Edinburgh based City Car Club was today declared a champion of business sustainability at the 16th annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards.
The car club was named winner of the Transport Award, sponsored by Lothian Buses, at the ceremony held in Edinburgh’s Sheraton Hotel. This year, nine businesses took the coveted green title in front of more than 300 people from a wide range of Scottish companies.
The VIBES Awards is Scotland’s leading environmental awards scheme which recognises and rewards businesses that contribute to the country’s sustainable development by taking significant steps to improve or reduce their impact on the environment.
Following a record number of entries, 27 Scottish businesses were shortlisted for the 2015 awards. A rigorous judging process was undertaken, including a programme of site visits, to assess the environmental practices of each of the finalists.
The awards aim to encourage efficient use of resources, enhance business competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support wider sustainable development goals. Awards were presented for each of the eight categories: Management (Large and SME), Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Co-operation (joint award), Hydro-Nation and Circular Economy and Micro Business (a full breakdown of winners is detailed in the notes to editors).
Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES Awards, commented: “We would like to congratulate all our 2015 winners and finalists. The standard of entries this year was very high with many companies demonstrating how putting sustainability at the heart of their business operations can also benefit the bottom line.
“The winners impressed the VIBES judges throughout the process with their commitment to environmental excellence. We have had a great day celebrating their achievements and hope many more companies will be inspired to follow their example by recognising the benefits of sustainability in business.”
Dan Gursel, managing director of City Car Club, said: “Winning a VIBES Award is an incredible achievement for City Car Club, and one more big step for what has been an important year for our business.
“Earlier this year we were acquired by Enterprise Rent-A-Car with the remit to develop and grow our capabilities to deliver a better and more sustainable service for local communities across the UK. We’re already seeing electric vehicles in Edinburgh and around the country, as well as business car clubs that are helping local authorities and companies to reduce their emissions and travel costs. Winning this award is vital recognition that we can make a real difference to communities and the environment.”
Each of the 2015 VIBES winners is now eligible to enter the 2016 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). In 2014 six out of the 12 entries representing the UK were chosen from previous VIBES Awards winners. Edinburgh-based Vegware and Stonehaven’s Bay Fish and Chips were selected as the only UK finalists in 2014, putting Scotland firmly on the map in terms of sustainable business practices in Europe.
The VIBES Awards is a strategic partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and the 20:20 Climate Group. The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business.
Sponsoring the awards this year are Scottish Government, ScottishPower, Zero Waste Scotland, Brand-Rex, EMEC, Pernod Ricard Chivas Regal, Lothian Buses, Centre for Sustainable Practice & Living and The University of Stirling Management School.
The Awards are accredited by the RSA Environment Awards Accreditation Scheme (www.rsaaccreditation.org).
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
