These categories recognize the recent achievements of individuals, teams, and entire organizations to plan, approach, and achieve organizational, industry, or national sustainability goals.

Nominations that won in the 2025 International Business Awards® may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. 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 in the 2026 competition include:

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated achievements since 1 January 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization or individual: its history and past performance (up to 1,500 characters). Required
b. Outline the achievements since the beginning of 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 1,900 characters). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 1,900 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, work samples, internal or external reviews, or employee feedback, for example.

T01. Sustainability Leadership Award
Recognizes the achievements since 1 January 2024 of organizations that have demonstrated that sustainability is a core business objective:
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. in Mexico, the Caribbean & Central and South America

T02. Sustainability Initiative of the Year
Recognizes specific sustainability initiatives or projects launched or completed since 1 January 2024.
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. in Mexico, the Caribbean & Central and South America

T03. Sustainability Product of the Year
Recognizes physical products introduced since 1 January 2024 that improve sustainability or are designed to be more eco friendly than market alternatives.
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. in Mexico, the Caribbean & Central and South America

T04. Sustainability Service of the Year
Recognizes service offerings introduced since 1 January 2024 that improve sustainability or are designed to be more eco-friendly than market alternatives.
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. in Mexico, the Caribbean & Central and South America

T05. Sustainability Hero of the Year
Recognizes individual executives (the equivalent of Vice President level or higher) whose efforts since 1 January 2024 have improved the sustainability initiatives of the organization for which they work.
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. in Mexico, the Caribbean & Central and South America

T06. Excellence in Circular Economy Practices
Recognizes initiatives that promote the reuse and recycling of products and materials, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.

T07. Most Impactful Sustainability Partnership
Celebrates partnerships between organizations or sectors that have created significant environmental or social impact.

T08. Net Zero Strategy of the Year (New for 2026)
Recognizes organizations that have developed and implemented impactful strategies to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

T09. Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year (New for 2026)
Honors innovative approaches to sustainable packaging, including recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable designs.

T10. Sustainability Reporting & Transparency Award (New for 2026)
Recognizes organizations that have significantly improved the quality, transparency, and accessibility of their sustainability or ESG reporting.

T11. Sustainable Supply Chain
Honors organizations that have successfully integrated sustainability throughout their supply chain, focusing on ethical sourcing, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting transparency:
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia China, Japan and Korea
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America