Climate change remains top of the agenda for Scottish businesses, particularly food and drink producers who experienced another challenging summer due to water scarcity. 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 4 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 8th November.
The winners and commendations from VIBES 2023 – Scottish Environment Business Awards are:
• Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best Large Business
Sponsor – Chivas Brothers, Pernod Ricard
Winner = Tennent Caledonian Breweries UK Limited
• Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best Medium Business
Sponsor – NDA
Winner = Scotmas Group
• Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best Small Business
Sponsor – University of Stirling Management School
Winner = Windswept Brewing Co
Commendation = Dear Green Coffee Roasters
• Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best New Business
Sponsor – NetRegs
Winner = ReBlade
• Product Scotland Award
Sponsor – The Glenmorangie Company
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Winner = Sunamp
• Service Scotland Award
Sponsor – Zero Waste Scotland
Winner = The Alba Explorers Ltd
Commendation = Changeworks
• Nature Rich Scotland Award
Sponsor – The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Commendation = Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
• Circular Scotland Award
Sponsor – Optimum Eco Group
Winner = Brewster Brothers
Commendation = The Furniture Project (Stranraer) Ltd
• Just Transition Scotland Award
Sponsor – The University of Edinburgh
Winner = RI Cruden Ltd
• Sustainable Transport Scotland Award
Sponsor – HARRIS MAXUS
Winner = Ember
• Energy Transition Scotland Award
Sponsor – SSE Energy Solutions
Winner = RSE (Ross-shire Engineering)
• Green Fund Award
Sponsor – STV
Winner = Ember
Ember, an Edinburgh based fully electric intercity bus travel company, grabbed two awards on the night, including a £30K campaign partnership with STV. Harvey Logan, Founders Associate, said: "We are pleased to have won the VIBES Sustainable Transport Scotland award. Decarbonisation is at the heart of Ember and drives every aspect of our work. VIBES provides recognition of everything we've achieved so far, and the showcase of sustainable practices from all across Scottish business only inspires us to continue building and further grow our positive impact.
"Winning the STV Green Fund Award is a fantastic added bonus. We are looking forward to using this airtime to share how we have embraced sustainability and inspire others to join us as we forge a path to net zero transport in Scotland."
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."
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."
