South organisations' Net Zero efforts recognised at VIBES Awards
Organisations from the South of Scotland have featured prominently in the 2023 VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards.
VIBES recognises the drive for positive and radical environmental action as well as setting the bar high for other businesses to follow.
There were 11 winners and four commendations, which included three new awards categories: the Just Transition Scotland Award, the Vision in Business Scotland Award and the STV Green Fund Award at the annual awards which took place in Glasgow on Wednesday 8 November.
Winners and finalists
Amongst the winners was Kelso's Scotmas Group (Best Medium Business).
The Furniture Project (Stranraer) Ltd were commended in the Circular Economy Award section, while other finalists were Deer Manor Gourmet Mushrooms of Newton Stewart, Hawick-based Emtelle UK Ltd and Twists Studio Glass from Selkirk.
ReBlade - who have close connections to the South through the use of a supplier in Kirkcudbright - won Best New Business.
The VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards is a partnership between:
- SEPA
- Scottish Government
- Energy Saving Trust
- Highland & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise
- Scottish Water
- Zero Waste Scotland
- NatureScot
Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:
“The VIBES Awards highlight the significant steps many of our businesses are taking to help Scotland tackle the major challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
“It was fantastic to see five businesses and community groups from the South make it to the final stage, displaying the commitment of our region to sustainability and the Just Transition to Net Zero.
“There is great work going on in the South of Scotland and we look forward to more local businesses being acknowledged for their outstanding Net Zero efforts in the coming years by the VIBES Awards.”
Gillian Bruce, Chair of VIBES, added:
“Year on year, we see more businesses and organisations working towards net zero carbon emissions and reducing their impact on nature.
It is a challenging journey but a necessary one if we are to stay below the global warming limit. Once again, 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.
"Our hope is the efforts of our winners will encourage and inspire others to develop their environmental practices.”