With the effects of the pandemic still making themselves felt and catastrophic extreme weather becoming more frequent, it has become clear that human life is taking its toll on the natural world. As we switch to recovery, there is a greater need for environmental and ecological thinking and delivery. Councils are at the forefront of preventing the climate crisis and implementing sustainable climate action strategies – protecting our green spaces and wildlife, pioneering waste reduction strategies, producing green energy and meeting our international commitments on carbon emissions.

Councillors have a plethora of opportunities to use their position to improve the local and global environment and promote sustainability, both through council-level strategies and grassroots community projects like supporting vibrant green spaces and environmentally sensitive planning and construction practices, as well as committing to Net Zero targets and renewable energy projects, or wide-reaching waste reduction that goes beyond litter picking.

In order to deliver on these ambitions, councillors must also engage with the public and support community-led environmental and sustainability projects.

The winner of this award will:

• be a pioneer of environmental culture change and sustainability;
• have implemented or be in the process of implementing green policies;
• have delivered or be working towards an innovative green project or strategy;
• have engaged their community in shaping the green vision for their area.

Successful submissions should:

• provide clear examples of work or projects they have carried out;
• focus on how they have led the council to go above and beyond their statutory requirements, ensuring environmental conservation and sustainability.