Environmental Awards

Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS)

What is it?

'Green tourism' is a term used to describe best environmental practice within the tourism sector. It covers issues such as business efficiency, environmental management, waste, transport, as well as topics like social responsibility and biodiversity. By agreeing to the GTBS code of conduct and through independent assessment of their activities, GTBS award winners have made a commitment towards reducing the impact of their business on the environment.

To gain a GTBS award, businesses are assessed once every two years by IEMA registered environmental auditors, who have considerable experience within the tourism sector. The businesses are graded against over 120 measures of best practice, reflecting a balance of environmental, economic and social issues. These cover everything from good management and communication to efficient lighting and heating, as well as things like nature conservation, local crafts and produce, renewable energy and community support and involvement.

Potential for Suffolk

In 2002 the East of England Tourist Board ran a regional pilot for GTBS. Unfortunately, due to funding constraints and the lack of the scheme being taken forward at national level EETB were unable to continue their commitment to its development. In 2004 the Brecks carried out a second phase pilot which saw an additional 3 Suffolk businesses take part. Currently 6 Suffolk businesses have achieved this award.

Gold
The Hall, Milden, The Mill, Lavenham, Suffolk

Silver
Blaxhall Youth Hostel, Blaxhall, Woodbridge, Suffolk
Earsham Park Farm, Earsham, Bungay, Suffolk
Park Farm, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk
Bike Art, High Lodge Forest Centre, Brandon, Suffolk

Bronze
West Stow Country Park, West Stow, Bury St Edmunds

Our aim at the Suffolk Tourism Partnership is to continue to promote and build on the success of those businesses that have already taken part in Suffolk and to investigate the scheme's further roll-out across the County. We are keen to see businesses achieve this worthwhile award. To register your interest in the scheme click here

To find out more about the national development of the scheme click here

David Bellamy Conservation Award

What is it?

Set up in 1996, under the auspices of the British Holiday and Home Park Association and the Conservation Foundation, the scheme assesses, advises and awards parks on their environmental performance. About 500 parks from across the country are now part of the scheme and this number is growing fast. The Awards are held annually, with parks placed in either Bronze, Silver or Gold categories. A special award is also made to those parks that have been ‘Gold' for five consecutive years. Conservation Foundation assessors and local environmental experts carry out the assessment of all participating parks. Each site is judged on 16 different criteria covering the main areas of wildlife conservation, park resource management and community partnership and visitor involvement. Visitors are also encouraged to send in reports on the parks they have visited.

Click here  for more information about the award.

There are currently 4 parks in Suffolk with this award.

Green Globe What is it?

GREEN GLOBE 21 is the worldwide benchmarking and certification program which facilitates sustainable travel and tourism for consumers, companies and communities. It is based on Agenda 21 and principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 governments at the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992. There are 4 GREEN GLOBE 21 Standards.  Click here  for more information about the award.

The Queens Award for Environmental Achievement

What is it?

To qualify for the Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement there must be a significant advance in the application by British industry of the development of products, technology or processes which offer major benefits in environmental terms compared to existing products, technology or processes. An award is only granted for products, technology or processes which have achieved commercial success. A significant advance and not just the natural development expected from a company of a particular size or structure, or in a particular industry is sought. http://www.queensawards.org.uk

Click here  to find out more about the award. The Queen's Awards Office, 151 Buckingham Palace Road , London , SW1 5QSS Tel: 0207 222 2277. Deadline for 2004: 31 October 2004 Awards announced: 21 April 2005