It’s a cool move by Cool Running Events.

The event management company behind Cork’s Alpine Skate Trail and Ice Rink and Ice Skating Blanchardstown in Dublin has announced that this festive season, its rinks will be powered by environmentally-friendly fuel.

HVO, or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, is a new and superior type of biodiesel made from biological material, making it one of the cleanest, greenest fuels on the market.

Switching to HVO was a decision made by Cool Running Events in line with company efforts to reduce local emissions and CO2.

By using HVO, which is biodegradable, non-toxic, and odour-free, Cool Running Events will also significantly reduce its nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.

“Our transition to HVO will positively impact our carbon performance immediately,” said Orla O’Neill, Creative Director at Cool Running Events.

“We estimate a 90 percent reduction of CO2 emissions this festive season in Cork and Dublin. While moving to HVO brings a significant cost increase over traditional fuel, we are absorbing this cost and not passing it on to our customers as we feel the business, and not the customers are responsible for the carbon performance of the event.”

Each year, Cool Runnings reuse all their decorations, either on the same site or at an alternative site; while any additional decorative requirements, such as artificial Christmas trees, are pre-loved and purchased second-hand where possible.

“One study found that if an artificial tree is reused for up to five years, its carbon footprint will be smaller than buying a real tree every year. We estimate that the artificial trees purchased this year will be used for a minimum of ten years. We are also working towards a zero landfill policy, and Greenstar is facilitating us in this regard.” added O’Neill.