Sustainability is the New Cool

There has never been a better time to champion sustainability. For all the uncertainty and hardship a year of lockdowns has brought, 2020 has set the scene for transforming how we live and work. 

Changes in mindset were evident early in the year. Google Trends announced that searches for “How to live a sustainable lifestyle” increased by more than 4,550% in the 90 days running up to Earth Day in April 2020. And a report in August showed that people’s interest in nature and the outdoors peaked during the summer months in lockdown, resulting in a shift in public attitudes towards the environment. Movement restrictions have shown us what the world looks like with less air pollution, the speed nature can recover and how much less we consume whilst staying home.

With less than a decade left to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals sustainability is a must, not just a “nice-to-have”. As consumers seek to live more sustainably, growing public awareness will increase political pressure to bring about fast, effective change. Companies are also expected to make sustainability and 'purpose' central to their brand identities as more social and environmental impact initiatives become mainstream.

With sustainability such a hot topic this year, we are particularly keen that the Global Good Awards 2021 celebrate all the sustainability champions around the world. Being a virtual event is giving us greater reach with more international entries than ever before.

Although we would much prefer to be meeting everyone in person we are delighted to see so many organisations entering the awards from around the globe. With 2-3 weeks left to enter we are encouraging everyone to spread the word as far and wide as possible. Following on from the success of last year it promises to be a fantastic virtual event with our largest international audience yet.

To reflect events of the past year, two new awards have been added to the regular categories for 2021:

1.     COVID Crisis Champions Award

This award recognises and celebrates organisations anywhere in the world that have gone the extra mile in responding to the impact of the pandemic.

This could include health innovations, scientific or otherwise, outstanding examples of health care in a crisis, as well as a range of imaginative, timely and effective responses to the pandemic’s impact on wider society and the economy – ones which have helped enable life and livelihoods to survive and thrive in immensely challenging times.

Entry to this category is free of charge for Public Sector healthcare services or any organisation entering another category.

2.     Waste Reduction & Minimalisation Award

This category will reward organisations that have shown innovation and creativity in reducing and minimising waste across all key aspects of their activities – notably materials, water, food and energy.

It will recognise achievements in organisations’ in-house activities, supply chains and the impact of their work and products ‘in use’, including among its customers or investees, all along the value chain.

For full details of all the award categories and how to enter please click here: https://globalgoodawards.co.uk/award-categories/

The closing date for entries is 23 April. (ext. 30th April)