COP17: Top business leadership recognized at Gigaton Awards in Durban

DURBAN: Members of The Climate Group, Philips and Suntech have both received Gigaton Awards, which celebrate the impressive work many top businesses are doing to limit dangerous climate change and lead the Clean Revolution. 

Presented by the Carbon War Room, Gigaton Throwdown and the World Climate Summit, awards were given to Philips and Suntech at a special ceremony in Durban during COP17 this weekend. 

The Gigaton Awards, which Centrica, Schneider Electric, Swisscom and Tesco also received, are given to businesses in recognition of their ‘outstanding business leadership’ in reducing carbon emissions over the past year.

25 nominated firms were judged by the 22-strong Gigaton Academy, which consists of senior executives of the UNFCCC, IPCC, national governments, NGOs and leading corporates including Ernst & Young, Siemens and Yahoo.

The top Gigaton Prize was won by member of The Climate Group, Suntech, of which judges applauded for its substantial economic growth that has also stimulated the wider renewables industry.

The 2011 Best-In-Class Gigaton Awards were presented as follows:

• Consumer Discretionary: Tesco plc, UK, for its chain emission reductions and Knowledge Hub which showcases carbon reduction plans and training pilots
• Consumer Staples: Philips, Netherlands, for its EcoDesign process, which identifies environmental impacts through energy efficiency, recycling and other means
• Industrials: Schneider Electric, France, for leadership in energy efficiency and smart grid development 
• Telecommunications: Swisscom, Switzerland for its green ICT products and services portfolio
• Utilities: Centrica, UK for its ‘energy in a low carbon world program’ which enables consumers to generate their own low carbon energy 

This year, a new Special Gigaton prize was awarded to Germany, as the country with the most inspiring level of low carbon energy investment and deployment. 

Sir Richard Branson, Co-Founder, Carbon War Room said: “We applaud the 2011 Gigaton winners for their outstanding efforts that will set the industry standard in carbon reduction and sustainability. My fellow Academy of judges picked the very best companies from a great shortlist, and we look forward to seeing the ripple effect their efforts will inspire.”

Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group attended the awards ceremony during COP17 and said: “Congratulations to our partners Philips and Suntech for receiving these well-deserved awards. It is essential that we recognize businesses that continue to curb their own and their customers’ emissions and do so as a core part of their business strategies, to showcase how low carbon growth is forging our economy. Businesses such as the six award-winners are steering similarly pioneering companies in the right direction with their remarkable and continuing success stories. I look forward to seeing more of our members awarded for their leading work in the Clean Revolution.”

Read more about Suntech and Philips 

See more companies that we have showcased for their leadership roles in the Clean Revolution