VIBES is a Scottish competition which recognises companies’ commitment to reducing their environmental impact; involving staff and including the local community in their initiatives.
Through VIBES, Scottish businesses are rewarded for achieving business savings and for making environmental improvements. VIBES is the only Scottish award scheme that feeds into the prestigious European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) awards. Successful VIBES award finalists are eligible to enter the EBAE awards which attract circa 200 entries per year from the cream of Europe’s most environmentally positive businesses.
Entries open for Scotland's leading green business awards
- The VIBES (Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland) Awards aim to raise awareness
of environmental and sustainable development issues within businesses in Scotland.
- The competition plans to emphasise that more effective environmental management is not only
good for business, the economy and competitiveness but also benefits the surroundings in
which we work, live and relax. It will reward not only those who have addressed sustainable
development issues in the work place, but also hope to encourage others to follow their example.
Free Workshops
We are holding a number of FREE VIBES application workshops around the country to enable you to quiz the judges face-to-face about what makes a good application as well pick up other hints and tips about what to include! For More information visit our workshop pages.
Workshop Press Releases :
East of Scotland | North of Scotland | West of Scotland
VIBES information and assistance with form completion can be obtained at various other business and environment promotional events in Perth, Aberdeen, Lochaber and Bellshill, if you cannot attend one of the three full workshops detailed above, please contact vibes@sepa.org.
Scotland’s top environmentally-friendly businesses announced
Three companies beat off stiff competition from companies across Scotland to be crowned National Winners at the 2007 Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards.
- Large company (more than 250 employees) category – Total E&P UK Ltd: an oil and gas refiner based in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire.
- Medium company category (50-250 employees) – Emtelle UK Ltd: provider of ducted network and blown fibre solutions based in Hawick, in the Borders.
- Small company category (fewer than 50 staff) – Cream O’Galloway Dairy: a
family-run, luxury ice-cream manufacturer from Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.
In addition, ten companies were awarded finalist prizes while two companies –
REpower and Solway Recycling – were awarded special prizes for outstanding service.
VIBES ten top tips on how to produce an award-winning entry:
- Read application form, then read it again.
- Read guidance notes thoroughly – provide information that is asked for.
- Be concise – use bullet points where possible.
- Tell us about your commitment, your policy, your employees’ involvement and their environmental contribution.
- Let us know how you engage with customers, shareholders, suppliers and local community.
- Show us what environmental benefits have been made and what economic savings have been achieved.
- Shout about any innovative ideas that have been implemented, detailing any opportunities you have taken to replicate your actions or having shared your experiences with others.
- Inform us of any future plans to build on your achievements.
- Don’t panic! Focus on your organisation’s strong points and environmental benefits.
- Prepare for a judges visit by involving employees during the visit and be proud of your operation and its achievements.