The Sustainability Champions Awards 2013, sponsored by RBS, were announced last night with the Co-operative group scooping a winner and runner-up prize.

The wide-reaching group, which includes pharmacies, funeral homes and grocers, won the ‘Best Building or Property Project‘ award as well as the runner-up award for it‘s Energy & Carbon Management (long term).

Martin Chilcott, founder and CEO of 2degrees said he was ”overwhelmed by the sheer quality and number of entries that was received”. He said: “Putting the 2degrees community at the heart of the awards ensured an expert opinion was held throughout the decision process. This also created direct stakeholder engagement opportunities for companies and individuals around broad sustainability issues.”

The awards asked 2degrees‘ 32,000 members to cast their votes in favour of each company or person. The idea was based on peer-to-peer voting and seeked to reward companies for sustainable business ideas.

Daniella Vega from Sky was voted the Sustainability Champion of the Year and Lucy Findlay from Social Enterprise Mark Company recognised as the Supporting Player of the Year at the event held at Lord‘s Cricket Ground in London.

David Attenborough, who is a patron for membership organisation Population Matters, was voted personality of the year.

2degrees membership consists of 32,000 plus individual professionals and businesses, who use an online platform and unique events program to share best practice and solve common business problems together.