Galway First has reported the Irish minister for the environment John Gormley said the awards will help to foster a positive attitude toward environmentalism.
He added that they will offer businesses, individuals, organisations and communities an opportunity to demonstrate their green policies.
At the launch of the event, Mr Gormley said: “I hope they will inspire, energise, and lead people to think about how they can change their behaviour to reduce the impact of climate change.”
Eugene Bortolozzo, organiser of the Green Awards, said, in addition, the competition will promote good community spirit and raise awareness of environmental issues.
Coop Ireland has recently announced that it is to distribute the first National Green Pages – a guide to living sustainably – for free across the country.