The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, through the Biodiversity Foundation, has launched the fourth edition of the Responsible Beach Bar Awards, awards that recognize the best environmental initiatives adopted by beachfront hospitality establishments that contribute to the conservation of the natural environment where they carry out their economic activity.
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Federico Ramos, has valued that this type of establishment “is a great ally in the defence of our coasts because they are the first ones interested in the environment being very well preserved”.
He stressed that these awards are part of the coastal policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, with the objectives “of strengthening the protection of the coastline and making it compatible with sustainable economic activities and with the common and free use of the public domain”.
“These awards recognize the best environmental initiatives that have been developed by beachfront hospitality establishments to improve the relationship with the environment and biodiversity,” Ramos said.
Until June 22, this type of establishments that meet all the requirements established in current regulations, can submit their candidacies for these awards, which have already distributed more than 50,000 euros in previous editions.
To do this, participants must adhere to the Decalogue of Good Environmental Practices for Beach Bars, to which 640 establishments belonging to 6 of the 10 coastal Autonomous Communities have joined. The establishment that joins or renews its membership will receive a badge of its collaboration.
The Responsible Beach Bars Awards are convened within the framework of the “Coastal Conservation Actions” program coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation, an initiative that aims to promote the sustainable development of economic and tourist activities on the coast, in this case through the dissemination of good environmental practices among beachfront hospitality establishments.
Since its first edition, in 2012, a total of 175 beach bars have participated in the awards and up to 300 initiatives have been developed. In 2012, 34 candidacies were submitted, while in 2013 there were 65 participants and in 2014 up to 76 beach bars opted for the awards.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IV EDITION
In this edition, interested beach bars will be able to compete in two non-exclusive categories: “Developed Initiatives”, which has five prizes of 1,500 euros each, and “Special Mention of the Public in Social Networks”, also endowed with 1,500 euros. The latter, whose participation period will begin on July 10 and end on August 31, will be eligible for the 10 finalists chosen by the jury of the awards. The winner of this Mention will be chosen by all those customers of establishments and the general public through a vote that will be established for this purpose on social networks.
To participate in the IV Responsible Beach Bar Awards, you must fill out a form and meet some requirements that are published on the website: www.fundacion-biodiversidad.es
