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AccESS Newsletter for Accredited Environment and Sustainability Awards Schemes
Inside: European Awards 2016 timetable New website launched Winners of Accredited Awards Schemes announced
ISSUE 1:2016
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Accredited Schemes are the Route to Europe Winning an award provides
entrants
your business with the
have won
recognition it deserves;
more EBAE
whether it’s for innovative
Awards than
thinking, the development
any other country.
of a new technology or the
To be eligible to
application of novel business
enter, you need to first be
processes.
successful in one of the UK’s RSA Accredited Award Schemes.
Taking your success into the
RSA Accreditation guarantees
wider European market can
the level of professionalism,
pay massive dividends; for
quality and transparency of an
your company’s reputation,
award scheme. It also provides
motivation and finances.
entrants with access to a range
Winning a prestigious
of services, guidance and
European Business Award for
support provided by the RSA’s
the Environment (EBAE) is
Awards Forum. The Forum,
something that many
which is managed by IMS
business-people strive for.
Consulting (Europe) Ltd, gives
Over the past decade, UK
awards and scheme organisers
New Website Launched the opportunity to become part of a network of professionals with a common objective; improving the standards of sustainable development in business. For more details about awards schemes, accreditation and the EBAE, contact Vittoria Caselgrandi at IMS Consulting on 0117 325 0612 or email: rsa@imsplc.com
A new website is now live to help awards entrants, sponsors, scheme organisers and businesses share information and learn about the awards. This useful resource contains downloadable guides, case studies and regular news updates from accredited schemes. All you need to know about entering, running and sponsoring environment and sustainable development awards can be found at: www.rsaaccreditation.org
Looking for Help? A series of handy guides, written for UK awards entrants, scheme organisers and prospective European Awards entrants are available now for download at www.rsaaccreditation.org
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EBAE INDICATIVE TIMELINE AND MILESTONES FOR 2015 - 2016 2015
European Business Awards for the Environment EBAE Timetable announced
applying for one of the other four listed categories. The indicative timetable is out and we are expecting the
The EBAE take place
handbook by the end of the
every two years and it’s
year. The UK has until mid-April
time to start thinking
to register submissions so make
about applications for the
sure you’re prepared and on the
2016/17 round. The awards’
path to European recognition.
five categories highlight The 2014/15 winners included
including:
projects that save birds from
2. Product and Services 3. Process 4. International Business Cooperation 5. Business and Biodiversity The winner in the Business and Biodiversity category is selected from companies
EBAE Newsletter
November/December Review of geographical distribution of entries/finalists and potential barriers to entry in key countries
December Distribution of revised EBAE handbook to National Contacts (NCs) in full Registration Platform revision
2016 February NCs to enrol companies, winners, runners-up and special recommendations
February EBAE Newsletter
Mid February - March
high wire collisions, a smart app that helps protect sea-grass beds and the upcycling of waste to fashion on a massive scale.
The Great Recovery The Great Recovery is a project
The current linear model of
and resource managers,
run by the RSA and supported
manufacturing is throwing
brands and retailers,
by Innovate UK. It looks at
up major economic and
consumers, policy makers
the challenges of waste and
environmental challenges.
and government, investors
the opportunities of a circular
Risk to the supply chain is
and academics all working
economy through the
increasing, and the cost of
together.
lens of design.
materials is rising sharply,
On-line registration by companies
Mid April
Closing date for submission
Mid April - Mid May
business innovations,
1. Management
November
NCs review and validate entries
May EBAE newsletter
July - August Pre-selection of companies by jury
October/November EBAE Awards ceremony at Eco-Innovation Forum
putting pressure on businesses
The RSA Great Recovery
The project questions the
to change. We need to shift
runs and supports a diverse
manufacturing system’s ‘take,
towards more circular systems
programme of activities and
make, waste’ approach and
and good design thinking is
events. The focus is hands
provides practical, design-
pivotal to this transition.
on learning and knowledge building through network
led solutions through events, resources and publications.
In order to make this shift,
insight. Participants from the
The aim is to pursue a more
designers need to consider the
design industry and across
circular economy, and explore
system as a whole rather than
the circular network are
challenges, investigate
focus on individual components
encouraged to get involved.
innovation gaps and incubate
or products. True co-creation is
new partnerships in
crucial from those involved in
Find out more online at greatrecovery.org.uk
pursuit of this goal.
these life-cycles: designers and material experts, manufacturers
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Scottish Business Champions unveiled at 2015 VIBES Awards
News from Accredited Schemes After receiving
View full list here.
a record number
edie's RSA-accredited
of entries from
Awards recognise
organisations large
excellence across
and small, edie
the spectrum of
revealed the winners
sustainability
of the Sustainable
activity; from the
Leaders Awards (SLA).
best efficiency programmes, leading
The winners for each of design and product the 14 SLA categories
innovation through to
were announced as
the people who are
part of a prestigious
making it happen.
awards ceremony and
The SLA shortlist for
dinner at the Grand
2015 was whittled
Connaught Rooms in
down to 88 entries,
London on Thursday,
with finalists including
19 November.
multi-national corporations, retailers,
Winners included:
manufacturers, luxury
Willmott Dixon, for
brands, SMEs,
Sustainable Business
public-sector
of the Year
organisations,
National Grid for
universities and more.
Carbon Management, Heathrow Airport for Energy Management.
Commenting on this year’s shortlist, edie editor Luke Nicholls said: The sustainability sector is one of the main engines of long-term economic recovery and innovation – the quality and sheer number of entries we received for this year’s Sustainability Leaders Awards reflects that. Organisations from across the full spectrum of sectors have shifted from talking about ambitious sustainability initiatives to genuinely delivering
Nine Scottish companies were
The VIBES Awards is Scotland’s
declared champions of business
leading environmental awards
sustainability at the 16th annual
scheme that recognises and
Vision in Business for the
rewards businesses that
Environment of Scotland (VIBES)
contribute to the country’s
Awards.
sustainable development by taking significant steps to
them, at scale and
City Car Club, Taylor Wimpey West
improve or reduce their impact
at pace. edie’s SLAs
Scotland and C&D Associates
on the environment.
are a great reason to
LLP (joint winners), Better World
celebrate those who
Books, Emtelle UK Ltd., CMS
Following a record number of
are really setting
Window Systems, Aberdeen
entries, 27 Scottish businesses
the standard when
Heat & Power Ltd., Bridge
were shortlisted for the 2015
it comes to doing
Biotechnology and Lobster Pod
awards. A rigorous judging
business better.
each picked up a coveted green
process was undertaken,
award at the ceremony held in
including a programme of
With such an array of
Edinburgh’s Sheraton Hotel. The
site visits, to assess the
high-quality entries
annual event was attended by
environmental practices of each
to analyse, edie hand-
more than 300 people from a wide
of the finalists.
picked the 2015 SLA
range of Scottish businesses. Clyde
judges based on their
Shopping Centre and Tinto Toners
The awards aim to
specialist knowledge
also received commendations.
encourage efficient use of
and experience within
resources, enhance business
their own field. From
Six micro-businesses, Brae Cottage
competitiveness, improve
Forum to the Future
B&B, Castle Enterprise, Uist
environmental performance
to WRAP; the Carbon
Wool, Greenspace Live, Film City
and support wider sustainable
Trust to Waterwise,
Glasgow and Loch Ken Bothies
development goals. Awards were
sustainability
were presented with certificates
presented for each of the eight
expertise was
of good practice for their
categories: Management (Large
prevalent across
environmental efforts.
and SME), Environmental Product
the board.
or Service, Transport,
follow their example
Co-operation (joint
by recognising
award), Hydro-Nation
the benefits of
and Circular Economy
sustainability in
and Micro Business.
business.”
Gillian Bruce,
Each of the 2015
Chair of the VIBES
VIBES winners is
Awards, commented:
now eligible to enter
“We would like to
the 2016 European
congratulate all our
Business Awards for
2015 winners and
the Environment
finalists. The standard
(EBAE). In 2014 six
of entries this year
out of the 12 entries
was very high with
representing the UK
many companies
were chosen from
demonstrating how
previous VIBES Awards
putting sustainability
winners. Edinburgh-
at the heart of their
based Vegware and
business operations
Stonehaven’s Bay
can also benefit the
Fish and Chips were
bottom line.
selected as the only UK finalists in 2014,
“The winners
putting Scotland firmly
impressed the VIBES
on the map in terms of
judges throughout
sustainable business
the process with
practices in Europe.
their commitment
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Footprint Awards Footprint Awards
on sustainable sourcing.
Winners expressed the
announced this year’s
Smaller innovators doing
desire to work even harder,
winners at their ceremony
great things were also
with others inspired to do
in London. Now in their
recognised, such as
more to secure their place
fifth year, the awards
micro-greens and
on the podium next year.
recognise those leading
salad grower ‘Growing
the way in sustainability
Underground’, who use
Companies can enter
in the food-service
hydroponics and LEDs to
12 categories covering
industry, whether they’re
grow carbon-neutral food
issues such as efficient
massive multinationals
in disused tunnels below
use of resources,
or small start-ups. This
the streets of Clapham.
packaging innovation,
year, those taking home
Guests came away
waste management and
awards included big names
energised to ramp up
responsible sourcing.
such as Pret, who won
their sustainability efforts, This year’s winners
an award for their work
buzzing with new ideas, contacts and inspiration.
their achievements
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Award
and hope many
Sponsored by Green 10
more companies
Winner: Wyke Farms
will be inspired to
Runner-up: Smith
Waste Management & Reduction Award
Anderson Group
Sponsored by Green 10
to environmental excellence. We have had a great day celebrating
included:
Environmentally Efficient Logistics Award
Winner: Winnow Runner-up: Simply Cups
Sponsored by Nestle Professional Winner: Kuehne+Nagel Runner-up: Greggs plc Joint Runner-up: Bidvest Foodservice View full list here
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The Biffa Award Ceremony
Low Carbon Champions announced In September 2015, the Low
always a pleasure to celebrate
Carbon Vehicle Partnership
success and there were many
(LowCVP) announced their
reasons to commend the
Biffa Award is a multimillion pound fund that
Buildings’ prize, for not only
helps build communities
transforming the hall but
and transform lives
also creating real positive
Finally, the Wildlife Trust of
Champions for 2014-15 at
contribution of this year’s
through awarding grants
change to their community.
South and West Wales won in
a networking event held at
entries to cutting emissions,
to community and
the ‘Rebuilding Biodiversity’
Double Tree by Hilton MK
both of greenhouse gases and
environmental projects
Birmingham Open Media, a
category for bringing the
Dons Stadium. The Champions
local pollutants.
across the UK.
creative arts centre, won in
community and nature
Awards celebrate achievement
the ‘Small Grants’ category.
together in their Parc Slip
and innovation in low carbon
“The winning entries – and
The Coventry Transport
redevelopment project.
road transport.
those recognised as runners-up
museum was the setting
The David Clarke Railway
and short-listed – are exciting
for this year’s Biffa Award
Trust claimed the ‘Cultural
Birmingham Open
Optare won the ‘Grand
examples of a vibrant and
ceremony. All Biffa Award
Facilities’ prize for their
Media (BOM) were lucky
Prix’ award for Outstanding
innovative low carbon road
funded projects completed
Quorn and Woodhouse
enough to win the coveted
Achievement in Low Carbon
transport sector in the UK
in 2014-15 were eligible to
station redevelopment
title of ‘Overall Winner
Transport (winner of winners)
that is going from strength to
apply, of the 240 projects,
project.
2015’. They impressed
and Mitsubishi took home the
strength.”
19 were short-listed across
the judges with their
award in the prestigious Low
five categories, as well as an
The Pool Piece Working
transformation of a derelict
Carbon Car/Van Manufacturer
The Low Carbon Vehicle
overall winner.
Group, Community
building into a thriving
of the Year category.
Partnership (LowCVP) is a
Voluntary Action, Ledbury
community arts centre.
Harmston Memorial
and District took home the
Hall in Lincolnshire was
Recreation short-list trophy
awarded the ‘Community
for restoring the green in the heart of their village.
public/private partnership View the full list of
funded to accelerate the shift
winners here.
to low carbon vehicles and fuels and create opportunities
Andy Eastlake, LowCVP’s Managing Director, said: “It’s
for UK business.
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Marks & Spencer - Plan A In 2012, after winning in an
What is the business
accredited award scheme at
case of entering awards?
issue for businesses looking to enter one. RSA accreditation
national level, Marks & Spencer won the Management Award
No matter where your business
Even for established
at the European Business
is along the sustainability
businesses such as
Awards for the Environment
journey, there are several
M&S, winning an award brings a
(EBAE) with their ethical and
reasons to enter an award
number of benefits. The most
environmental roadmap, Plan
scheme. Entering a well-known
A. We caught up with Adam
scheme and winning an award
important being employee
Elman, Global Director of Plan
can help establish your
motivation; our employees
A, to discuss the business case
place a high value on winning
for entering an RSA accredited
awards and this improves team engagement and motivation.
award scheme as well as some
reputation as a responsible
very useful tips on how to
business and gives credibility
maximise your chances
to your claims in the eyes
What is the role of
to win them.
of key stakeholders. This can
environmental awards?
be a door-opener for smaller innovative businesses and can
Award schemes are primarily a
help establish their brand.
way of rewarding companies for their efforts to become more
award schemes become
guarantees quality as
a means of increasing
all accredited schemes
standards and an
have to reach minimum
opportunity for sharing
standards of organisation
knowledge.
and operation to be eligible. In addition,
Why RSA accredited
RSA accredited schemes
awards?
are the only awards
responsible. M&S has
schemes in the UK that
won a large number of
In the past few years we
can feed entrants into
awards and recognition
have seen a proliferation
the prestigious European
in the past, now we
of environmental
Business Awards for the
hope to see more and
awards. The number of
Environment, giving
more businesses enter
environmental award
businesses that succeed
and win awards so
schemes available
at the national level a
that the industry can
can be daunting, and
chance to compete with
move forward. In this
assessing their quality
other sustainability
sense, environmental
and value becomes an
leaders in Europe.
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About the Sectretariat What makes a good entry? Here are some tips I can give to business wanting to improve their entry. First of all make sure you keep it concise and clearly communicate your key messages in the beginning. This will make it easier for the judges to immediately understand the value of your entry and maximise your chances to win. Ensure you explain what the impact of your initiative was and how
The RSA (Royal Society for
We help to simplify the process
the encouragement of Arts,
by providing a mark of quality
you measured success;
Manufactures and Commerce)
to award schemes, making
outline the targets set and
Accreditation scheme helps
sure they meet a robust set
the results you achieved.
to simplify the process of
of criteria, and by doing so
Highlight what makes
selecting the right awards
demonstrate high quality and
your initiative unique,
scheme for you.
validity.
what sets your entry
With over 400 schemes now
The RSA Accreditation scheme
apart from competitors.
operating in the UK based
is managed in the UK by IMS
Finally, whenever possible,
environmental and sustainable
Consulting (Europe) Ltd, IMS
include visuals to help
development area alone, it can
also represent the UK on the
bring your initiative to
be difficult to know which to
European Business Awards
life and make your
choose.
for the Environment (EBAE)
how it is innovative and
entry stands out.
Steering Group.
Contact the RSA Accreditation secretariat: IMS Consulting (Europe) Ltd
+44 (0)117 325 0612
Royal London Building, 42-46 Baldwin St,
Email: rsa@imsplc.com
Bristol, BS1 1PN, UK.
www.rsaaccreditation.org