International Sustainability Awards Publish New Shortlist; Winners to Be Announced Q1 2026
LONDON, November 20, 2025 – The International Sustainability Awards (ISA) today published its highly anticipated 2026 shortlist, identifying 85 finalists from a record-breaking 1,200 entries submitted by organizations spanning 47 countries. Winners will be unveiled at the awards ceremony scheduled for March 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, marking the program’s tenth anniversary of recognizing global excellence in environmental and social impact.
The 2026 shortlist reflects a significant maturation in corporate sustainability practice, with entries demonstrating measurable outcomes rather than aspirational commitments. Finalists were selected through a rigorous three-stage evaluation process conducted by an independent jury of 23 sustainability leaders, including chief sustainability officers from Fortune 500 companies and academic experts from leading business schools. Evaluation criteria emphasized verifiable impact data, third-party assurance, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and emerging EU sustainability regulations.
This year’s finalists illustrate a decisive industry shift toward scalable solutions addressing climate resilience, biodiversity restoration, and social equity. According to recent industry analysis, the corporate sustainability awards sector has expanded by 34% year-over-year, driven by heightened investor scrutiny and regulatory pressures. A June 2025 report from Sustainability Magazine reveals that awards programs have become critical validation mechanisms as companies navigate increasingly complex ESG disclosure requirements . The analysis found that recognized organizations experience a 2.3x increase in stakeholder trust scores compared to non-recognized peers, underscoring the strategic value of independent sustainability validation.
“The quality and sophistication of this year’s entries demonstrate that sustainability is no longer a peripheral corporate function but a central driver of innovation and competitive advantage,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez, ISA Executive Director. “We’ve witnessed extraordinary submissions showcasing everything from AI-powered food waste reduction platforms to community-led reforestation projects that restore both ecosystems and livelihoods. These finalists prove that measurable, scalable impact is achievable across every sector and geography.”
Market research validates this trajectory. A November 2024 Forrester study commissioned by Workiva found that 68% of companies not required to adopt EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) standards plan to do so voluntarily, while 76% of executives rank effective sustainability communication as critical to investor relations . However, data integrity remains a challenge: 57% of organizations struggle to collect trustworthy sustainability metrics, creating demand for verified third-party recognition like the ISA program. This year’s shortlist prioritized submissions with limited assurance or higher verification levels, with 73% of finalists providing externally audited impact data.
The winners’ announcement ceremony on March 15, 2026, at Geneva’s International Conference Centre will feature keynote addresses from former UN climate envoys and showcase impact documentaries from top-performing finalists. The event will also debut the ISA Impact Fund, a new initiative directing $2.5 million in grants toward scaling the most promising early-stage sustainability innovations from the developing world, which represent 41% of this year’s shortlisted projects.
About the International Sustainability Awards
Founded in 2016, the International Sustainability Awards recognize and amplify transformative sustainability achievements across the global business community. Previous winners include renewable energy pioneers, circular economy innovators, and social enterprises that have collectively reduced 450 million tons of CO2 emissions and improved 12 million lives through scalable programs. The ISA operates as an independent nonprofit organization governed by a board of sustainability leaders from academia, civil society, and multinational corporations, ensuring rigorous, unbiased evaluation.
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