Rachel Urquhart
Entries are now open for the 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards, celebrating people and organisations working towards a net-positive future.
The Banksia Awards are Australia’s longest-running sustainability awards, which recognise leadership in biodiversity, climate change, and First Nations people. The awards’ 15 categories highlight the diversity within the sustainability sector.
“It’s time to amplify the positive impact of champions for sustainable development in Australia,” says Banksia Foundation CEO Graz van Egmond. “It’s time to recharge the nation’s efforts on people and planet.
“The latest State of the Environment report, a bill for a climate target in the Australian parliament, and a proposal for a First Nations Voice in the constitution are raising the urgency for leadership on these issues.
“There is keen interest in efforts to regenerate nature, accelerate climate action, and recognise First Nations people,” says van Egmond. “We want a world that is nature positive, net-positive on carbon, and positive for First Australians.
“We seek to recognise those change-makers who are leading us to a better future. They know who they are. Amplify your impact. Enter the 34th National Banksia Awards. If not now, when? If not you, who?
“For humanity to survive, we need biodiversity to thrive, and we need system change, not climate change,” says van Egmond. “We also need to respect brave, compelling storytelling about our past, present and future.”
The awards align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which van Egmond says provide a global blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
The 15 award categories include two new categories: the First Nations Leading a Sustainable Future Award, and the Sustainable Leadership in the eCommerce and reCommerce Industry Award. The winner of each category also vies for the Banksia Gold Award that recognises “the best of the best” in sustainable development.
Entries for the 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards close on December 13 at 5pm (AEDT), with the national winners announced at a gala awards ceremony in March 2023.
The categories are:
- Agriculture and Regional Development
- Biodiversity
- Circular Transition
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Ethical Sourcing
- First Nations Leading a Sustainable Future
- Future Places
- Health and Wellbeing
- Large Business Sustainable Leadership
- Marketing and Communications for Impact
- Net Zero Leadership
- SME Sustainable Leadership
- Sustainable Leadership in the eCommerce & reCommerce Industry
- Sustainable Tourism
- Young Changemakers
More details are available at the Banksia Foundation website.
Leave a Reply