The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment revealed today at the opening of 11th Regional on Environmental Education and Eco-Schools that the Government of the Azores has decided to create a regional award intended to encourage and reward good environmental practices by regional companies.

Luís Neto Viveiros stated that he intends to foster the involvement of private entities in the development of a green economy, through the creation, next year, of "a new award that will distinguish the implementation of good environmental practices in the business sector."

"This eco-award is similar to the Myosotis award, an initiative that aims to recognise and distinguish regional accommodation establishments investing in sustainable tourism, and it is now in its 4th edition," added the Regional Secretary. The government official stressed that "this initiative has already distinguished accommodation establishment on all islands, making up a total of 47 hotel units, which corresponds to 25% of the Region's hotel offer."

At the opening session of this meeting, which will be held, simultaneously, in the cities of Horta and Ponta Delgada through videoconferencing, Luís Neto Viveiros considered that "the investment in the implementation of partnerships, either formal or informal, is fundamental within the different initiatives to mobilise society."

"I want to highlight the role of our partners that have been playing an active role in the areas of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development, namely schools, universities, municipalities, non-governmental organisations, local associations and companies," stressed the government official.

Underlining the venue chosen for the organisation of this meeting, the Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School, Luís Neto Viveiros stressed the importance of Eco-Schools, an international programme that aims to encourage environmental actions and acknowledge the quality work developed under Environmental Education.

"This year, 77 Eco-Schools participated in this programme. On Friday, the 70 schools that have achieved the stipulated goals will receive the Eco-School award." Moreover, "the 18 partner municipalities that support this initiative will also be distinguished on the same day, which virtually represents all municipalities in the Azores," revealed the government official.

The Regional Secretary also "praised" the efforts undertaken by the two municipalities that will be distinguished with the Eco XXI award on Friday - Lajes do Pico and São Roque do Pico. According to him, this is "an ambitious award with proposed goals that are difficult to meet. Its aim is to promote the identification and recognition of good sustainability practices implemented at a municipal level."

"It is the education for a green future that keeps us moving forward," Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official added that the School Park 2014/2015 will organise over two hundred environmental awareness actions addressed at schools, with the collaboration and "motivation of teachers to disseminate this educational offer among students."

For the Regional Secretary, environmental education "is the most important assurance we may have to preserve our natural heritage and our way of life."