The Royal Bath & West of England Society has won EMS (Environmental Management System) certification. The award was presented to the Society by the Vehicle Certification Agency and is another milestone in their quest to become the first energy sufficient showground in the UK.

Dr Jane Guise, chief executive of the Royal Bath & West of England Society commented: "Obtaining EMS status is an exciting achievement and will greatly assist our long term plans for the showground redevelopment. Whilst we still have two more phases to complete, having a formal management system in place will support our ongoing focus on incorporating the use of green technologies within the showground".

EMS certification is part of an eighteen month project run in conjunction with the University of West of England (UWE) Bristol. The system is being implemented against the BS8555 standard and will be externally audited against the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment's ACORN scheme - of which The Society has successfully achieved the first three phases.

The EMS Award is part of a range of planned initiatives by the Society which includes the further development of the EcoZone which showcases the best of sustainable living at the Show and attracted a record number of exhibitors and visitors at this year's event