Highland organisations win top awards at 2022 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
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Projects involving a green energy scheme in Inverness and rewilding the Highlands have been recognised at an environment awards ceremony.
Highland Council and Highlands Rewilding were two of 12 winners at the 2022 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards held in Glasgow.
The winners were whittled down from 45 finalists from a record breaking 422 entrants across Scotland.
Highlands Rewilding, based in Drumnodrochit, won the Adapting Scotland Award for its efforts to help rewild, re-people and upskill the Scottish Highlands.
It has increased carbon capture and storage, biodiversity, and green jobs through work at its two estates - Bunloit and Beldorney.
Jeremy Leggett, chief executive of Highlands Rewilding, said: "We are proud to have been recognised at this year’s VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards as the winner of the Adapting Scotland Awards. It is a real testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone at Highlands Rewilding.
"The awards are a fantastic way to find out about what other businesses are doing.
"You are able to share best practice amongst a like-minded community who also want to improve their operations whilst benefitting the environment. It is a great opportunity to inspire others to follow suit."
Highland Council picked up the Engaging Scotland Award.
After declaring a climate emergency in 2019, the local authority developed the Hydro Ness project to use historical infrastructure to create renewable energy, a STEM learning hub and tourist destination.
Hydro-electric project shortlisted for second award
It has also reused waste materials to landscape and create community spaces.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said to be recognised by VIBES for winning the Engaging Scotland category was a great achievement.
"We hope that by taking our place amongst many excellent projects working towards achieving Scotland’s Net Zero ambition, we will inspire more organisations to make a difference," he said.
VIBES is a partnership between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland and NatureScot.
Richard Lochhead, Scottish Government Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work, said: "The VIBES awards are a fantastic demonstration of the work that businesses all across Scotland are doing to protect our environment and tackle the climate crisis.
"I would like to congratulate all the winners and I hope they will offer inspiration and ideas to other businesses looking to make their work more sustainable."
Audrey MacIver, director of energy transition and net zero at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said the awards recognised the "fantastic" work by businesses across the country to put sustainability at the heart of their operations.
"We would like to congratulate all the winners in their success, which is a true recognition of their strong environmental commitment in everything that they do," she said.
"It’s fantastic to see so many successful businesses from the Highlands and Islands and we hope that many more of our region’s companies will be inspired to follow in their footsteps by recognising the benefits of sustainability in business."
Since 1999, VIBES has recognised more than 270 businesses championing sustainability and taking steps to protect the planet's resources.
Franceska van Dijk, deputy chairman of SEPA and one of the head judging panel of this year’s awards, said: "Scotland is famous for its culture of innovation, making it ideally positioned to play a leading role in the journey to a more sustainable, low carbon future.
"We all have a role to play in tackling climate challenges, and it’s particularly significant for businesses.
"From creating innovative services and products to partnering with suppliers and supporting customers, all our entrants demonstrated a commitment to making the environment a key factor in decision making."
Gillian Bruce, chairwoman of VIBES, added: "Every year, we see more and more businesses and organisations who are working towards net zero carbon emissions, which is a challenging but necessary journey.
"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.
"We hope the efforts of our winners will encourage and inspire others to develop their environmental practices."
