2027 Awards Season

The 2027 E+E Leader Awards Are Open

Entries are being accepted through December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Entrants will be notified of their status by early March 2027, and the 2027 E+E Leader Award winners will be announced globally on Earth Day 2027.

Since 2011, the E+E Leader Awards have recognized the products, projects, and organizational initiatives delivering measurable progress in energy, environmental performance, and sustainability. Today, the program is a trusted benchmark for independent industry recognition.

The strongest entries share a few things in common:

✓  Real numbers. Specific figures — percentage reductions, cost savings, tons of CO₂ avoided, MWh generated — carry far more weight than qualitative descriptions. Judges are practitioners. They know the difference.

✓  Defined scope. The best submissions clearly describe what was done, where, over what timeframe, and at what scale. Vague scope makes outcomes unverifiable.

✓  Honest context. Judges appreciate entries that acknowledge constraints, tradeoffs, or lessons learned. A credible story of how something was solved is more compelling than a polished marketing narrative.

✓  A clear "so what." Why does this matter beyond your organization? Broader applicability — to an industry, a sector, or a problem class — strengthens every category.

Each year, our panel brings together 25+ independent experts in energy, sustainability, EHS, operations, finance, and corporate strategy to evaluate entries through a fair, anonymous, standardized process. Judges receive a scoring rubric, a defined timeline, and a manageable review load — typically 10–20 entries in their area of expertise.

If you're an experienced industry leader interested in serving on the panel, we'd like to hear from you.

Ready to Enter the 2027 E+E Leader Awards?

Entries are open through December 31, 2026. Start your submission now, or prepay first to receive the complete Awards Preparation Kit for collaborative drafting and internal review.

What types of companies are eligible to enter?

The E+E Leader Awards are open to companies, organizations, and teams of any size, sector, or location worldwide. Whether you're a global enterprise, mid-sized innovator, or emerging startup, submissions are welcome from any organization demonstrating leadership in sustainability, energy, or environmental performance.

When is the 2027 entry deadline?

All entries, materials, payments, and category selections must be finalized by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Can I save my entry and come back to it?

Yes. You may save and revise your entry throughout the submission period and return to it as often as needed before the final deadline.

Can I enter the same product or project I submitted in a previous year?

Yes. Repeat entries are encouraged. Many companies achieve wins in multiple years by refining and evolving their products or projects over time.

Can I enter in more than one category, or submit multiple entries?

Yes on both. A single product, project, or initiative may be submitted in multiple categories — each requires a separate entry and fee. There is no limit to the number of entries a company may submit.

How do I know which category is right for my entry?

Review the category descriptions on this page or use the free E+E Leader Awards Category Finder, which asks 10 questions and provides a recommended category along with other possible fits.

Is there a preparation guide for teams working on an entry?

Yes. Entrants who prepay their entry receive the complete 2027 E+E Leader Awards Preparation Kit. It includes editable category-specific entry forms, an Entry Readiness Workbook, a self-scoring readiness scorecard, and category-selection guidance so teams can collaborate before transferring final responses into the official entry platform.

What is the entry fee?

The standard entry fee is $799 for Product, Project, and Spotlight categories. Startup category entries are $299, reflecting our commitment to supporting early-stage companies and emerging innovators. All fees are per entry, per category, and are non-refundable once submitted.

What score do I need to win?

Entries are scored on a 1–5 scale. A score of 4.0 or higher qualifies as a winner. Submissions that rely heavily on promotional language tend to score lower than those focused on specific facts, metrics, and measurable results.

Is my entry confidential if I don't win?

Yes. All entries are confidential throughout the review process. Non-winning entries are not published and participation is not disclosed unless you choose to share it. You will receive written feedback from judges, which many companies use to strengthen and resubmit in future cycles.

When will entrants be notified?

All entrants will be notified of their status by early March 2027. The 2027 E+E Leader Award winners will be announced globally on Earth Day 2027.

What do winners receive to help promote their win?

Winners receive a boilerplate press release, quotes from judges, and the official E+E Leader Award winners badge for use across digital and physical touchpoints — websites, social media, packaging, investor materials, and more. Editorial coverage, newsletter features, and social promotion through E+E Leader's channels are included as well.

Are trophies or plaques available for winners?

Yes. We partner with Rivanna Designs to offer custom trophies and plaques. Ordering instructions and deadlines are provided to winners following notification.

Can I find out who judged my submission?

No. The judging process is anonymous to entrants to ensure unbiased evaluations and protect the integrity of the program. Panel members are independent volunteers and are not disclosed to submitting companies.

How long has the E+E Leader Awards program been running?

The E+E Leader Awards launched in 2011 and has since become a well-established benchmark of excellence in sustainability, energy, and environmental leadership, attracting hundreds of high-quality entries annually from across industries worldwide.

Still have questions? Contact Kay Harrison anytime at kay@environmentenergyleader.com and we'll be happy to help.