In just over a weeks time, the Sustainable City Awards will be open for business once again.

When I set these awards up back in 2000, I never thought that they would still be running over a decade later, yet the last few years, despite the economic downturn, have seen a near exponential increase in the number of firms applying.

I think that this is because during tough economic times, it's the organisations which focus on resource efficiency, supply chain value and innovation which best weather the storm.

Last year the awards (which cover 12 categories) had a big push on sustainable fish. This year we have joined forces with the British Fashion Council to create a new “Sustainable Fashion” Category.

In addition to attracting big high street names, awards will be made for best new designer, which will allow small brands their place on the catwalk.

Fashion and sustainability are a good mix as couture impacts on hearts and minds as well as the planet (for a fantastic example of fashion driving local sustainable economic growth look no further than the fabulous Thrifty Couture.).

Anyhow, in this years awards from fairtrade and organic to cutting edge fabrics and low carbon design, we are looking for designers and retailers who will be ambassadors for sustainability. I will let you know how we get on.




Some of last years winners