Emerging Businesses in Climate Action

Innovative, sustainable solutions from emerging enterprises are crucial in addressing the accelerating climate crisis. These businesses develop groundbreaking technologies, products, and services that significantly reduce emissions and drive the transition to a low-carbon economy across various sectors.

With the IPCC warning that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 to limit warming to 1.5°C, urgent and scalable climate action is crucial. Emerging businesses are driving this transformation by replacing conventional models with innovative, high-impact solutions that foster rapid growth and systemic change.

This category recognises forward-thinking enterprises that demonstrate strong innovation, measurable environmental outcomes, and clear potential for scalability. These businesses not only embed sustainability into their operations but also enable broader industry and consumer shifts toward climate resilience.

Solutions may span a wide range of critical areas, including renewable energy, green mobility, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, climate-smart infrastructure, waste management, climate risk & adaptation, carbon removal, and climate tech software.

Applicants for the Emerging Businesses in Climate Action award should clearly demonstrate the following:

• Strategic Integration of Climate Goals:How climate action is embedded within the core business strategy, operations, and decision-making processes.
• Innovation and Uniqueness: Evidence of pioneering or game-changing approaches in technology, product, service, or business model that advance climate mitigation, adaptation, or sustainability.
• Measurable Environmental Impact:Quantitative or qualitative data evidencing real or anticipated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, resource efficiencies, or other significant climate-positive outcomes.
• Scalability and Market Potential: Clear indication of the enterprise’s potential for growth, replication, and broader adoption to accelerate climate impact across sectors or geographies.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstration of leadership within the sector and engagement with partners, stakeholders, or communities to enhance climate innovation and systemic change.
• Business Viability and Sustainability: Evidence that sustainability initiatives contribute to the enterprise’s long-term financial and operational viability.

Applicants are encouraged to provide clear, data-backed examples and narratives that reflect these criteria. The goal is to recognise emerging businesses that not only innovate but also deliver tangible, scalable climate solutions while strengthening their market and societal contributions

To reflect business maturity, the category includes two subcategories:

• Start-up: Early-stage ventures with pilots, prototypes, or initial market validation, showing strong innovation and high impact potential.
• Scale-up: Growth-stage enterprises with proven business models, measurable climate outcomes, and significant expansion capacity.