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| About |
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The Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards are the longest running and one of the most prestigious environmental awards in the UK. They provide a unique opportunity for any business to demonstrate clearly that corporate responsibility is as an integral part of their organisation and that they are innovative and ahead of the competition. The Awards provide an excellent platform from which to enhance that competitive advantage in a way that can have immediate benefits and a positive contribution towards future generations. Managed and administered by UK business, the BCE Environmental Leadership Awards truly recognise the importance of environmental excellence, innovation and leadership in an age where simply running with the pack simply is not enough. Businesses of all types have a crucial role to play in being innovative in responsible environmental practices that help conserve natural resources and reduce the impacts of climate change. The BCE Environmental Leadership Awards encourage business to set the benchmarks for environmental best practice by recognising the achievements of those that excel. Entry is free of charge, so the BCE Environmental Leadership Awards are among the easiest to enter, but by stark contrast, the hardest to win. Only those projects that meet the judges’ demanding criteria succeed. A registered charity and founded by Sir Peter Parker in 1975, the awards are sponsored by businesses for business, and are given to companies that the judges recognise as meeting the commercial demands of the present without compromising the environment for future generations. Over the last 30 years winners include organisations as diverse as British Petroleum (1975), Thorpe Park (1984), Marks & Spencer (1996) and Renewable Energy Systems (2004). CategoriesThe Awards fall into four main categories, plus an overall winner and runners up. All awards are assessed on leadership and commitment, innovation and demonstration of real environmental benefits. Best Overall : the Peter Parker Award is named after the founder of the Awards , whose son, Alan Parker of Brunswick Group, is now a Vice-President of the Awards. It is awarded for the best project from the following four categories:
In addition, Major Commendations are awarded to up to nine runners-up, based on the four categories above. |
CeremonyThe Awards are presented at a prestigious awards ceremony with a high-profile guest speaker. The ceremony is usually hosted by Brunswick Group in June, in the stunning Lincoln Centre at Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. Previous speakers have included Prince Charles, Tony Blair and David Cameron. Attendance at the ceremony is free of charge to winners and to shortlisted companies. There are a number of sponsors for the Premier Awards. In addition, support for the ceremony is provided by a number of environmentally aware companies. The environmental effects of travel to the event are offset by Climate Care. JudgesThe technical panel of judges consist of a panel of assessors with expertise from a wide range of businesses. Following an initial compliance filter, they judge the awards at various stages and carry out the site visits and interview key and general company personnel, enabling them to assess entries against common, stringent criteria. It is a process that distinguishes and sets the BCE Environmental Leadership Awards apart from other award schemes. Defra's Envirowise programme provides support to this technical panel. Vice-Presidents/ TrusteesA number of distinguished experts, representatives from industry and governmental bodies support the BCE Environmental Leadership Awards. Sir Anthony Cleaver is the scheme's fourth President, and is supported by a group of Vice Presidents, including several from leading blue chip companies. BenefitsWinning such a tough contest can be an incredible boost for an organisation, both internally, for the staff, and externally, with customers and in the wider business community. The Awards are indeed a high profile accolade for any company to be proud of. The BCE Environmental Leadership Awards calls all companies that have successfully set new standards of innovation, business performance and leadership for the environment to enter the Awards. Entry is open to companies of any size and sector, from those just starting a business to multinational organisations.
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HRH Prince of Wales "More and more companies do now accept the need to handle environmental issues in a strategic way, integrating such concerns at the very heart of management systems and decision-making processes." |
