Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is celebrating winning the RSPB Nature of Scotland award 2020 Business category for its ground-breaking work in engaging local businesses in sustainable development.
The award recognises the fantastic work our UNESCO Biosphere has been doing to engage local businesses in sustainable development.
Aimed at championing sustainable development, the programme starts through engaging businesses at local events, on social media and one to one business visits. This has resulted in over 170 businesses from across Galloway and Southern Ayrshire having committed to our sustainability charter by signing up as a Biosphere Proud Supporter. In return for their commitment they receive a certificate, window sticker, a listing on the Biosphere website and invites to networking events.
The business networking events (online and in person) share news on Biosphere developments and with a strong focus on sustainability and collaboration they explore how by working together businesses can be part of something bigger. Businesses are encouraged to use the Biosphere Sense of Place toolkit to help guide them in “telling a story” that celebrates the local distinctiveness of their products, services and place.
An example of the success of this collaboration is five Business Proud Supporters who together created an eco-tourism package for a travel blogger, Kathi Kamleitner of the “Watch Me See” Scottish travel blog. The blog resulted in our Biosphere being highlighted as one of the top 10 list of must-see places in Scotland.
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere have also led the way in developing a UNESCO Biosphere Business Certification scheme. It is the only one in UK and one of only a few in Europe, where research has shown it can add significantly to the local economy. Aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, businesses undertake a detailed audit of the way they operate, their impact on the local environment, support for the local economy and integration with their local community. Since its launch in 2018, 25 businesses have gone through the Certification scheme ranging from local accommodation and activity providers to food producers and a biomass wood pellet manufacturer.
Over the course of the last two or three years’ businesses have joined our UNESCO Biosphere on international learning journeys to Biospheres in Finland and Germany to experience how they celebrate the UNESCO designation. They have also contributed to reciprocal visits from international visitors wanting to learn more about what we are doing in SW Scotland. This has reinforced their commitment to the opportunities that the UNESCO designation offers our region.
On hearing the outcome of the award Biosphere Manager Ed Forrest said, “We are absolutely thrilled that our work with local businesses has been recognised in this way, it really is testimony to the partnership working of the Biosphere and the commitment of local business to work together to create a more sustainable future for all of us.”
Dr Joan Mitchell Chair of the Biosphere Partnership Board singled out the work of Biosphere Business Development Officer Marie McNulty when she said “Marie’s open, friendly and understanding approach to local businesses has been key to getting people involved, helping them to recognise the good things they are already doing and some of the changes they could make to improve their local offer.”
She went on to say “On the back of the recent announcement of £1.9M funding from the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency this really shows that our UNESCO Biosphere has a key role to play in promoting and developing new ways of working that will make the region an exemplar of sustainability best practice.”
The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere
- Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been recognised internationally as a world class environment for people and nature.
The UNESCO Biosphere designation is recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers for communities, businesses and visitors to experience and celebrate in a sustainable way.
The Biosphere designation brings no new rules or regulations but rather encourages us to work together to create a better future for people and nature.
- A UNESCO Biosphere:
- is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to areas renowned for their exceptional environments which are valued by local people. They are places of cooperation and collaboration that show that a sustainable way of living is not only possible but already happening.
- has four main functions:
- Conservation: promoting the preservation of wildlife, habitats and landscape.
- Learning: supporting a better understanding of nature and global issues.
- Development: fostering a sustainable economy and society.
- Climate Change: supporting mitigation and adaptation in a changing global environment
- is an area that demonstrates a way of living and working that benefits people and nature.
- The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere was the first in Scotland and is part of a family of over 700 Biospheres worldwide.
- The Biosphere Partnership is a charity with representation from communities, businesses, organisations and agencies that have an interest in the region.
- For More Information gsabiosphere.org.uk
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