Health & Safety Update (September 2010)

Environmental pioneers sought by Environment Agency

The Environment Agency has issued a call for entries to its inaugural Environmental Pioneer Awards, which recognise companies, government bodies, local authorities and charities that pride themselves on their sustainability.

Entries to each of the eight categories - which include cleaner water and waste reductions awards - can be made online before 8 October on the Environment Agency's awards webpage.

Short-listing for the awards, which will be judged by a panel led by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne MP, will take place on 18 October and winners will be announced at the Environment Agency’s Environment 10 conference on 24 November. The conference will investigate the impact of climate change and the likely legislative and business landscape on key environmental issues.

The eight categories are: Best private sector organisation and best public sector organisation, Pioneering technology and innovation award, Cleaner water award, Waste reduction award, Pioneering biodiversity programme, Energy performance and CO2 emissions reduction and Environment Agency staff award for environmental achievement.

Environment Agency Chief Executive, Dr Paul Leinster, said, “We have launched these awards to recognise those organisations who are leading the way on environmental performance, pioneering new ways to reduce emissions, pollution and resource use.

“I urge both private and public sector bodies to enter and hope that we are overwhelmed by the number of entries we receive. I am confident that the entrants will clearly demonstrate that reducing environmental impacts makes good business sense,” he added.