Scottish Borders Council was announced as the winner of Carbon Trust Scotland's new Public Sector Staff Awareness Campaign Award at the Scottish Energy & Environment Conference (SEEC) held at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on 5 February 2013.

The award aims to acknowledge and recognise public sector organisations that have established a staff awareness campaign over the last two years which has successfully demonstrated behaviour change, improved work practices and carbon and energy reductions.

Despite strong competition from five other entries, Scottish Borders Council won the award due to the unique and identifiable staff awareness campaign entitled 'TREADlightly', which was supported by good planning, thorough research and full personal and financial commitment of senior management.

The campaign involved using environmental champions, environmental monitoring and a programme of awareness raising. Branding for the campaign, incorporating the 'TREADlightly' strap and feet image, was designed to highlight the Council's objective of carbon footprint reduction whilst demonstrating it was already on the path to success.