Green-Schools, known internationally as Eco-Schools, is an environmental education programme run by An Taisce and local authorities, designed to promote and acknowledge whole school action for the environment. Schools undertake long term projects on environmental issues such as waste and litter management, energy, water, sustainable transport and biodiversity. On a practical front the Green-Schools programme helps schools to reduce waste and save money on waste charges and it also helps schools to conserve energy and water, therefore saving on utility bills. There are approximately 100 schools in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area registered with An Taisce Green-Schools. Many of these schools have achieved Green-Schools status and proudly fly the internationally recognised Green Flag. Following the award of their first Green Flag for the Litter & Waste theme schools renew their Green Flag award every two years by working on a new theme: Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship.