Vibes
The VIBES (Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland) Awards aim to raise awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues within businesses in Scotland. The competition plans to emphasise that more effective environmental management is not only good for business, the economy and competitiveness but also benefits the surroundings in which we work, live and relax. It will reward not only those who have addressed sustainable development issues in the work place, but also hope to encourage others to follow their example.
VIBES is managed by a partnership of organisations including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Environmental Protection UK – Scottish Division, Envirowise, Business Stream, Forward Scotland, the Energy Savings Trust, the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and CBI Scotland. The awards ceremony is sponsored by previous winner Chivas Brothers – Pernod Ricard.
Entries open for Scotland's leading green business awards
The ninth annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards 2008 were launched on 12 March 2008 at the Scottish Parliament.
VIBES is Scotland's leading environmental awards scheme and aims to recognise businesses of all sizes and sectors employing environmental best practice in their daily activity while also making savings to their bottom line.
Deputy Convener of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, John Scott MSP launched the event which was also be attended by: Minister for the Environment Michael Russell MSP; SEPA chairman David Sigsworth and VIBES chair Gillian Bruce, as well as past winners.
Minister for Environment, Michael Russell commented: "Environmentally friendly
businesses, such as those recognised by the VIBES awards, have seized the
opportunity to turn environmental commitment into action to deliver economic success. VIBES is about rewarding excellence and sharing the lessons learnt from good practice in Scottish business.
"The Scottish Government recognises and encourages such green innovation in
businesses. The role which business can play will be essential in meeting our ambitious aims to reduce Scotland's climate change emissions by 50 per cent by 2050 and to move towards a zero waste society."
SEPA chairman David Sigsworth said: "Every year VIBES entrants become better and better – the fact we are seeing this constant improvement shows that environmental issues are becoming increasingly important for a wide range of industries.
"I would encourage all businesses to enter VIBES – it's free to enter and the forms are easy to fill out. Winning a VIBES award not only helps businesses boast about their own green credentials but also shows that they really are making a positive contribution to the well-being of Scotland."
For further details please visit the awards website: www.vibes.org.uk.
The closing date for entries is 18 July 2008. Entries are assessed on the application form and site visits. Winners will be announced at a prestigious award ceremony in December.