Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence
The Emerald Awards celebrate the organizations, projects, and individuals across Alberta working to address environmental challenges and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
As the only awards program of its kind in Canada, these awards have recognized over 400 recipients and 900 finalists since 1992, showcasing Alberta as a leader and innovator in the environmental space.
Whether you’re a business, nonprofit, or community group, the Emerald Awards offer the opportunity to gain recognition for your impactful work.
Nominations for the 36th Annual Emerald Awards are open until February 9, 2027 at 11:59 PM MST
What Emerald Award Recipients Receive
As an Emerald Award recipient, you‘ll 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:
- Confirm eligibility: Review our eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the requirements to nominate for an Emerald Award
- Choose your category: Review our award categories and select the one that best aligns with your organization or initiative
- Review our Nomination Guidelines: Get a comprehensive overview of the nomination process, answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and tips on how to write a great nomination
- Fill out the online form: Get started on your nomination using our online platform, Submittable (linked below). You can save your progress and return later
- Submit your nomination: Once all sections are complete, submit your nomination by Monday, February 8, 2027 at 11:59 PM MST
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to nominate 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
Categories
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
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
Celebrating research, pilot projects, or organizations that show strong potential for adaptability and real-world impact, even before implementation.
Emissions Reduction
Presented by Emissions Reduction Alberta
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
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
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
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
Presented by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority
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 youth or youth-driven programs aged 30 and under whose actions, projects, or voices are leading the way to a more sustainable future.
The Ron Kruhlak Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented by McLennan Ross LLP
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 submit your nomination, it will be reviewed by our third-party panel of volunteer judges using the Emerald Awards Scoring Rubric.
Each nomination is scored in six areas — Nomination Overview, Challenge, Solution, Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Long-Term Sustainability — using a 1-5 scale. Each area carries a different weight, with the greatest emphasis placed on environmental outcomes.
Up to five judges review each category. Together, they select one recipient and two finalists to be shortlisted, with final decisions confirmed by the full judging panel.
Shortlisted nominees will be announced mid-March 2027
Recipients will be announced at the 36th Annual Emerald Awards on June 3, 2027 at the Triffo Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta
Questions?
If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact our Communications & Programs Manager, Sabrina