Sir David Attenborough, who turned 90 this month, was crowned Lifetime Achiever at the Green Ribbon Political Awards. The event which celebrate greatest environmental achievements of the UK and international politicians, business and charities, was held at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion last Tuesday evening.
Attended by around 100 guests, the ceremony is facilitated each year by charity, the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management, or CIWEM. Among the recipients of the 12 awards were: Parliamentarians of the Year, Nick Hurd MP and Catherine Bearder MEP; Business Commitment to the Environment, Tesla; Most Inspirational Figure Internationally, HH Pope Francis; and The Guardian for Best Environmental Journalism.
Volkswagen, the car company, described as “wretched” by host Jonathan Porritt, was crowned with a Grey Ribbon, the only of its kind, for its use of cheat devices for emissions tests in its cars. CIWEM’s CEO Terry Fuller said: “As a professional institution we are staunchly independent and apolitical. We engage enthusiastically with parliamentarians of all political persuasion, advising where we can and helping to educate and drive forward effective solutions to a full range of environmental challenges.” Much credit to Shirel Stedman, pictured, who joined CIWEM as its Managing Director at the start of 2016 for her active behind-the-scenes work, on raising awareness of important environmental issues, particularly among diverse communities.
A leader in her own right, Shirel lives in Coventry and commutes to London trying to help make a real and lasting difference to our environment. Award-winner Laurent Fabius, former French Foreign Minister, referenced Indian Premier Narendra Modi in his keynote speech, praising India’s strategy on Climate Change. For full list of winners and more information visit www.ciwem.org/greenribbon
