Support Our Mission

Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence

The Emerald Awards showcase the organizations, projects, and individuals across Alberta working to address environmental challenges and build a more resilient and sustainable future.

Since 1992, the Emerald Awards have showcased nearly 400 recipients and 900 finalists who are raising the bar in addressing environmental challenges. These environmental awards are the only program in Canada to recognize environmental excellence across a diverse range of sectors. Whether you’re a business, nonprofit, municipality, or community group, the Emerald Awards offer the opportunity to gain recognition for your impactful work.

Nominations are now closed for the 35th Annual Emerald Awards!

The shortlist will be announced on Thursday, March 26th

For 35 years, the Emerald Awards have celebrated Albertans who are tackling environmental challenges and creating real change in their communities. This year, the program has been refreshed with updated award categories, a simplified nomination form, and new judging criteria — making it more accessible than ever.

What Emerald Award Recipients Receive

As an Emerald Award recipient, you will be recognized as a leader in environmental excellence. Recipients receive:

  • Provincial Recognition: Your work will be highlighted across Alberta through our website, social media channels, and at the Emerald Awards ceremony, increasing visibility for your project or organization
  • A Sustainable Trophy: Recipients are awarded a sustainable and locally crafted Emerald Award trophy
  • A Feature in the Emerald Documentary Series: Your story of environmental excellence will be featured in the Emerald Documentary Series, highlighting the impact of your work

How to Submit a Nomination

Interested in submitting a nomination for the 36th Annual Emerald Awards? Here’s the process:

  1. Confirm eligibility: Review our eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the requirements to nominate for an Emerald Award
  2. Choose your category: Review our award categories and select the one that best aligns with your organization or initiative
  3. Fill out the online form: Get started on your nomination using our online platform, Submittable. You can save your progress and return later
  4. Submit your nomination: Once all sections are complete, submit your nomination

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an Emerald Award, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Your organization or initiative must be based in Alberta or demonstrate a clear and measurable impact within the province.
  • You cannot submit a nomination for an initiative that has already received an Emerald Award.
  • All nominations must be submitted directly by the organization or initiative being nominated (with the exception of the Lifetime Achievement Award).
  • Nominations must include a third-party reference letter
  • While not required, we recommend that initiatives be active for at least three years before nomination. This timeframe typically allows for sufficient qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate impact

Our Refreshed Categories

Over the past 35 years, the Emerald Awards have recognized environmental excellence across Alberta in various areas, including Air, Land, Water, Energy, and more. This year, in celebration of our 35th Anniversary, our categories have been refreshed to better reflect Alberta’s evolving environmental landscape and the challenges it faces.

Discover what’s new

Biodiversity & Habitat

Presented by the Forest Resource Improvement Association Of Alberta (FRIAA)

Recognizing initiatives that preserve, conserve, restore, monitor or enhance ecosystems, wildlife, or biodiversity.

Climate Adaptation & Resilience – NEW

Presented by The City of Edmonton

Recognizing initiatives that help communities, ecosystems, or industries adapt to climate impacts or build resilience by strengthening their ability to withstand, recover from, and thrive amid environmental change.

Community Group or Non-profit

Presented by The City of Calgary

Recognizing community groups or non-profits whose work advances environmental progress, creating long-term, sustainable impact.

Emerging Solutions – NEW

Celebrating research, pilot projects, or organizations that show strong potential for adaptability and real-world impact, even before implementation.

Emissions Reduction – NEW

Recognizing initiatives that improve air quality, reduce pollutants, and/or reduce emissions.

Energy

Recognizing initiatives and technologies that transform energy systems by increasing efficiency, reducing energy, or supporting energy diversification, contributing to long-term environmental, economic, and social resilience.

Green Building – NEW

Honouring initiatives that rethink how we design, build, and renovate spaces to minimize environmental impact and support healthier, low-carbon communities.

Land Use, Agriculture, or Forestry – NEW

Recognizing initiatives in land use, agriculture or forestry that demonstrate environmental leadership or innovation.

Public Education & Outreach

Presented by Oil Sands Alliance

Recognizing initiatives or organizations that increase public awareness, understanding, or action on environmental issues.

Schools – NEW

Presented by Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB)

Recognizing K–12 schools, classrooms, students or teachers that demonstrate environmental leadership, inspiring action, fostering stewardship, or creating positive change within the school community.

Waste Management

Recognizing projects and initiatives that demonstrate innovation in waste reduction and/or contribute to the circular economy.

Water

Presented by the Government of Alberta

Celebrating initiatives that conserve, protect, monitor or sustainably manage water.

Youth Leadership

Recognizing environmental changemakers (aged 30 and under) whose actions, projects, or voices are building a more sustainable future.

The Ron Kruhlak Lifetime Achievement Award

Honouring individuals who have dedicated their lives to environmental leadership in Alberta, leaving a lasting legacy of impact and innovation.

The story behind the name:

For 35 years, the Emerald Awards have recognized the people and projects shaping Alberta’s environmental future.

But behind every 35-year legacy are the individuals who helped build it from the ground up.

One of those individuals is Ron Kruhlak.

From the very beginning, Ron played a foundational role in the creation of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, serving as the original signatory on the MOU that brought the organization to life and helping establish the structure that would enable it to grow and thrive.

He went on to serve 18 years on the Board of Directors, helping shape the Emerald Awards into what they are today. And his connection to the Foundation hasn’t ended; he continues to support our work as a trusted advisor and ambassador.

As we mark this milestone year, we’re proud to announce that the Emerald Award’s highest honour will now carry Ron’s name, permanently tying one of the Foundation’s greatest honours to one of its most dedicated champions.

What happens after you submit your nomination?

After you’ve submitted your nomination, it will be reviewed and scored by our third-party panel of volunteer judges. Once complete, the judges will convene to choose up to three nominations to be shortlisted in each category.

The 35th Annual Emerald Awards shortlist will be announced on March 19, 2026

Questions?

If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact our Communications & Engagement Specialist, Sabrina