Press Release
Double Gold for Shetland Amenity Trust and Shetland Museum & Archives
Following a comprehensive assessment Shetland Amenity Trust and one of its core services, the Shetland Museum and Archives, have both achieved Gold Standards in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).
Due to its various environmental initiatives the Trust retains a gold level award, which it has held for many years. Joining the GTBS scheme in 2008, the Museum and Archives achieved a silver grading at the first assessment and have moved up to a gold rating on this occasion.
Carried out every two years, the grading assessments looked at nine different categories, including Management, Communication, Energy, Water, Purchasing, Nature and Culture, Waste Minimisation and Travel. To receive a gold rating the Trust and the Museum and Archives had to attain a certain number of points in each category, as well as an overall score above 80%. Achieving and maintaining this level of assessment is a notable accomplishment.
Sita Hughson, Environmental Improvement Project Officer with Shetland Amenity Trust, commented: “The environment is at the heart of the Trusts operations and we are committed to sustainable practices in all our areas of work. Our staff are delighted to have this environmental commitment recognised through the Trust’s continued GTBS gold rating and the Museum and Archives new gold rating.”
The assessor’s reports covered each area of the Trusts operations in detail, highlighting both good practice and areas for improvement. One of the comments made was: ‘The Shetland Amenity Trust and Museum and Archives staff are to be commended for all their hard work and enthusiasm on sustainable tourism issues.’
Sita added: “In line with its objectives, the Trust will continue to make environmental improvements to its operations and work with the local community and other agencies to both continue and expand its environmental initiatives.”