St John’s Shopping Centre makes the final of the 2018 Vibes Awards

More than 40 of Scotland’s best green businesses have been announced as finalists for the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards in recognition of their commitment to tackling environmental challenges.

St John’s Shopping Centre, Perth has been announced as finalist at the 2018 Vibes Awards in the Adaptation to Climate Change Category. Now in their 19^th year, the awards urge Scotland’s businesses to challenge their everyday working practices and embrace the economic opportunity of sustainability. 

The finalists have been selected across nine individual award categories which aim to recognise the different ways organisations are implementing environmental best practice in their daily activity. This could range from reducing the use of plastic or developing a new product or service, to encouraging cycle to work schemes or replacing company vehicles for electric cars.

Derek Martin, marketing manager at St John’s Shopping Centre said: “We are delighted to have made the finals of this year’s Vibes Awards. The whole team were thrilled to learn that our conscious effort to reduce our impact on the environment has been recognised by the industry leaders who judged our application”.

Sustainable best practice isn’t just good for the environment but is also beneficial for business performance, with many of this year’s entries reporting associated benefits including; enhanced competitiveness, a positive working culture and both environmental and financial savings.

Commenting, Bob Downes, chair of SEPA and head of the VIBES judging panel, said: “The VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards are a great chance to recognise business leadership in sustainable environmental investment. This is at the core of SEPA’s One Planet Prosperity regulatory strategy. New approaches for delivering environmental improvements provide businesses with opportunities to enhance their sustainability and economic performance. 

This year a Climate Adaptation commendation has also been introduced, in partnership with Adaptation Scotland, which will reward a business that has demonstrated managing climate related risks or has created a product or service to help society adapt.

Benjamin Lang, marketing & community engagement assistant at St John’s Shopping Centre said: “To be announced as finalist amongst some of Scotland’s best green businesses is an achievement in itself that we’re extremely proud of. The recognition of our adaptation to climate change goes along way to prove a lot of small changes can have a big impact in reducing your carbon footprint.