Entries Open for the 20th Anniversary edie Awards 2027
The UK's largest sustainability awards program undergoes a major structural overhaul for 2027.
1Two Decades of Recognition
The edie Awards, marking their 20th anniversary, have officially opened for 2027 entries. Over the past two decades, the program has honored more than 400 winners, establishing itself as the UK's largest corporate sustainability scheme. This year, the awards aim to highlight organizations embedding sustainability deeply into their core business strategies.
2Restructured Program Pillars
The 2027 edition features a significant overhaul, organizing 26 distinct categories into three core pillars: Leadership Strategy, Action Collaboration, and People Culture. This new structure is designed to better reflect the evolving breadth of sustainability leadership, moving beyond simple carbon metrics to include critical areas like nature, resilience, and human engagement.
3New Focus on Innovation
Reflecting modern corporate challenges, the program now includes specific categories for AI applications, water management, and climate adaptation. These additions complement existing innovation awards, such as the Circular Economy Innovation of the Year, which is delivered in partnership with Springwise to recognize tangible environmental benefits across various industry sectors.
4Individual and Team Honors
The awards continue to celebrate personal and team excellence through categories like Business Leader of the Year and Sustainability Leader of the Year. Past recipients of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award include notable figures such as Sir David King, Christiana Figueres, and Caroline Lucas, highlighting the program's focus on high-impact leadership.
5Eligibility and Entry Criteria
Organizations with a UK presence are eligible to submit projects completed within the last one to two years. The SME of the Year category is specifically reserved for companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover below £50 million, ensuring that smaller businesses can compete on a fair playing field.
6Submission Costs and Deadlines
Interested organizations must submit their entries by the deadline of Wednesday, 13 January 2027. Standard entry fees are set at £269 plus VAT per category, with discounted rates available for edie members and SME applicants. Detailed submission criteria and eligibility requirements are currently accessible through the official edie Awards website.
7Ceremony and Flagship Event
The winners will be announced during a gala ceremony held on 14 April 2027 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. This event serves as the grand finale of edie 27, the organization's flagship corporate climate conference, bringing together industry professionals to celebrate progress and discuss the future of sustainable business practices.
8Strategic Industry Evolution
The shift toward adaptation and AI reflects a broader evolution in corporate responsibility. By highlighting these specific areas, the awards encourage companies to address complex social and environmental challenges with concrete, measurable action. This program remains a critical benchmark for long-term business resilience and competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-focused global market.
Original article: edie — Entries Open for the 20th Anniversary edie Awards 2027