The species conservation award recognises individuals and organisations making extraordinary efforts to protect a single species
Every year, the Mail & Guardian scours the country to find noteworthy and newsworthy environmental projects to profile in its annual Greening the Future Awards. The efforts of communities, companies, organisations and individuals to create a cleaner planet without compromising progress are showcased at a prestigious awards ceremony and in special reports published by the M&G.
This year, with the ongoing drought placing water at the top of many people’s agendas, the judges will be focusing on this issue in South Africa. The awards already recognise Water Efficiency & Management, but this year the categories of Green Technology Innovations and Community Conservation will also be awarded (if possible) to projects dedicated to preserving our most precious natural resource.
Every year, Greening the Future receives hundreds of entries from projects across the country in the 10 categories below, which are judged by an independent, respected panel of judges. For the past 13 years we have featured progressive green projects that help combat climate change, encourage the adoption and use of renewable energy and foster the strategic management of natural resources.
We invite you to join us for the 2016 celebrations. Videos of winning projects and finalists will be flighted on the award-winning M&G online platform, in addition to being featured across the M&G’s multimedia publications, and at the annual gala awards evening — the highlight of Green SA’s calendar.
Greening 2016 categories
Innovations for Climate Change Adaptation
This award celebrates projects, organisations and companies that are implementing innovative strategies for adapting to the impacts of global warming. Their approach is to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities of populations exposed to the negative effects of climate change.
Energy Efficiency & Carbon Management
This category showcases projects, organisations and companies that demonstrate best practice by reducing their carbon footprint and entrenching energy efficiency and/or and electricity savings into their business practices.
Community Renewable Energy Innovations
This award celebrates community groups and organisations creating new models in renewable energy, resource efficiency and electricity savings. These are the pathfinders whose innovations may be replicated to change the face of our energy future.
Youth Leadership & Job Creation
This award celebrates individuals and projects breaking new ground in environmental sustainability. These are the young pioneers whose innovations have the potential to create new jobs in the environmental sector.
Green Technology Innovations
This category rewards projects, organisations and companies at the cutting edge of technological innovations that utilise natural resources more efficiently. These innovations offer real savings for natural capital and possess the potential to be replicated.
Community Conservation
This award showcases the efforts of community groups and organisations that dedicate time and/or resources to environmental sustainability. These models are innovative, inspirational and are making a real difference to communities and their environments.
Biodiversity Stewardship
This award recognises communities, companies, organisations and/or individuals who nurture biodiversity. Their projects ensure that natural systems, biodiversity and ecosystem services are secured on land of high biodiversity value outside of formally protected areas.
Species Conservation
This award celebrates the heroes who are prepared to step in with practical, workable solutions to the poaching of our most endangered species. It honours companies, organisations, projects and individuals who are making a difference in conservation on the ground. This award previously focused on rhino conservation but will now recognise individuals and organisations making extraordinary efforts to protect a single species.
Green Economy Modelling
This award recognises communities, companies, organisations and/or individuals with innovative strategies that promote economic growth based on low carbon development and natural resource efficiency. These are internal and external models that demonstrate best practice in the green economy.
Water Efficiency & Management
This award showcases innovative, effective measures taken to protect our most vulnerable natural resource in the face of climate change. These are replicable models of how to conserve, recycle and/or prevent pollution of water resources.
Editor’s Choice Award
This award, handed out at the editor’s discretion and based on the recommendations of the judges, may be awarded to one of the winners in these categories, or to an entrant who has not won in its specific category but is deemed worthy of special acclaim.
Enter online at: mg.co.za/greening2016