Yorkshire Post Environment Awards: The Sponsors

CO2 Sense Yorkshire

CO2Sense Yorkshire is the publicly-funded body set up to

help the region's businesses cope with the transition to a low carbon economy.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, CO2Sense sponsored both the Best Environmental Business Award and the overall awards ceremony.

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The not-for-profit body works with companies from across Yorkshire to help them meet their legal obligations on environmental matters as well as reduce their emissions, increase their resource efficiency and reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

Chief executive Joanne Pollard said: "Through our work with hundreds of businesses in the region, we see so many inspirational examples of businesses fighting climate change. From innovative new ideas for cutting emissions and reducing waste to new ways of using resources more efficiently, we're constantly impressed with the great work that's happening here in Yorkshire. This work deserves celebrating."

CO2Sense has a team of environmental experts and a network of specialist partners, meaning it can offer firms a comprehensive range of practical support, advice and funding.

Current major projects include the development of a major carbon capture and storage network across Yorkshire, which it hopes will one day slash the region's CO2 emissions by enabling large polluters to bury their emissions beneath the North Sea.

Asda

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FOOD store giant Asda has set itself three main environmental "aspirations" which it hopes to achieve – being powered entirely by renewable energy, creating zero waste and selling products which are environmentally sustainable.

Julian Walker-Palin, head of corporate policy for sustainability and ethics at the firm's headquarters in Leeds, said: "Our stores emit 20 per cent less carbon than they did in 2005. Some of the changes we have made have been technical, and some behavioural.

"We have looked at lighting, heating and air conditions systems, for example, and replaced some equipment with more efficient models."

Grant Thornton

ACCOUNTANCY firm Grant Thornton UK LLP has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental issues after sponsoring an award for the second consecutive year.

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Mark Burke, partner at Grant Thornton's Leeds office, said: "As a firm, we are committed to continually improving and promoting sound environmental practice. We also believe environmental protection is a strategic business issue, and an integral part of our business strategy.

"We believe energy is the battleground of the future, with green energy solutions becoming ever more crucial."

Northern Gas Networks

UTILITY firm Northern Gas Networks owns the region's gas pipelines and is responsible for distributing gas to homes and businesses across the North of England.

The firm has pioneered a method of recycling that has reduced waste from its vast roadworks operation.

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Dave Hutchison, head of health, safety and environment, said: "Caring for the environment is embedded in all our daily operations. This includes recycling the spoil we generate from our excavations and taking care that we do not contaminate drains or waterways."

Science City York

Formed 12 years ago as a partnership between York's Council and University, Science City York aims to help businesses develop and grow in cutting-edge fields such as bioscience and IT.

The body's new chief executive, Professor Nicola Spence, said: "The

Yorkshire Post Environment Awards are an opportunity for Science City York to publicly recognise, celebrate and share in the success York and the region offers in terms of world-class expertise in environmental

science.

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"Promoting success in innovation is inherent to our core aims and activities."

STS

WETHERBY-based STS is a major supplier and service provider of office equipment technology to businesses throughout the UK. Predominantly supplying network copiers, printers and scanners, STS has developed its own "R" range of recycled products to help firms cut carbon emissions.

Chief executive Peter Langstaff said the decisions that firms make over the sourcing of such equipment can have a serious impact on their carbon footprint.

He said: "Not only does STS supply state-of-the-art technology, we also have invested heavily in our own 'R' series brand of equipment and consumables."

Yorkshire Water

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AS one of the region's biggest consumers of energy, Yorkshire Water says it understands the role it must play in our low-carbon future.

The firm's One Million Green Fingers campaign has seen volunteers help create hundreds of sustainable gardens in primary schools across the region.

Anne Reed, Yorkshire Water's community relations manager, said: "We're committed to reducing our carbon emissions and operating more efficiently. Last year we increased our renewable energy generation by 25 per cent, meaning we now produce three per cent of all of our own electricity needs."

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