News
26/11/2018

Recognising Adaptation at the VIBES Awards

Adaptation Scotland would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners of the 2018 VIBES Awards. It was particularly exciting to see adaptation on the agenda, both as an award category and as part of general discussions.

Scotland’s climate is changing. While we can reduce the extent of future of climate change, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions we also need to start innovating to become resilient to the climate impacts that are already happening.

For the very first time, VIBES recognised businesses and partnerships that are working to become resilient to climate change impacts with the Climate Change Adaptation Award. The four finalists demonstrated that they are taking a proactive, collaborative approach to managing climate risks and developing products and services that are enabling society to adapt to a changing climate.

Despite being a new category, the quality and standard of the submissions were incredibly high, so much so that the judges decided to make two adaptation awards with one commendation as well as a winner.

The James Hutton Institute won the Adaptation Award for their work to implement adaptation actions on their demonstration farm and pioneering work to set up the International Barley Hub. Barley is the fourth most important cereal crop in the world and Scotland’s most valuable cereal crop.The International Barley Hub brings together researchers, growers, processors and producers to increase understanding of the impacts of climate change on the barley and develop holistic solutions across the supply chain.

Aberdeen City Council Countryside Ranger Service was chosen for the commendation award. The Service manages 28 countryside sites in Aberdeen to promote nature conservation, recreation and education for all and has developed a series of outstanding partnership projects that deliver adaptation benefits. These include planting of around 100ha of new native woodland in the urban areas of the city; the East Tullos Burn Restoration Project and the development of a wetland area within Seaton Park, one of Aberdeen’s major parks.

The Seaton park project aimed to improvement the management of an area of the Park that flooded for much of the year.The new wetland area, which includes over 30,000 wildflowers, creates a safe and attractive area for water storage, reduces flood risk to the surrounding area and has made the park a much more attractive and appealing place for people to visit and enjoy.

Winners for the other award categories are as follows:

Management (Large) Award that recognised businesses with over 250 employees whose management systems deliver continuous improvement in environmental performance:

  • Winner – Scottish Leather Group Limited
  • Commendation – DSM Nutritional Products (UK) (Limited)

Management (SME) Award that recognised businesses with less than 250 employees whose management systems deliver continuous improvement in environmental performance:

  • Hickory (catering and events company)

Environmental Product or Service Award that recognised businesses that have developed or are developed a product or service that brings environmental and business benefits:

  • Clearwater Control Ltd

Innovation Award that recognised the development of innovative technologies, products, practices or services that bring environmental and business benefits:

  • Xanthella

HydroNation Water Innovation Award that recognised businesses who have maximised the environmental, social and economic benefits of water resources.

  • Aqualution Systems Ltd

Circular Economy Award recognising businesses that can demonstrate a circular approach to material use and business function:

  • Spruce Carpets Limited

Sustainable and Active Travel award recognises achievements reduce environmental impacts through the introduction of sustainable transport practices

  • Beyond Green f

The Green Team Award recognising the importance of staff working together to deliver environmental improvement:

  • Devro (Scotland) Ltd

The Micro Business award for the best entry to any category from a company with fewer than 10 employees:

  • Peel Tech Ltd

To find out more about the vibes awards visit: http://www.vibes.org.uk/