A&P Falmouth Wins Top Honour at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Sustainability Awards

A Cornish shipyard that has cut emissions by supplying clean energy directly to maritime vessels has been named overall winner at the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Sustainability Awards.

Top Honours for A&P Falmouth

The APCL A&P Falmouth Shore Power Project took home two awards at the ceremony held on Friday at the National Maritime Museum. Alongside its overall title, it also won the low carbon leader in business category.

A&P, the Statutory Harbour Authority for Falmouth Docks, has completed a £12 million sustainable power project that provides shoreside power connections for port users including cruise liners and other commercial vessels. The government-funded work reduces emissions and helps tackle noise pollution and air quality in port areas.

Judges praised the company’s efforts to reduce the maritime industry’s environmental impact.

Now in its 23rd year, the awards hosted by Cornwall Council celebrate organisations and individuals across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for their work in sustainability, environmental growth, circular economy and nature recovery.

Cllr Loic Rich, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and climate change and one of the judges, said:

“The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Sustainability Awards celebrate our collective, sustainable vision for the region and the planet.

“We have a range of energetic and enthusiastic businesses, groups and individuals wanting to change the way we think and act about safeguarding our environment right on our doorstep.

“These awards showcase our community efforts to repair and heal nature, right here across our Duchy, but with a global vision.

“A huge congratulations to all our entrants and winners and thank you to everyone who attended our awards evening.”

Mike Spicer, managing director at APCL A&P Falmouth, said:

“We are truly honoured to have secured both awards, which recognises the contribution APCL has made in tackling emissions and noise pollution in Falmouth.

“Sustainable shore power plays a vital role in global and national efforts to reduce the impact of the maritime industry on the environment, and the completion of this project is a key part of APCL’s strategy to achieve net zero across our operations by 2030.”

Category Winners Across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Trees for nature and growth – farmers and landowners
• Winner – Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park
• Runner-up – Trefusis Estate

Trees for nature and growth – communities and groups
• Winner – St Ives Community Orchard CIC
• Runner-up – United Downs Environment Group

Nature recovery
• Winner – Our Only World
• Runner-up – Royal Air Force St Mawgan
• Highly commended – Trevisker Community Meadow CIC

Nature-friendly farming
• Winner – Presingoll Farm
• Runner-up – Treveddoe Farm
• Highly commended – Carvannel Farm

Sustainable food or drink
• Winner – Falmouth Food Cooperative
• Runner-up – Pysk Ltd
• Highly commended – Atlantic Brewery

Circular economy
• Winner – Goonvean Aggregates Ltd
• Runner-up – The Lost Garden of Heligan
• Highly commended – Bridge Bike Hire

Low carbon leader – voluntary sector
• Winner – Farm Carbon Toolkit
• Runner-up – Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum – Green Footsteps Guide

Low carbon leader – business sector
• Winner – A&P Falmouth Shore Power Project
• Runner-up – Hiyield

Most sustainable organisation – small
• Winner – Tregony Village Hall

Most sustainable organisation – medium
• Winner – Boconnoc Estate

Most sustainable organisation – large
• Winner – Headland Hotel

Mark Duddridge award for a sustainable vision for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
• Winner – Our Only World

Overall winner
• Winner – A&P Falmouth Shore Power Project

Lifetime achievement award
• Winner – Matt Hocking, Leap

Event Hosts and Speakers

This year’s judges were Kim Conchie, John Brown, Lord Robin Teverson, Cllr Loic Rich, Clare Parnell, Gitty Ankers MBE, Justin Olosunde and Simon Thomason.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Jane Hartley opened the event, which was hosted by Justin Olosunde. Keynote speaker Sacha Dench, known as the Human Swan, spoke about her journey following migratory birds and her work with Conservation Without Borders.