Big Green Switch wins 'Campaign for Change' award

Big Green Switch was last night named the winner of the Campaign for Change category in the New Statesman New Media Awards.

The website, which aims to empower people to make choices that help them live a greener life, was launched in May 2007 by Associated Northcliffe Digital’s Derby-based new product development division.

White-labelled versions of the website have been created for several of AND’s sister regional newspaper websites in the Northcliffe group including the Leicester Mercury, Derby Telegraph, Nottingham Post, Bristol Post, The Sentinel and the Western Daily Press.

Big Green Switch’s carbon footprint calculator and a tip of the day feature are also carried on the DMGT-owned Metro website.

Big Green Switch offers independent information and advice for those who want to be more environmentally-friendly and encourages visitors to share their own ideas and experiences via community message boards, comment panels and blogs.

Site manager Steve Allen said: “Our aim is to encourage people to learn about being green without feeling pressured or lectured. The emphasis is on achievable ideas which are easy to put into practice. ‘Start small and do more when you are ready’, is the key message.

“We are delighted to have won the award for Campaign for Change and proud to be recognised for having created what we feel is a clear, fair and positive information portal where anyone can find all the advice and knowledge they need.

“We would like to thank users for their continued support and daily website interaction which has helped us to build this online green community.”

The site also includes tools and features such as a green products shop, environmental jobs search engine and a directory of other green websites, businesses and organisations.

Judges decided that out of all the entrants in the Campaign for Change category, Big Green Switch had most effectively influenced opinions and behaviour through the use of new media technology. It championed a cause and provided information and tools to instigate change, they believed.

Big Green Switch currently receives about 45,000 unique visitors a month who between them look at about 300,000 pages.

The prestigious annual New Statesman awards, now in their 10th year, aim to highlight the positive impact of new media technology on public life. Big Green Switch received its award at a ceremony in central London.