Pictured above from left to right, David Darlaston (Business in the Community), Jill Pollard (Wolseley UK) and Sue Prince (Advantage West Midlands).

Nine of the 'greenest' businesses in the West Midlands celebrated their commitment to reducing climate change, after picking up major titles at a new awards scheme.

Organised by Business in the Community and supported by Advantage West Midlands, the first ever West Midlands C+ Carbon Positive Awards reached a thrilling climax, with a city centre property developer, a high profile energy supplier and a pedal powered taxi firm in the heart of Hereford amongst the inaugural winners.

Leading the way were Wolseley UK, who picked up the judges special 'Carbon Positive Pioneer of the Year' trophy for having the biggest impact on the West Midlands to add to its earlier success in the Consumer Choices 50 employees+ category.

The provider of building products and material was recognised for the outstanding work and innovation of its £3.2 million Sustainable Building Centre in Leamington Spa, which acts as an interactive hub for decision-makers to find out more about 7,000 sustainable products.

These include photovoltaics, micro wind, sedum roof, e-glazing and rainwater harvesting, not to mention biomass and green floor coverings.

David Darlaston, Regional Director of Business in the Community, was delighted with the response from the region.

He said: "This is the first year we have held the C+ Awards and we had over 50 entries, with the winners providing a clear indication of the quality, the innovation and the commitment clearly present in big businesses, small firms and community organisations.

"It is vitally important for our region to embrace the Carbon Reduction Commitment and these accolades will perform a dual role in promoting the companies who are leading the way and act as inspirations for others to follow."

Sue Prince, OBE, board member at Advantage West Midlands, said: "Given the difficult circumstances of the economic downturn - businesses are facing the toughest conditions for 60 years - these awards are a marvellous opportunity to recognise and share the success that firms are achieving to maintain the West Midlands' reputation for innovation, industrial ingenuity and entrepreneurship.

"Every winner and all the runners-up have broken new ground in investing in the innovation and enterprise today that will build a more prosperous and sustainable region for tomorrow.

"Other key sponsors of this year's competition were Sustainability West Midlands, the Midlands Environmental Business Company, the Birmingham Environmental Partnership and Argent, which hosted the event at its Eleven Brindleyplace premises.

Herefordshire performed particularly well in the competition with Amcor Flexibles (a market leader in flexible packaging to the fresh produce market), Caplor (a farm diversification project) and Hereford Pedicabs winning the C+ Positive Footprints 50+, C+ Positive Footprints and C+ Micro awards respectively.

The latter, which operates two pedal-powered, zero-emission cabs, has been a major success in providing both a local taxi firm and same day cargo delivery service.

Warwickshire, not wanting to be out done, also had three winners with National Grid (C+ Cutting Edge 50+ employees) and Encraft (C+ Cutting Edge) joining Wolseley on the winners' podium.

Mr Darlaston added: "We also wanted to recognise the efforts of community organisations and the winners in this category were Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group (WFEG), with Family Housing Association and The Fold Bransford Community Interest Company both highly commended.

"WFEG were praised for their ability to bring everyone in the parish together, in order to create one of the UK's first low carbon communities. This involves help on a host of campaigns around saving energy and reducing travel - a real model for others to follow.

"The final prizes handed out were to property developers Calthorpe Estates (C+ Consumer Choices) and awards by the Birmingham Environmental Partnership, which were open to organisations from the City only. Enpure, an engineering process specialist, took the main title and Brindleyplace the highly commended.

The Carbon+ Awards were held as part of the Prince's May Day Summit on Climate Change, which involved 13 events across the country and representatives from over 1100 businesses.

It also coincided with the latest BITC research on attitudes toward the Carbon Reduction Commitment that revealed the West Midlands is better prepared than most to adapt to the new law. 

Over 50% of bosses questioned had completed audits for annual energy consumption and more than 45% had set reduced emission targets. Furthermore, 40% of organisations have introduced energy efficient measures, but alarmingly only 5% had improved product design to reduce carbon emissions - the joint lowest in the UK.