Organisations and small businesses have been praised for their contributions towards the island’s sustainability.

Knockaloe Beg Farm, the Western Civic Amenity, Flo the Coffee Van and Beach Buddies were named as winners at the first UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Awards on Monday (October 8). They were selected from a total of 30 entries.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK presented the awards for efforts towards education and public awareness, energy, environment and economic sustainability at a ceremony held in the Legislative Buildings.

He said: ’All of us here today have two things in common - our love of this wonderful island and a desire to ensure its long term success and sustainability.

’Our biosphere status reflects the fact that our outstanding natural environment is interwoven with our durable and stable economy, our incredibly strong sense of community and with the rich culture and heritage that have shaped us as a nation over generations.’

Knockaloe Beg Farm in Patrick received the award for education and public awareness, as owners John and Fiona Anderson have been ’passing on their passion for the environment, agriculture and community’ through open days and school visits.

Mike Rose, manager of the Western Civic Amenite energy as the site has installed solar systems, low energy lighting, and uses electric collection vehicles.

Bill Dale BEM, founder of the Beach Buddies charity, collected the Environment award for the charity’s efforts in encouraging around 10,000 volunteers to clean up litter from Manx shores, as well as delivering educational messages to the whole community.

Flo the Coffee Van received the award for economic sustainability as owners Annabel and Stuart Gentry have made great efforts to support island producers, minimise waste, avoid plastics and other initiatives.

The awards were hand-crafted with island-grown larch by Dave Newsham, who works at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s sawmill.

Pupils from Dhoon School - which held a ’Bright Futures’ conference with Laxey School this year to discuss environmental challenges - created a video of the event.

And a thought-provoking film of a dance performed by Queen Elizabeth II High School students on Peel beach, highlighting the threat to the environment posed by single-use plastics, was screened.

Dr Ken Milne, the government’s director of energy policy, chaired the event.

His fellow judges included: Chris Allen, president of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce; Dr Richard Selman of DEFA; Jo Callister, advisory teacher for the Manx curriculum at the Department of Education; Dr Richard Bujko from Manx Utilities, and George Fincher from the Manx Energy Advice Centre.