sustainability is being actively embedded into partnerships, activations and facilities – with contributions to national ESG summits and industry conversations throughout.
Internationally, Munster works actively through the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, leading sessions at the 2025 AGM and sharing insights at global forums.
Sustainability, like rugby, is a team effort – on and off the pitch. Munster Rugby is proud to see that approach recognised on the national stage.
Read more about 2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards – Finalists here or Munster Rugby’s sustainability journey here.