The Observer Ethical Awards 2015 - in association with Ecover - has now launched, marking the tenth birthday of a much-loved British institution which has come to be known as ‘the green Oscars’.
Since 2005, the awards has recognised the extraordinary businesses, communities and individuals in the UK helping us all live more sustainably - from grassroots clean energy projects, to fearless activists, to students growing clothes from bacteria. As a respected and hotly anticipated event on the UK social calendar, the awards have in turn provided a crucial boost to their projects and campaigns, shining a light on the nation’s unsung green heroes. It remains the only awards of its kind hosted by a national newspaper.
This year’s event aims to both celebrate and build on that legacy. The category list has been thoroughly shaken up, with the addition of a brand new film and television award, supported by BAFTA; the ethical wildlife award, which acknowledges conservation efforts; and - fitting the anniversary theme - best ethical product of the decade. The judging panel will also see some familiar faces returning, with a ‘greatest hits’ line up which draws from a decade of inspiring and dedicated celebrity panellists - including queen of the green carpet Livia Firth, television presenter Katie Piper, musician VV Brown and poet Ben Okri.
Awards founder and judge Lucy Siegle said:
“Over the last decade the Observer Ethical Awards has boosted the profile of social and environmental justice in the UK, launched some of the brightest new stars in sustainability and set businesses, activists and young green champions up with a glowing sustainable future, not least through generous bursaries and support from our sponsors.
We think this is a legacy to be proud of. This year, on our tenth anniversary, we’re celebrating all of these achievements and voting for a clutch of new change-makers with new categories and brilliant judges. Don’t miss the opportunity to get involved!”
Ecover UK General Manager Richard Peake said:
“It is great to be continuing our support of the Observer Ethical Awards, especially in its tenth year. Every time we are involved we are amazed and delighted at the inspiration and creativity of the entries. It is always such a great event to be a part of and the awards ceremony itself is a brilliant opportunity to meet the current and next generation of ethical champions.”
Winners will be announced at the ceremony on 2 July at the Victoria and Albert Museum and will feature in a special issue of the Observer Magazine. Past winners include The Community of Arran Seabed Trust, who went on to help change the law on marine conservation, Malala Yousafzai, Lenny Henry, and Anne Power, the anti fracking campaigner from Salford who was presented with her award last year by Bianca Jagger.
Nominations are now open for all categories here. Shortlists will be announced at the end of May when we will invite voting for public voted categories.
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Notes to editors
About awards sponsor, Ecover
Ecover have been pioneering green science for over 30 years to bring you effective, naturally-derived cleaning and laundry products. These products are inspired by the cleverness of nature to give you a cleaner clean using plant-based and mineral ingredients that are better for you and the planet.
Instead of using petroleum-based ingredients, we look to unexpected sources in nature to develop a cleaner clean, and our pioneering principles extend far beyond the products we create. Ecover’s vision of sustainability takes ecological, economic and social aspects into account from the origins of the raw materials, to the complete biodegradation of the final products. Even our packaging is made from sustainably sourced sugarcane rather than petroleum.
Our products originate from our unique ecological factories in Belgium and France, both factories are crowned with a green roof that supports wild flowers and sedum which is effective at regulating both temperature and noise throughout the year. The factory’s energy consumption is kept to a minimum and employees are encouraged to travel to work regularly by bicycle or car share.
Ecover consistently leads the way in ethical standards with its products, management and production methods, and as a pioneer within a rapidly growing industry, we are thrilled to be involved with the 10th year of the Observer Ethical Awards in 2015.
We can’t wait to see the innovative and inspirational people who are nominated, and ultimately who win one of the nine awards on offer. Our hope is that through both our use pioneering green science and support of the awards we encourage many more people to follow a more sustainable way of living for the future.
For further information on the awards entry process, contact:
Saoirse Richardson, Guardian events team; saoirse.richardson@theguardian.com / 020 3353 2597
For media enquiries, contact Jonathan Jacobs, GNM press office,
jonathan.jacobs@theguardian.com / 020 3353 3696
