Winners of inaugural Environment Agency awards hailed as “inspirational”

Citation

(2011), "Winners of inaugural Environment Agency awards hailed as “inspirational”", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 58 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2011.12858bab.005

Winners of inaugural Environment Agency awards hailed as “inspirational”

Article Type: Environment and safety From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 58, Issue 2

Inspiring organisations leading the way in environmental performance in the UK were honoured on 24 November 2010 at the Environment Agency’s inaugural Environmental Pioneer Awards.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne MP, who presented the awards at the Environment Agency’s annual conference environment10 in London, praised the calibre of winners.

Chris Huhne said: “I’m thrilled to be able to present these awards to such worthy winners who are tackling climate change and improving the environment on the front line. All the finalists have shown real innovation in cutting carbon and improving sustainability. These sort of efforts deserve celebration.”

Judging

Seven awards were judged by a panel of environmental professionals led by the Environment Agency’s Director of Environment and Business Ed Mitchell. Among the judges were Nicci Russell, Policy Director at Waterwise, Dax Lovegrove, Head of Business and Industry Relations at WWF and David Acres, Policy & Environment Manager at EDF.

Nominations for an eighth award in environmental achievement were decided by Environment Agency staff.

Ed Mitchell said: “Hundreds of organisations from both the public and private sector responded to our call to submit entries and the standard was very impressive. The judging panel had some tough decisions to make but I am confident our winners showcase the best in sustainability.”

“These pioneers prove that reducing carbon footprints and environmental impacts makes good business sense and we hope that they will inspire others to follow their example.”

The winners

International flooring manufacturer InterfaceFLOR Europe Ltd was named Best Private Sector Organisation at the awards reception in Westminster City Hall, while the London Borough of Sutton secured the Best Public Sector category. Both impressed judges for consistently achieving outstanding results on carbon emissions, energy use, waste and environmental impact and encouraging staff and customers to take similar steps.

London-based energy efficiency specialists powerPerfector won the Pioneering Technology and Innovation Award for its work on voltage optimisation, which cuts unnecessary energy use by ensuring equipment is only powered by the electricity it needs.

Specialist watercress grower SUNSALADS Ltd secured the Cleaner Water Award for its “Improving the cleanliness of water” project. Waterless print experts Seacourt Ltd scooped the Waste Reduction Award for their consistent efforts to minimise waste.

RSPB clinched the top accolade in the Pioneering Biodiversity Adaptation Programme category. Judges considered the RSPB’s “Increasing the resilience to climate change of lowland dry acid grassland and lowland heathland on the Suffolk Coast” represented the very best in helping biodiversity adapt to climate change.

Edge Hill University’s efforts to cut carbon and energy use earned the Lancashire entrant the Energy Performance and CO2 Emissions Reduction award.

Finally, the Environment Agency staff award for Environmental Achievement went to The Co-operative Group for continually pushing the boundaries on environmental performance and leading the way on ethical consumerism.

Environment10

Chris Huhne joined Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman MP, Environment Agency Chairman Lord Chris Smith and Chief Executive Paul Leinster at environment10. The annual conference brought together business leaders, politicians and scientists from the UK and abroad to provide insight into the impacts of climate change and the likely legislative and business landscape on key environmental issues.

More information is available from www.environment-agency.gov.uk