The BCS, British Computer Society, has today launched its IT Industry Awards for excellence. Announcing the awards the body said that for the first time it would award firms for their green initiatives and practices.

The "Green Organisation of the Year" award, is the first time that the BCS will recognise firms for the work they have done on improving their environmental impact. The BCS added that it would compliment its BP Environment award, which praises firms for their green IT projects.

David Clarke, the BCS chief executive, said, "by introducing this new category we are again reflecting the issues which are relevant to the industry today and in the future. The BCS believes that the IT sector's carbon footprint is a concern which needs to be urgently addressed. We hope [the awards] will encourage more IT organisations to adopt best practice within their organisations."

Firms interested in making a nomination should do so via the BCS web site. The deadline for submissions is 1 August.