Empowering homeowners on their own journey to NetZero, using treated wastewater to provide heating, and developing technology solutions to save energy – just some of the planet protecting efforts from organisations across Scotland recognised at the 2022 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
Many businesses in Scotland have already felt the impact of climate change, such as food and drink producers who faced significant water scarcity during the summer. This furthers the drive for positive and radical environmental action and VIBES recognises those leading the way and setting the bar high for others to follow.
There were 12 winners at the annual awards in Glasgow on Tuesday 1 November, whittled down from 45 finalists and a record breaking 422 applicants across Scotland. At a time when saving energy has never felt more important, more than half of the winners cited such action as key to their plans for success and a third were named winners for their innovation in becoming more efficient.
A new Energy Transition Scotland Award was also added to the categories this year.
VIBES is a partnership between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), The Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highland & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland and NatureScot.
The winners of the 2022 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards are:
- Adapting Scotland Award – Highlands Rewilding Ltd
- Circular Scotland Award – Kenoteq
- Engaging Scotland Award – The Highland Council
- Hydro Nation Scotland Award – Green Action Trust
- Innovating Scotland Award – Innovatium Group
- Leadership Scotland Award – Bruichladdich Distillery Co Ltd
- Moving Scotland Award – Arran Dairies Ltd
- Partnership Scotland Award – Renfrewshire Council
- Product or Service Scotland Award – ThermaFY Eco
- Energy Transition Scotland Award – Multiplex Construction Europe
- Nature Rich Scotland Award – SRUC Elmwood Golf
- Small Business Scotland Award – EGG Lighting
Richard Lochhead, Scottish Government Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work addressed the Awards and presented the Leadership Scotland Award. Mr Lochhead said: “The VIBES awards are a fantastic demonstration of the work that businesses all across Scotland are doing to protect our environment and tackle the climate crisis.
“I would like to congratulate all the winners and I hope they will offer inspiration and ideas to other businesses looking to make their work more sustainable.”
Darren Pike, Project Director at Multiplex Construction Europe, winner of the Energy Transition Scotland Award said: “We are delighted to be recognised by the VIBES judges for our commitment to environmental best practice.
“The built environment will play a critical role in delivering Scotland’s Net Zero targets and we believe this award shows that we are on the right path.
“We work collaboratively with Clients and supply chain partners who share our values and look forward to building on these relationships to go further with our decarbonisation and broader sustainability ambitions.”
Laura McGadie, Group Head of Energy, Energy Saving Trust, said: “Through our work delivering energy saving support to businesses in Scotland, we see first-hand the positive steps that many organisations are taking to reduce carbon and contribute to a net zero society.
“We are delighted to support the VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards to help showcase a cross section of inspirational businesses and we congratulate this year’s winners.
“It’s great to highlight the benefits that they are seeing as a result of taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment, so that others can be inspired to act too.”
Since 1999, VIBES has recognised more than 270 businesses championing sustainability and taking steps to protect the resources of our planet. Their dedication and action, from increasing recycling to supporting active travel, has been at the forefront of tackling climate change.
Franceska van Dijk, Deputy Chair of SEPA and one of the head judging panel of this year’s awards commented: “Scotland is famous for its culture of innovation, making it ideally positioned to play a leading role in the journey to a more sustainable, low carbon future.
“We all have a role to play in tackling climate challenges, and it’s particularly significant for businesses. From creating innovative services and products to partnering with suppliers and supporting customers, all our entrants demonstrated a commitment to making the environment a key factor in decision making.”
Gillian Bruce, Chair of VIBES, added: “Every year, we see more and more businesses and organisations who are working towards net zero carbon emissions, which is a challenging but necessary journey.
“This year’s VIBES winners are clearly demonstrating business cases for reducing their environmental footprint – highlighting the social benefits, as well as the positive economic impacts. We hope the efforts of our winners will encourage and inspire others to develop their environmental practices.”
More information is available on the VIBES website.
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