ROME/NEW YORK, JUNE 16 – The United Nations Global Compact named Giulia Giuffrè, Board Member and Sustainability Ambassador of the Sicilian company Irritec, “as 2021 SDG Pioneer for Sustainable Water Management.” Last December, Giuffrè had already received a recognition as Italy’s 2020 SDG Pioneer (a national award). Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Capo d’Orlando (Messina), Irritec is among the world’s leading companies in the field of precision irrigation.
SDG Pioneers are business leaders selected by the UN Global Compact for contributing to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the implementation of the UN Global Compact Ten Principles on human rights, environment, labor and anti-corruption. This year’s global search focused on professionals active at any level in a company participating in the UN Global Compact. The ten selected winners came from every continent.
The Global Compact recognized Giulia Giuffrè’s first-hand commitment in sustainable water management and for the integration of the SDGs as a highly strategic business element. Irritec mission is to improve the efficiency of irrigation, to reduce the environmental impact, to optimize the use of water, energy, fertilizers and pesticides. An important project, personally coordinated by Giuffrè, is the Agri-Lab, a “traveling laboratory” designed for emerging countries, which aims at promoting the culture of water saving in agriculture. In addition to this, Giuffrè is particularly committed to the issues regarding female entrepreneurship: since 2020 she has been part of the “Donne dell’Ortofrutta” association and she received the “DonnaAttiva2020” award in Palermo for her “ability to combine work ethic and solid family traditions with technological innovations as a driving force for development of the whole territory and a co-promoter of social well-being”.
“Business has a critical role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at a time when progress has been set back by the Covid-19 pandemic. These ten exceptional professionals show exactly what can be done by business to make a difference that not only serves shareholders but also society at large. I hope our ten 2021 SDG Pioneers will also inspire others to join them in uniting business for a better world,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.
“We are pleased that such an important and prestigious recognition for the world of corporate sustainability has been awarded to an Italian entrepreneur, with a strong sensitivity for ethical and innovative business, active in a land that still has much need to explore all the opportunities related to sustainable development. Giulia Giuffrè’s success demonstrates that, when faced with true excellence, the gender gap can only be eliminated, and this gives us confidence for the future,” said Daniela Bernacchi, Secretary General of the UN Global Compact Network of Italy.
Thanking the Global Compact for the recognition, Giulia Giuffrè emphasized the role of Irritec: “We work alongside farmers around the world to spread the culture of water efficiency, promoting the use of efficient systems, such as drip irrigation. Water is a fundamental resource not only for our lives, but also for the entire ecosystem. Only together, promoting a path of sustainable development, we can make a difference and give new generations a better future”.
The SDG Pioneer nominations were evaluated by a panel of experts, consisting of previous SDG Pioneers, as well as representatives from the UN Global Compact Expert Network, academia, and UN agencies. Selection criteria include: the individuals’ commitment to integrating the Ten Principles of the Global Compact into their business strategies; their efforts in promoting the SDGs; and their active involvement in Global Compact programs and their Local Networks. (@OnuItalia)
