The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, through the Biodiversity Foundation, announces the 2013-2014 edition of the European Business Awards for the Environment, awards that recognise and reward those companies that contribute to sustainable economic development.

These Awards have been held in Spain since 1997 and represent important recognition for the winning companies by society and the world of business and sustainability. Since 2013, the Biodiversity Foundation has been the entity in charge of managing the Spanish section of the awards.

This edition of the Awards is divided into four categories that highlight innovative aspects of business management that contribute to sustainable development. Thus, companies that have a strategic vision equipped with innovative management systems and tools will be rewarded. In another category, the development and/or implementation of a product or service that seeks that objective will be recognized. The development and/or application of a new production technology will also be awarded and, finally, an international cooperation project that contributes to sustainable development in which at least one Spanish company and an entity from the private or public sector, NGOs or academia from a developing country are involved. or a country with an economy in transition.

A special category “Business and Biodiversity” has also been created, the winner of which will be selected from among the companies that apply for one of the four previous categories and that stands out for their contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Within each category, SMEs and large companies will be awarded independently. In addition, the winners of the Spanish section will participate in the European contest.

Applications must be submitted by filling in an official form that can be downloaded here and the deadline for submitting them will be open until January 31, 2014. The Biodiversity Foundation will convene a Jury that will select the winners. The awards ceremony will take place throughout the spring of 2014

The management of these awards by the Biodiversity Foundation is in line with its objective of boosting economic activity linked to the environment, promoting the sustainability of companies and encouraging employment and the creation and consolidation of green companies.