Green revolution

The annual event honoured the men, women and children who are playing important roles in helping to make our region a better place to live in a changing world.

All deserve to be recognised for their efforts, and their recognition that "doing nothing" is not a sustainable solution to the changing environment.

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary and Leeds MP, spoke eloquently of the duty that each of us has to ensure that future generations live in a clean and stable world.

And he acknowledged the progress made so far by evoking the iconic words of Jerusalem: "Technology, effort and enterprise are starting to build, once more, a green and pleasant land."

This quest is particularly borne out by the pioneering work of

Yorkshire Forward. It has helped to transform this region from Britain's biggest polluter into a global environmental leader, a point that should be noted by those questioning the body's future role.

The Yorkshire Post congratulates all the winners and shortlisted companies. They are making sure that Yorkshire is at the forefront of a new green revolution. For others, the challenge now is to emulate the stories and initiatives that we are proud to champion today.