The VIBES Awards are calling on businesses across Edinburgh and Lothians to play their part in supporting Scotland to meet its target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
The announcement comes just days after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Glasgow City Council and Global Footprint Network revealed that Earth Overshoot Day, the point at which we have already have used up our quota of the Earth’s biological resources for the year, will land on Thursday 29 July.
This is the second year Scotland has been chosen to make this global environmental announcement and reflects the vital role the country will play in climate change conversations over the course of 2021.
The VIBES Awards will recognise the vital contribution of Scottish companies who are embracing both the environmental and business benefits of a sustainable approach and showing how Scotland can help #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day in future years.
Entries for businesses to show how they are taking urgent action to halt the climate emergency have just opened at www.vibes.org.uk
The awards will also showcase the important role of Scottish businesses ahead of COP26, the annual UN climate change conference which is coming to Glasgow in November 2021.
The COP26 conference is focused on bringing together parties to tackle climate change and to create a more resilient future for everyone and the VIBES awards are helping to accelerate the pace towards net zero by shining a spotlight on some of the inspirational work already underway in Scotland to reduce the impact on climate change.
Businesses can be recognised for “environmental good practice” or “outstanding achievement” and VIBES are keen to hear from companies who have improved or changed their way of working or have products or services that will help Scotland.
SolarisKit, the world’s first flat-packable solar thermal collector, won a Good Practice Award in the 2020 VIBES awards and demonstrate both the environmental and financial benefits of environmental best practice.
The company, based in Dundee, developed an innovative prismatic design which is able to convert sunlight directly into hot water tackling some of the biggest barriers to the uptake of solar energy in developing countries.
SolarisKit’s founder Faisal Ghani developed the solar thermal collector after realising that carbon emissions from developing and emerging economies exceeded those produced from the industrialised nations. He decided the most impactful way to tackle the climate emergency was through simple and practical clean energy solutions which would not only have a massive impact on the environment but also potentially improve the lives of millions of people across the world.
Faisal Ghani, said: “The SolarisKit team and I were delighted to be acknowledged by the VIBES Awards. We strongly believe in the importance of decarbonising heat to tackle the climate emergency, and the importance of developing solutions suitable for both developing and industrialised economies. We look forward to working within the incredible Scottish eco system to achieve our mission.”
The VIBES Awards were launched in 1999 and have recognised the important contribution of almost 200 businesses in encouraging the efficient use of resources, improving environmental performance and supporting the wider goals of sustainable development.
Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “In November, the eyes of the world will turn to Scotland and COP26. Together we can choose one-planet prosperity over one-planet misery.
“We can and must build from the pandemic through our global ability to plan, to protect and move at pace. Scottish business innovation helped lead the Industrial Revolution.
“In 2021 the Glasgow summit and the future we choose as each community, city, company or country, offers real hope for a new net-zero revolution, with Vibes being a key opportunity to show Scottish business leadership.”
Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES Awards, said: “This is a key time for Scotland and each and every business in the country has a role to play in developing sustainable solutions.
“The VIBES Awards are proud to highlight the existing work which is underway to help Scotland move towards net zero and we hope our successful businesses can inspire others to improve their environmental practices and help to safeguard Scotland for future generations.”
The 2021 VIBES Awards ceremony will be provisionally held in October 2021 and decisions on the format of the event will be made in line with COVID regulations closer to the date.
Businesses have until 30 July 2021 to submit an application.
For further information or to enter please visit www.vibes.org.uk