Allstate NI received Platinum Environmental Award

The Survey, carried out by ARENA Network and sponsored by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Belfast Harbour, annually assesses top businesses in Northern Ireland for environmental management, performance and assurance.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots, who gave the keynote address, said: "I congratulate all those businesses and organisations who have chosen to participate in this year's Survey. It is now firmly established that businesses who keep environmental issues on their agenda will see this translate into their economic bottom line."

The Minister continued: "The results show that more organisations have chosen to publicise their environmental performance with external stakeholders with 49% of participants reporting externally compared to 37% last year. This is an important step in raising the credibility of their environmental reporting.

"ARENA Network continues to review the Survey ensuring it keeps up to date with changes in business circumstances while remaining challenging for organisations. The planned Survey review in 2011 is a welcome step to maintain focus and will help keep the Survey relevant in the future."

Peter Dixon, Chair, ARENA Network explains: "This year, participation has once again increased. We had 143 organisations from 15 different sectors involved, reaching an average score is 72%, the highest since the Survey began. Impressively 19 organisations achieved platinum status, scoring 90% or more in the Survey and for the first time ever, there are no organisations in the lowest quintile."

"The resolution of companies in Northern Ireland to remain committed to making a positive impact on the environment is encouraging despite the economic challenges at present, and those which are to come."

The top results (in order of scoring) were achieved by: Michelin Tyre plc, Henry Brothers (Magherafelt) Ltd, Bombardier Aerospace, IKEA Belfast, John Graham (Dromore) Ltd, Kilwaughter Chemical Company Ltd, McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd, The Henderson Group, Dale Farm, Seagate Technology (Ireland) Ltd, NIE plc, Larne Borough Council, Western Education & Library Board, Farrans Group Limited, Moy Park Ltd, Patton Group, Translink, Allstate Northern Ireland and Belfast Harbour.

To download a copy of the Allstate NI Environmental Strategy click here.

To find out who else participated and how they scored, visit www.bitcni.org.uk.