Rio showed us that business is taking action on sustainability regardless of the slow pace of policy and regulation in this space. Business in the Community’s annual responsible business Awards, the 2012 Awards for Excellence last month recognised businesses that are showing leadership on sustainable travel, climate change and managing environmental impacts. EDF Energy, Veolia Environmental Services and Quorum Business Park were the overall winners for their environmental campaigns during the 2012 Awards for Excellence.
Dr Alan Knight Sustainability Director at Business in the Community commented "Congratulations to the winners of the environmental categories for our Awards for Excellence. They are examples of leaders in responsible business who are not only minimising environmental impacts, but also starting to transform the way they operate in certain areas, to make their organisation more sustainable."
The winning environmental campaigns from EDF Energy, Veolia Environmental Services and Quorum Business Park were:
EDF Energy has reduced its transport emissions by 38%, is on the way to reaching its commitment to reduce CO2 emissions from commercial buildings by 30% by 2012 and has involved more than 5.5 million school children through its sustainable schools programme, ‘The Pod’.
Paul Kelly, Chair of the ASDA Foundation and Chair of the judging panel said: “From sustainable behavior education of future consumers, to biodiversity in partnership with local wildlife organisations, EDF Energy deserves the leadership title for the breadth, depth and impact of its work.”
Veolia Environmental Services (UK) has awarded £2.3million, through the Veolia Trust, to 90 carbon reduction projects and has helped 4,000 refuse drivers to reduce their carbon impacts.
Alex Gourlay, Chief Executive, Health and Beauty Division, Alliance Boots and Chair of the judging panel said: “Veolia is making rubbish exciting by a ‘can do’ attitude and energy that ensures their business takes every opportunity to find solutions to the challenges of sustainability. Veolia is living up to and going beyond expectations to truly be an environmental enabler and champion for its clients.”
Quorum Business Park has helped Tesco Bank to recruit 1,000 staff by offering a personalised travel planning service. In the park, cycling doubled over a year, car use decreased and public transport doubled in three years to 38%.
Bridget Jackson, Corporate Sustainability Director, PwC and Chair of the judging panel said: “Quorum is a fantastic example of a bold, proactive approach to sustainable travel, working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to deliver significant and tangible behavior change in a short period of time.”
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, said: “The winners of our Awards for Excellence are companies who have gone the extra mile to embed responsibility into the heart of their business. They all understand that the mutual benefit of being a responsible business means it is possible to transform business and transform communities at the same time. Our winners are strong examples of how business can be a force for good.”
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