Following stiff competition from companies across Scotland, the Vision in Business for the Environment of  Scotland (Vibes) Awards judges’ panel voted three Scottish businesses National winners:

› Large Company category – ScottishPower Renewables
› Medium Company category – Taypack Potatoes
› Small Company category – Xodus AURORA

Xodus AURORA impressed judges of Scotland’s leading environmental awards in Business for the Environment of Scotland – with its “practice what they preach” philosophy. Xodus AURORA use a ground source heat pump to heat its premises, reducing green house emissions associated with more traditional forms of heating. Initially facing some resistance from local contractors who had never undertaken a project of this nature before, Xodus AURORA persevered and one of the company’s senior consultants, Zoe Cairns is delighted that its dedication to improving the environment has been recognized. During the design stage of its offices, Xodus AURORA worked closely with the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office to create a building that would reduce environmental impact in numerous ways. It has eco-friendly features such as daylight and occupancy sensors on selected light fittings, low-energy glass, a sustainable drainage car-park and a green cone for organic waste. The company has managed to hugely reduce electricity usage, C02 emissions and water usage. It has cut its electricity bill by £1,095 per year with a forecast lifetime saving, over 20 years, of £21,891.

By winning the VIBES awards, the three National Winners can enter the European Environmental Awards in 2007 which attract around 200 entries per year from the cream of Europe’s most environmentally positive businesses. VIBES is the only award scheme in Scotland that feeds in to these prestigious European awards.