Sustainability Awards Categories
These categories will recognize innovative achievements in resource and environmental sustainability since the beginning of 2024.
Nominations that won in the 2025 ABAs may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 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 625 words describing the nominee's achievements since January 1 2024, 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. 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. 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.
U06. Most Impactful Sustainability Partnership (new for 2026): Celebrates partnerships between organizations, sectors, or communities that resulted in significant environmental, climate, or social sustainability outcomes.
U07. Net Zero Strategy of the Year (new for 2026): 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 (new for 2026): 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 (new for 2026): Honors specific sustainability initiatives or projects launched or completed since January 1, 2024.
U16. Sustainability Leadership Award (new for 2026): Recognizes organizations that have demonstrated that sustainability is a core business objective, deeply embedded in company culture.