EFFORTS to become a more environmentally friendly service were recognised when Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, along with the other four North West fire and rescue services, won an award. 

The North West Fire and Rescue Services, who have a joint working group for sustainability, were presented with the EDIE Award for Environmental Excellence earlier in November.

EDIE, Europe's biggest environmental web journal, recognised the strides made by the five fire and rescue services in the region to improve their sustainability credentials.

 The awards celebrated the best of the past 12 months of sustainable business. 

Greater Manchester has contributed to that achievement by reducing its carbon footprint, using resources more effectively and making big reductions year-on-year in emissions. During 2010/2011 alone, the service reduced its total carbon footprint by more than 1000 tonnes (compared with taking no action at all). 

Among the winners there was individual recognition for Marks and Spencer, Coca Cola, Sainsbury's, Olympic Delivery Authority, Transport for London and the Carbon Trust. 

The North West Fire and Rescue Sustainability Network won the Public Sector Initiative award. 

GMFRS Director of Finance and Technical Services Ged Murphy said: "This award recognises the achievements of hundreds of people working to improve the long-term sustainability of the five regional Fire and Rescue Services. 

"The North West Fire and Rescue Service Sustainability Network has been a genuinely successful collaboration that has reduced duplication, highlighted the best practice and allowed us all to work together in an efficient, cost-effective way. 

"Collectively, the five services have reduced CO2 emissions from transport alone by more than 1600 tonnes and have successfully bid for thousands of pounds of grant funding to drive further cost and resource savings."