Sustainable Natural Resource Management

Recognising excellence in sustainable resource management, protecting, and enhancing biodiversity, water, air and soil.

Recognising excellence in sustainable resource management, protecting, and enhancing biodiversity, water, air and soil. This category celebrates organisations that are protecting our planet through responsible operations, value chains and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 

We seek projects of any scale that demonstrate a commitment to preserving biodiversity, minimising environmental impact, advancing towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions across operational activities and throughout the value chain. 

  • This could be done through site remediation, habitat creation, pollutant reduction, or the utilisation of natural materials leading to sustainable practices that foster resilience in our ecosystems. 
  • Significant progress in reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions over three successive years and developed or applied best practices in Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction, including the adoption of new and innovative technologies to enhance manufacturing process sustainability.
  • Significant progress in reducing value chain (Scope 3) emissions, including emissions from raw materials, manufacture, transport, storage, sale, use, and disposal, over a period of two successive years, and developed or applied best practices in Scope 3 emission reduction.

Judging criteria

The judges will be looking for:

  • Demonstrating a company ethos committed to achieving net-zero operations
  • Baseline emissions established using an appropriate emissions calculator and transparently reported in successive annual reports
  • Setting clear, demonstrable targets for future emissions reduction progress
  • Implementing new innovations or methods to effectively reduce emissions, with special commendation for inspirational approaches
  • Contributing to the sustainable use of natural materials and biodiversity protection
  • Embracing a long-term perspective and demonstrating continuity in sustainability efforts
  • Exhibiting creativity and originality in sustainability initiatives
  • Producing measurable results, such as improvements to biodiversity or human health/wellness
  • Employing an effective strategy with clearly articulated goals, appropriate success metrics, and thorough evaluation of impacts

Key dates

  • 1 March IOM3 Sustainable Future Awards 2024 launch
  • 1 May 23:59 BST Deadline for entries 
  • 16 September Shortlisted finalists announced 
  • November Awards ceremony