SILSDEN-based Ecology Building Society has achieved an Investors in the Environment Green Award.

The pioneering green mortgage provider has received the highest level of accreditation from the environmental scheme.

The society, which joined Investors in the Environment (iiE) six months ago, received the award for its impressive environmental performance and commitment to ongoing improvement.

The iiE accreditation recognises how businesses improve their environmental performance year on year.

The society has reduced its electricity use by 21 per cent and its gas use by 54 per cent over the last 12 months.

It has also been classed as a beacon for renewable and energy saving technologies with solar PV and solar thermal and rainwater harvesting all installed at its base.

Paul Ellis, chief executive of the society, said his company’s business was built around helping people to live in a more sustainable way.

He said: “This award shows we’re putting our principles into practice.

“We’re proud of achieving Green Award status so quickly, but we’re not resting on our laurels – iiE accreditation means pushing ourselves to go further and further to save energy and resources.”

The Ecology Building Society offers mortgages to support ecological building practices, including new eco-builds, renovations and energy efficient refurbishment.

It has offset the carbon emissions generated by its activities since the society’s beginnings in 1981 in Cross Hills.

The Investors in the Environment scheme has seen strong growth in members, including IKEA, Yorkshire Water and many green economy businesses, since its launch in 2012.

It has been cited as the ‘fastest-growing environmental scheme in Yorkshire’ due to a combination of simple methods, recognised business accreditation and money-saving benefits.

The scheme is managed by Yorkshire Energy Partnership, a local authority-owned sustainability company, and is open to all businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Visit iie@energypartnership.org.uk or call 01904 545020 for more information about Investors in the Environment.