Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence

The Emerald Awards showcase organizations, projects, and individuals from across Alberta who are working to address environmental and climate change issues.

Since 1992, the Emerald Awards have showcased nearly 400 recipients and 900 finalists who are raising the bar in addressing environmental and climate change issues. These environmental awards are the only program in Canada to recognize environmental excellence across a diverse range of sectors.

The shortlist for the 33rd Annual Emerald Awards will be announced March 22, 2024 and the ceremony will take place on June 6th at the Calgary Central Library. Stay tuned for more details!

Emerald award recipients receive:

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL EMERALD AWARDS ARE NOW CLOSED.

To nominate, you must meet the following requirements:
  • Nominations must be first-party, with the exception of our Lifetime Achievement Award
  • The nominated project, organization, or individual must be based in Alberta and/or benefit Albertans
  • Nominations must include a third-party reference letter
    • We define a third party as any group or person who is not directly involved in the administration or operation of a project or organization nominating for the awards. We encourage nominees to get references from people, groups, or organizations who have benefitted from your work and can speak to the impacts.
How to submit a nomination:
  1. Review the 15 Emerald Award categories (listed below) to determine which category aligns best with your organization or project
  2. Ensure you have at least one party who will provide you a third-party reference
  3. Start your nomination using our Submittable form. No need to finish it all in one go, you can save your nomination and access it later!
  4. Submit your nomination

 

Questions about the nominations process? Contact our Communications & Engagement Specialist, Sabrina!

What happens after you submit a nomination

All nominations are reviewed by a third-party panel of judges who choose a maximum of three nominations per category to be shortlisted, except for our Lifetime Achievement Award, where only one recipient is chosen.

Nominations are scored based on the following:

Emerald Award Categories

Legacy

Celebrating an organization or individual’s legacy of environmental excellence in addressing and mitigating the effects of local, regional, and global environmental issues.

Business

Showcasing an organization engaged in commercial, industrial or professional activities that has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to an environmentally sustainable future.

Community Group or Nonprofit

Recognizing associations dedicated to furthering a particular social cause or advocating for a shared point of view that have demonstrated a significant commitment to the environment through their actions.

Education

Acknowledging those that have raised the bar by showing leadership and creativity in educating students of all ages about environmental matters.

Government

Recognizing all levels of government whose ongoing commitment sets the example of environmental leadership and advocates sustainability as a major consideration in governance.

Youth

Recognizing people, 25 years of age and under, who have made meaningful contributions and have taken positive action to improve the environmental health of their community.

Lifetime Achievement

Celebrating environmental leaders who, throughout their lifetime, have made contributions of outstanding environmental significance.

Project/Initiative

Showcasing the Albertan environmental projects and initiatives that have addressed and mitigated the effects of local, regional, and global environmental issues by achieving excellence aligned to current environmental priorities.

Water

Recognizing projects and initiatives that demonstrate excellence through the monitoring, management and/or stewardship of water and watersheds.

Air

Recognizing projects and initiatives that improve air quality.

Land

Recognizing projects and initiatives that demonstrate excellence in sustainable land use.

Energy

Recognizing projects and initiatives that positively support the evolution of our province’s energy systems.

Waste Management

Recognizing projects and initiatives that innovate the repurposing, reduction, and disposal of waste in an environmentally-conscious way.

Infrastructure

Recognizing environmental advancements in the ways we design, build, and travel.

Wildlife & Biodiversity

Recognizing projects and initiatives that protect and conserve natural habitats and wild species.

Public Engagement & Outreach

Recognizing programs and initiatives that educate and empower the broader public by teaching the necessary skills to make informed environmental decisions and take responsible action.

Shared Footprints Award

Recognizing those who have exemplified land and water stewardship, built shared knowledge, improved air quality, reduced land disturbances, and encouraged ecotourism.