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Sustainability Categories

These categories will recognize innovative achievements in resource and environmental sustainability since the beginning of July 2023.

Nominations that won in the 2025 edition of the awards may be resubmitted for consideration to the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be resubmitted to the 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 2,500 characters describing the nominee's innovative achievements since 1 July 2023, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length describing the same.
b. Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges.

U01. Award for Innovation in Green Software or Digital Sustainability (new for 2026)
Recognizing software or digital solutions designed to reduce environmental impact. This includes low-energy applications, carbon-aware platforms, energy-efficient AI models, green data infrastructure, and sustainable software design.

U02. Award for Innovation in Sustainable Mobility (new for 2026)
Recognizing innovations in clean transportation, electric vehicles, green logistics, mobility-as-a-service platforms, and infrastructure solutions that contribute to reduced emissions and more sustainable movement of people and goods.

U03. Award for Innovation in Sustainable Packaging (new for 2026)
Recognizing innovative materials, designs, or processes that reduce the environmental impact of packaging. This includes recyclable, biodegradable, reusable, or minimal packaging solutions for consumer or industrial use.

U04. Building Sustainable Supply Chains
This category recognizes innovation in the building of sustainable supply chains.

U05. Climate Adaptation Initiative
This category recognizes campaigns that address sustainable adaptation to new climate conditions.

U06. Climate Hero of the Year
This category recognizing innovative individuals who have actively committed themselves to climate protection and combating climate change.

U07. Climate Protection and Sustainability Campaign of the Year
This category honors special campaigns or programs that are dedicated to climate protection and sustainability.

U08. Conserve Resources
Recognizing innovations to conserve resources in hardware and software development by making products more compact and continually improving technologies for consumables and printer drivers.

U09. Innovative Achievement in Climate & Environmental Impact (new for 2026)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization's initiatives since the beginning of July 2023 that addresses climate change, environmental sustainability, or ecological impact through their products, services, operations, or business models.

T10. Innovative Achievement in Sustainability or Circular Economy (new for 2026)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization's initiatives since the beginning of July 2023, whose innovative practices have significantly advanced environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, or circular economy models in their operations, product design, or business model.

U11. 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.

U12. 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.

U13. 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.

U14. 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.

U15. Sustainability & Climate Protection Services
Services that improve sustainability, reduce emissions or are more environmentally friendly than market alternatives.

U16. Sustainable Business Models
Business models that aim to act sustainably, for example by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.