UK company wins top European environment Award
UK company wins top European environment AwardFindus Group UK has won the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). They triumphed over stiff competition to win the Management Award for their 'Fish for Life': supporting sustainable fisheries project which was started by Young's Seafood in the UK and is now applied across Europe by Findus, its parent group.
The awards were announced at an awards ceremony on June 2nd by European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik who said, "The more we are aware of the real and inherent value of our environment, the more effectively we will combine economic, social and environmental goals. The companies involved in the European Business Awards for the Environment are a key element in this - demonstrating clearly their innovative abilities and the economic sense of applying eco-technologies and processes." The awarding jury added, "The 'Fish for Life' initiative sets a benchmark for responsible fishery management, promoting and sharing best practices both locally and internationally, with strong involvement of employees and other stakeholders."
Chris Britton, CEO of the Findus Group, says, "This is fantastic recognition for Fish for Life which places it amongst the very best environmental initiatives in Europe. Being declared a winner underlines the point that Fish for Life is much more than just a consumer label for our products - it is a committed and multi-faceted programme intended to support genuine improvement in fish sustainability."
The biennial awards are given in four categories and recognise European businesses that make a particular contribution to sustainable development by combining innovation, economic viability, environmental concern and social responsibility. The winners were chosen from 141 entries from 24 EU and candidate countries. This is the highest number of entries since the European Business Awards for the Environment were launched in 1987 and reflects the growing interest of businesses in sustainability and their understanding of today's environmental challenges.
The ceremony was held during the annual Green Week conference in Brussels.
Fish for Life was initiated in 2006 by Young's Seafood and has since been adopted across Findus Group's operations in continental Europe. It encompasses detailed criteria and a stringent assessment process to ensure that all fish is responsibly sourced and highlighted as such on young's and Findus packs throught e Fish for Life logo. The programme also drives extnsive engagement work with fisheries to support best practice and long term sustainability.
The programme was the only British entry to reach the pan-European stage out of eleven UK winners named in London in March. It beat two other entries from Austria and Turkey to take the overall Management prize.
The product award at the EBAE was won by EnergyICT from Belgium for their advanced energy management system EIServer which is being used by Tesco in the UK and is enabling them to reduce energy consumption by 20% across all its UK stores. Other winners came from Germany and Spain.
Picture attached: Findus Group winner, Mr Ian Hagg, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility receiving the award from Mr Janez Potočnik, European Environment Commissioner.
