Westmorland and Furness Council have been confirmed as winners in two popular categories at this year’s UK Green Business Awards for major projects and strategies associated with their approach to decarbonisation for the area.
This year's awards received nearly 500 entries, including submissions from many of the UK's most successful and high-profile businesses. Finalists were selected based on their commitment to sustainability and innovation in the green economy. To win on a national level against strong competition, evidences the council’s status as a leader in terms of its innovative approach to decarbonisation.
The council was shortlisted for three awards and were voted as winners for their submissions for the ‘Green Building Project of the Year’ for the retrofit of Voreda House, the UK’s first council office building to achieve Passivhaus EnerPHit accreditation and ‘Net Zero Strategy of the Year’ for the progress made during 2024, the first year in the council’s five-year plan to become net zero by 2037.
This is the third win so far this year for the council’s submission ‘2024: the First Year in Our Journey to Net Zero’, with judges at both the national Green Energy Awards and the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) Awards recognising the significant steps made to date and the strength of future strategies and plans.
Cllr Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
“What a fantastic achievement for our council officers and members who have worked hard to deliver pioneering projects, getting us off to a great start in our journey to becoming net zero by 2037. Congratulations to all who are involved.”
“Our role is not just to decarbonise our own property and fleet, but also to work with partners such as Zero Carbon Cumbria, Parish and Town Councils and community groups to achieve net zero in our area. I believe we have made a fantastic start in that endeavour.”
Pictured with award hosts are Cllr Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services and Allan Harty Assistant Director for Corporate Assets, Fleet & Capital Programme.