Southwest Scotland businesses encouraged to apply for award-winning sustainability accreditation
The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is encouraging businesses located within southwest Scotland’s UNESCO-designated region to apply for its award-winning Biosphere Certification Mark scheme, which recognises outstanding work towards sustainability goals.
GSAB Artist Julie Hollis with her Biosphere Certification Mark plaque. Photo credit: GSA Biosphere Partnership
First launched in 2018, the scheme has grown to cover multiple business sectors and welcomes all types of enterprise from sole trader micro-businesses to companies with international reach. Certification Mark awardees benefit from media and press promotions and are included in collaborative destination marketing campaigns, including with VisitScotland and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance. This summer the GSAB Partnership has launched a new digital interface giving applicants their own online account, complimenting the existing offer which includes advertising across social media platforms, access to e-learning resources and a private networking group on Facebook. The GSAB Partnership also hosts a series of peer-learning events each year with invited speakers and the chance to swap-and-share promotional material.
The Biosphere Certification Mark is one of a number of accreditations hosted by the GSAB Partnership, which includes Biosphere Guide Training and a Sustainable Event Charter. The organisation also offers Carbon Literacy Training for businesses, and a Business for Biodiversity workshop aimed at supporting managers to optimise outdoor spaces for wildlife. The Biosphere Certification Mark scheme is a previous winner of the Nature of Scotland Award and the GSAB Partnership is a finalist again this year in the Nature Tourism category, as well as being shortlisted in the 2025 South of Scotland Thistle Awards.
Jake McLaughlan is the GSAB Partnership’s Business Engagement Officer and guides applicants through a robust assessment process which offers site visits, one-to-one sustainability advice, and the expertise of the full officer team, which ranges from communications to land management. Jake says:
“This period between the high seasons of summer and Christmas is a great time to get an application in, and our team are here to support you all the way. The number of environmental accreditations around now is quite dizzying and we are proud that the Biosphere Certification Mark has a unique, targeted and tangible offer for businesses in D&G, South and East Ayrshire. We specialise in the challenges and opportunities of our region, in particular supporting rural and diversified land-based businesses and in helping small, independent enterprises significantly extend their reach as part of Scotland’s UNESCO Trail.”
The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is a charitable organisation working across the 9,700km² UNESCO region and its programme is supported by core funding from South of Scotland Enterprise and South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway Councils. More information about the Biosphere Certification Mark scheme is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk or email info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.