Sustainability Categories
These categories will recognize innovative achievements in resource and environmental sustainability since the beginning of 2025.
Nominations that won in the 2026 ABAs may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2027 ABAs. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.
Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories include
a. An essay of up to 4,900 characters describing the nominee’s achievements since January 1 2025, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length describing the same.
b. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, or images, for example.
U01. Building Sustainable Supply Chains: This category recognizes innovation in the building of sustainable supply chains.
U02. Climate Adaptation Initiative: This category recognizes campaigns that address sustainable adaptation to new climate conditions.
U03. Climate Hero of the Year: This category recognizes innovative individuals who have actively committed themselves to climate protection and combating climate change.
U04. Climate Protection and Sustainability Campaign of the Year: This category honors special campaigns or programs that are dedicated to climate protection and sustainability.
U05. Resource Conservation & Efficiency: Recognizing innovative initiatives, practices, or technologies that reduce the consumption of natural resources and materials, minimize waste, and improve resource efficiency across an organization’s products, operations, or processes.
U06. Most Impactful Sustainability Partnership: Celebrates partnerships between organizations, sectors, or communities that resulted in significant environmental, climate, or social sustainability outcomes.
U07. Net Zero Strategy of the Year: Recognizing organizations that have developed and implemented impactful strategies to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
U08. Products in the Area of Sustainability & Climate Protection: Innovative products that improve sustainability, reduce emissions or are more environmentally friendly than standard alternatives on the market.
U09. Project of the Year in the Area of Nature & Biological Diversity: This category recognizes projects and campaigns that make important contributions in the area of nature and biological diversity - such as renaturation measures, promotion of biodiversity, etc.
U10. Reuse and Recycle: Recognizing innovations to extend the useful life of components, reduce parts that end up in waste, and develop products that make disassembly and reuse easier.
U11. Saving Energy: Recognizing initiatives to increase energy efficiency and make optimal use of savings opportunities through professional energy management in order to conserve resources and protect the environment.
U12. Sustainable Business Models: Business models that aim to act sustainably, for example, by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
U13. Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year: Honoring innovative approaches to sustainable packaging, including recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable designs.
U14. Sustainability & Climate Protection Services: Services that improve sustainability, reduce emissions or are more environmentally friendly than market alternatives.
U15. Sustainability Initiative of the Year: Honors specific sustainability initiatives or projects launched or completed since January 1, 2025.
U16. Sustainability Leadership Award: Recognizes organizations that have demonstrated that sustainability is a core business objective, deeply embedded in company culture.