Cyprus to organise “Business Awards for the Environment”

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Photis Photiou announced that his Ministry has undertaken to organise and manage a competition titled “Business Awards for the Environment,” a move welcomed by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE).
Photiou expressed hope that it would be yet another motive for enterprises to show their interest in the sustainability of the country.
”We expect a significant number of applications,” the Minister said, adding that the whole project would be based on the respective European competition. The European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) are designed to recognise and promote organisations which make an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. Every two years, the European Commission rewards selected companies that demonstrate their commitment to putting sustainable development into action.
KEVE has already begun informing its members about the competition and encouraging them to participate.
Photiou noted that a committee has been set up to advise the Ministry and the Environment Department on the businesses that have shown sensitivity to the environment and sustainable development in general.
The awards will be given for environmental management, product or service, technology or productive procedure, international cooperation, and special prizes for small businesses. Three prizes will be awarded for each category, with the first prize being CYP5,000 or EUR 8.500.
Photiou said that the competition proves in practice that the Government acknowledges the importance of cultivating environmental awareness and responsibility.
He added that in the evaluation process, the innovative approach towards management, the creation of products, the implementation of technology or productive procedure, and the establishment of international cooperation on behalf of the enterprises will be taken into account.