Categories & Judging Criteria

It has taken determination, unwavering commitment, and flawless execution to launch your environmental initiatives, programs or products. The GLOBE Awards for Environmental Excellence provide the opportunity to tell the world what you've accomplished.

The 2012 GLOBE Awards will be presented in the following categories:

The Award for Corporate Environmental Excellence | [judging criteria]

Whether through expansion, acquisition, or a change in strategic focus, corporations are seeking ways to meet global environmental challenges while maintaining and enhancing shareholder value. This award will be presented to a Canadian corporation with a proven record of environmental stewardship that has materially contributed to economic competitiveness through a commitment to environmental excellence that is integrated with a corporate-wide approach to sustainability.

The Award for Excellence in Emerging Technology | [judging criteria]

The most pressing and seemingly unfixable environmental challenges always give rise to the most innovative technological solutions. This award will be presented to a Canadian company that has made valuable progress in the advancement of current environmental technologies or is on the cutting edge in pursuing new and emerging technologies. It will recognize the technology with the most promising potential to provide the greatest financial return from broad commercial application.

The Award for Technology Innovation and Application | [judging criteria]

Increasingly today, new and innovative technologies are being developed and applied to solve pressing environmental problems. This award will be presented to a company or group of companies that have demonstrated outstanding technical ingenuity in the development and/or application of an innovative technology with a significant environmental application. This technology will have a proven track record through commercialization.

The Award for Excellence in Urban Sustainability | [judging criteria]

As the hub of industry and innovation, cities have become the economic engines of society. Liveable, vibrant and sustainable cities are rising to the top of the competitive ladder through their ability to attract talent and investment. A key 'building block' for such world class cities is the planning and practice of urban sustainability in City form, building design and economic systems. This award will be presented to a local government, private sector company or consortium which has developed and applied outstanding urban sustainability principles.

The Award for Sustainability in Finance | [judging criteria]

Financial markets are increasingly integrating environment factors into investment and banking decisions, and are placing more capital into sustainable technologies and ventures. This award will be presented to a North American or global fund manager; commercial, investment and private bank; financial/investment broker; asset management company; venture capital firm; or investment advisor who has developed new portfolios, debt or investment structures & instruments, analytical tools and/or targeted funds for Canadian environmental technology, infrastructure, retail or industrial, or clean energy markets.

The Award for Best Green Retailing Practices | [judging criteria]

Many stakeholders in retail industries are adopting 'green' business practices, processes and products. This is shifting production and demand in the entire value chain and has the potential to affect change on a massive scale. Although the performance of buildings and infrastructure can be measured through LEED ratings and other recognized certifications, a number of other end-to-end 'green' practices can go unnoticed by the consumers - these practices can include minimizing carbon emissions through supply-chain management, implementing procurement policies that reward sustainable suppliers, reducing packaging and material consumption, etc. This award will be presented to a company with a retail presence in Canada that has excelled in the execution of end-to-end sustainable practices and has measured improvements of the environmental performance of their retail operations.

NEW - The Next Gen Entrepreneur Award | [application & judging criteria]

This award will be presented to a post-secondary student (undergraduate, graduate, college student, trades) or a recent graduate who is within the first 5 years of their career (under 30 years of age), who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, commitment, innovation, and entrepreneurship with regards to the principles of sustainability (environmental stewardship, social responsibility, economic excellence).  The award will recognize either a body of work that has been completed, the implementation of a program or initiative, a technical innovation, and/or the formation of a business/social enterprise that is effectively tackling an environmental challenge, while at the same time demonstrating improved environmental, social, and economic performance.