ENTRIES for the latest round of Sustainable Business Awards has been the strongest yet.

The awards recognise and reward businesses in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for their achievements in becoming more sustainable - taking action on their environmental, social and economic impacts.

There are five categories in the scheme: Small, Medium and Large Business, Environmental Innovation and Technology, and the new Leadership Award, sponsored by Newsquest, owners of the Hampshire Chronicle.

Stephen Duncan, manager of the Sustainable Business Partnership, which runs the awards, said: "We are absolutely delighted by the response, and the standard of entries has been extremely high.

"It is very encouraging to discover that there are so many businesses out there who are making a difference, and we have received some inspirational examples of the sorts of things that can be achieved."

Successful applicants will be invited to complete a more detailed form over the Christmas period exploring the various measures they have put in place, before being visited by an independent assessor in the New Year.

Final reports will be put to a panel of judges who will decide which businesses triumph, and which will be announced overall Sustainable Business of the Year at a glamorous event at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton, in May 2007.

Recent news stories have served to underline the importance of sustainability in business.

The publication of the Stern Report has positioned climate change as an economic issue, and there is a growing awareness that in order to remain viable in the future, businesses must start to take action now.

The good news is that for those businesses who choose to meet the issue head on, there are great opportunities, as examples of past awards winners have demonstrated.

Isle of Wight-based GKN Aerospace, overall winners of the 2005 awards, was chosen by the judges for its inspirational reinvention following the September 11 disaster in 2001.

Its recovery has profound importance for the local economy, and its employment and training policies reflect GKN's commitment to its staff.

This was matched by a determination to reduce its environmental impacts which saw a significant reduction in waste, with more than 237 tonnes recycled annually.

And it is not just large businesses for whom these issues are important, or profitable. Small businesses are increasingly recognising the opportunities available to them, as demonstrated by the deluge of applications received for this particular category.

Sponsors of the categories are: Newsquest: Leadership Award Business Link Wessex: Environmental Innovation and Technology EADS Astrium: Small Business Hampshire County Council Economic Development Office: Medium Business (TBC) Large Business Other sponsors of the awards are: Hillier Nurseries; Scott Wilson; Environmental Project Consulting Group; B&Q; Groundwork Solent; Veolia

8:20am Monday 18th December 2006

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