The country’s most environmentally dedicated have been recognised in the annual
Green Ribbon Awards, a national acknowledgment of outstanding environmental
contributions made by individuals, organisations, businesses and communities.
This year the supreme winner is Villa Maria Estate, a family owned Auckland winery
applauded for its holistic approach to environmental best practice and its influence upon other businesses within its supply chain.
Environment Minister, Amy Adams, noted the winery is proof that environmental best-practice can boost profitability and be part of everyday business.
“The winery takes a holistic approach to environmental best practice, implementing a variety of effective initiatives nationwide. These range from growing grapes organically
through to projects that reduce the environmental effects of operations in the processing plant.
“Specific initiatives include reducing fungicide and pesticide applications, energy conservation, and a comprehensive package of emissions-reduction projects.”
A further twelve winners were selected from more than 280 entries this year, an increase of 68 on last year.
From organisations like the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust, recognised for their work to
halt the decline in seabirds on the West Coast to the small business leadership award to Celcius Coffee, winners have made substantial contributions to improving water and air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste, and boosting biodiversity by protecting coasts and oceans.
Adams says the awards recognise the often unsung heroes largely responsible for positive environmental outcomes.
“Volunteers play a significant role in all of this work, and the awards give them much-deserved public recognition, while providing others with ideas on how to get their
initiatives off the ground.”
The 2012 Green Ribbon Award winners:
Protecting our biodiversity:
Moehau Environment Group, with Meridian Energy (Coromandel)
Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions:
carboNZero Holdings (Auckland)
Caring for our water:
Waiau Trust – River Habitat Restoration (Invercargill)
Minimising our waste:
Go Bamboo (Gisborne)
Improving our air quality:
Nelson City Council (Nelson)
Protecting our coasts and oceans:
West Coast Blue Penguin Trust (West Coast)
Communication and education:
Hurunui College – Nina Valley Restoration Group (Canterbury)
Community leadership:
Te Ara Kakariki – Greenway Canterbury Trust (Canterbury)
Small business leadership:
Celcius Coffee (Wellington)
Large business leadership:
Villa Maria Estate (Auckland)
Public sector leadership:
Nelson City Council (Nelson)
Green economy:
Yealands Estate (Marlborough)
Supreme Award Winner:
Villa Maria Estate (Auckland)
To find out more about the winners click here.
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