One of our longest-standing and most prestigious awards of the night, our Sustainable Business of the Year category recognises organisations that are championing ESG and taking environmental, social and financial performance onto new heights. The award is for organisations across any industry sector that are scaling up commitments and taking bold climate actions to achieve a more sustainable planet and society.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Open to any organisation that has fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £50m. The edie team will be validating all organisation sizes via Companies House based on the last full financial year of accounts.

As the backbone of the economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a critical role to play in developing sustainable products and services and achieving a net-zero carbon economy. This coveted award shines a light on the small-but-mighty organisations and social enterprises that are championing environmental and social sustainability achieve a greener, more equitable future.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Consultancy and advisory firms have a critical role to play in accelerating climate action across both the private and public sectors. This coveted award is open to any consultancy or advisory firm that has delivered substantial and quantifiable improvements in the environmental and/or social sustainability of clients. Our judges will be looking for consultancies that are pushing boundaries and going above and beyond normal practice to deliver tangible results.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is a key enabler on the road to tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development. Open to any bank, investor or fund manager, this award recognises organisations that are championing sustainable, socially responsible investing and promoting ESG criteria. Our judges will be looking for organisations that are increasing investments in green businesses and industries to support a sustainable, net-zero economy.

(members code provided during entry stage)

As a B Corp-certified organisation, edie knows all too well that becoming a certified B Corporation is no mean feat, but it can be a powerful catalyst for making your organisation a force for good. Now in its second year, this award is open to all certified B Corporations who have used the certification process and their B Corp status to drive positive impacts for people and the planet. All entrants into this category must be an officially certified B Corp.

(members code provided during entry stage)

The climate and ecological crises cannot be solved through the actions of the private sector and policymakers alone. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are an integral piece of the puzzle, be it through industry partnerships, on-the-ground activities or political advocacy. This award is open to all NGOs that are driving environmental and social sustainability through their work.

The edie team will be validating all NGO statuses via the Worldwide NGO Directory.

(members code provided during entry stage)

This award is all about taking action to protect, restore and enhance nature. The award is open to any organisation-led project which aims to reduce impacts on nature and/or protect and restore ecosystems. From local biodiversity initiatives and credible offset programmes through to innovative supplier partnerships and the delivery of climate-positive solutions – our judges will be looking for projects which build effectively embed nature and biodiversity into corporate sustainability.

(members code provided during entry stage)

The transition to a sustainable, net-zero carbon economy will only be achieved through powerful industry collaborations and cross-sector partnerships. This prestigious award is all about collaboration in action. The award can be entered by an individual organisation – or organisations – that have effectively worked with suppliers/partners, or by collective initiatives and partnerships as a whole. Judges will be looking for examples of organisations working effectively with one another to accelerate change, reduce impacts, build resilience and promote sustainable development.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Recognising the best examples of employee engagement, upskilling and behaviour change, this award is open for organisations of all industry types and sizes that are delivering ambitious, innovative, and effective programmes which positively engage staff at any level, drives behaviour change and promotes new skills across any aspect of sustainability. Our judges will be looking for initiatives which overcome engagement challenges, demonstrate tangible new skills, and empower an organisation's people to drive sustainability forward.

(members code provided during entry stage)

An organisation’s consumers can be a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to driving environmental and social sustainability at scale – but effectively engaging with them is notoriously tricky. This award recognises organisations that have successfully engaged with consumers to drive positive change – whether that be through green products or services or supporting marketing campaigns. Judges will be looking for innovative and inspiring engagement projects which lead to a tangible increase in engagement and actions among the target audience.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Building and maintaining sustainable supply chains is arguably the most important aspect of achieving a low-carbon and circular economy. With that in mind, this newly created award is open to organisations of all industry types and sizes that have looked beyond their own operations to drive environmental and social sustainability across the supply chain. Judges will be looking for examples of effective engagement and collaboration within supply chains to reduce impacts, build resilience and drive social sustainability.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Non-financial and communications is becoming evermore important to increase engagement, accountability and transparency around environmental and social impacts. This award recognises the organisations that are telling their sustainability story in transparent, meaningful and innovative ways through accessible reports and effective communications. The award is open to organisations of all sizes, and judges will be looking for informative, engaging and interactive approaches that support reporting frameworks and are backed up by communicative tools and techniques.

(members code provided during entry stage)

One of our longest running and most coveted awards, the Product Innovation of the Year category recognises excellence in both sustainability products and sustainably-designed products. The award is open to entrepreneurs, developers and organisations that have created or refined a particular product or solution which promises to deliver significant environmental or social sustainability improvements – ideally with results already being proven and plans for future deployment. For 2026, the category is sponsored by edie’s sister publication Springwise, the leading global media platform for innovations driving positive change.

(members code provided during entry stage)

This category is all about making the circular economy a reality. The prestigious award recognises and celebrates the organisations and entrepreneurs that are re-thinking the way we make, use and re-use materials to minimise waste and advance a circular economy. The award is open to organisations of all sizes that have taken innovative circular economy approaches – from green packaging innovations and clever product designs through to scaling-up closed-loop business models and driving circularity through the supply chain. For 2026, the category is sponsored by edie’s sister publication Springwise, the leading global media platform for innovations driving positive change.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Water and waste represent two critical elements of an organisation’s environmental footprint on the journey to a net-zero-carbon, circular economy. This award recognises strategies and projects that drive reductions in either – or both – water and waste and are ultimately championing resource efficiency. Judges will be looking for projects that reduce or enhance impacts, increase stakeholder engagement and ultimately advance us towards a circular economy.

(members code provided during entry stage)

From energy data analysis to streamlining corporate sustainability reporting, more businesses are looking to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with their workload. With McKinsey reporting that 92% of companies are planning to increase AI investments over the next three years—adoption is accelerating, despite questions over the environmental impacts of the technology. New for 2026, the AI in ESG Award is open to developers, solutions providers and businesses that have either used AI to enhance approaches to sustainability, or have developed a solution to help others with key ESG challenges. This new category is sponsored by edie’s sister publication Springwise, the leading global media platform for innovations driving positive change.

(members code provided during entry stage)

An environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy can be a vital framework for organisations when it comes to embedding sustainability principles into their core values and activities. With that in mind, this award recognises the organisations that have developed clear and aligned ESG strategies which have helped to steer their purpose and galvanise stakeholders on their sustainability journey. Our judges will be looking for ambitious strategies which have clear goals and pathways and have helped to drive engagement on environmental and social sustainability across the organisation.

(members code provided during entry stage)

With FOUR years left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this hugely important award recognises the organisations that are putting social sustainability at the heart of what they do. Whether it’s charitable schemes, community development projects or social equality, diversity and inclusion programmes, our judges will be looking for socially-responsible business initiatives which are driving positive change at a time when social sustainability and The Just Transition is of paramount importance.

(members code provided during entry stage)

For the climate movement to be truly inclusive, equitable and authentic, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes are a fundamental aspect of any organisation’s sustainability strategy. With that in mind, this award recognises organisations that have successfully delivered DEI projects on the path to a more sustainable future. Our judges will be looking for evidence of committed DEI initiatives which have helped the ability to attract and retain talent, enhance products and services, positively engage with communities, and innovate while recognising risk.

(members code provided during entry stage)

This special award is all about teamwork and collaboration; recognising the teams in which every member has made a positive difference. The award is open to any in-house sustainability/energy team – consisting of a minimum of two people – that has delivered tangible environmental improvements. Judges will be looking for those that have displayed effective and dynamic teamwork, strong values and innovative approaches to achieve success.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Open to both direct entries and nominations.

Entries into this category are free for all members of edie’s 30 Under 30 initiative (Class of 2024 AND Class of 2025). A free code will be provided during the entry process).

The category can still be entered into by non-members (and your entry will not be impacted if you are not a member of the 30 Under 30 programme).

This special award is all about shining a light on the outstanding efforts and achievements of inspiring young sustainability and environmental professionals who are driving positive change within their organisation and/or across the low-carbon economy. The award is open to any employee, apprentice, sustainability or energy professional under the age of 30 (as of 31 December 2025), and it can be entered for directly or through nomination.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Open to both direct entries and nominations.

Who will be named edie’s Sustainability Leader of the Year for 2026? Recognising the sustainability strategists who are driving the climate and corporate sustainability agenda forward, this special award is for the in-house sustainability leaders, managers and practitioners who are innovating, inspiring and initiating positive change, and those who are always willing to go the extra mile to transform business, for good.

(members code provided during entry stage)

Open to both direct entries and nominations.

Who will be named edie’s Business Leader of the Year for 2026? Recognising the inspiring leaders who are walking the walk on sustainability and accelerating climate action, this prestigious award is for chief executives, directors and other senior executives who do not necessarily hold ‘sustainability’ roles but are leading on it from the top; driving positive environmental and social change within their organisations and sparking new ideas and actions in their industry and beyond.

(members code provided during entry stage)

This special award is given to a transformational leader who has dedicated their career to the advancement of climate action and achieved exemplary success. The winner of this award is selected by the edie team with input from the entire judging panel.

Previous Lifetime Achievement Award-winners include:

• Former UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres (2025)
  
• Former Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas (2024)
• Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University Rachel Kyte (2023)
• Climate Change Committee Chair Lord Deben (2022)
• Former Director of the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership Dame Polly Courtice (2021) 
• Forum for the Future Founder-Director Jonathon Porritt (2020) 
• Former Unilever chief executive Paul Polman (2019)