Today, the Business Intelligence Group announced the 2021 Sustainability Awards. Among the honorees are the Dark Sky® Association, with Dark Sky® Alqueva receiving the Sustainability Leadership Award, and Apolónia Rodrigues receiving the Sustainability Hero award. The Sustainability Awards recognize individuals, teams, and organizations that have made sustainability an integral part of their business practices or overall mission.
In the words of Apolónia Rodrigues, President of Dark Sky®, “it is a great honor to receive this distinction because it represents recognition of more than twenty years of work dedicated to sustainability. Sustainability has always been part of everything I have developed as a destination manager and planner, whether through the first international project I participated in back in 1998, ‘Learning Sustainability,’ or as a member, since 2005, of the group created by the European Commission’s DG Grow, the Tourism Sustainability Group. But the most comprehensive work began in 2007, when it became possible to apply from the ground up the integrated sustainable development model for destinations that I had been refining over the years. Therefore, without a doubt, the creation and implementation of the Dark Sky® destination concept and brand is where I was able to apply the concept of sustainability as it should truly be considered. However, it has also been possible to apply this knowledge to other projects that can further enhance the value of Alentejo and Portugal, such as the European Network of Places of Peace, created in 2010 in Evoramonte, in which I coordinate the Places of Peace Route.”
Miguel Claro, Official Astrophotographer of Dark Sky®, adds: “these awards and recognitions are an important contribution to our demanding behind-the-scenes work in trying to change mindsets and open doors, while also raising awareness among national politicians and world leaders about the need to reduce the growing problem of light pollution—something truly fundamental to the Dark Sky® mission. Only a pristine sky allows us to restore the magic of a starry sky that light pollution has gradually been taking away.”
“We are proud to reward and recognize the Dark Sky® Association / Dark Sky® Alqueva and Apolónia Rodrigues for their efforts in sustainability,” said Maria Jimenez, Director of Nominations at the Business Intelligence Group. “It was clear to our judges that the vision and strategy will continue to deliver results toward a cleaner and more sustainable world. Congratulations!”
Since 2019, Dark Sky® Alqueva has continued to incorporate improvements in its exhibition offerings, strengthen its sustainability strategy and risk management model, diversify its range of activities, and promote the integration of new units within its network of local partners. The Dark Sky® destination concept and brand has also grown nationally through regional partnerships, leading to the creation of Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto in partnership with ADXTUR, and Dark Sky® Vale do Tua in partnership with ADRVT. Together with Dark Sky® Alqueva, these initiatives form the Dark Sky® PORTUGAL Network, positioning the country as a strong candidate for an internationally recognized destination in astrotourism and sustainability.
Official announcement link: https://www.bintelligence.com/blog/2021/9/7/71-sustainability award-winners-highlight-global-successes
About the Business Intelligence Group:
The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry awards programs, it is executives – those with experience and knowledge – who join the jury and judge the programs. The organization’s unique, proprietary scoring system selectively measures performance across various business domains and then rewards companies whose achievements surpass those of their peers.
