Deadline: 16-Jun-23
Entries are now being accepted for the 11th Edition of the Earth Care Awards to showcase impactful, practical, scalable, and replicable cutting-edge solutions for our planet that can respond to the challenges posed by climate change.
Started in 2008, The Earth Care Awards (ECAs), a joint initiative of JSW and The Times of India group have been recognizing and championing efforts towards climate mitigation and adaptation. The awards aim to recognize the work of individuals, organizations, and communities that are leading the way in combatting climate change, from reducing their carbon footprints to developing innovative technologies and initiatives.
Over the last 15 years, the ECAs now in their 11th edition, have evolved into a definitive platform that celebrates change leaders with widespread recognition amongst industries, non-governmental and community-based organisations, and government institutions across India and South Asia.
Award Categories
- Category I: Community Based Climate Action
- Climate change is a complex problem that requires collaboration across different sectors and stakeholders. At the COP-27, community-centred approaches were highlighted as a key enabler towards responding to climate related risks.
- This category recognises the organisations implementing initiatives led by the community and/ or for the community exemplifying participatory approaches. These initiatives should respond to an established need for climate action for/ by a given community. These initiatives may focus on community-based climate action in and around climate change adaptation and mitigation mechanisms including (but not limited to) the themes of –
- Natural resources management, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable agriculture & allied livelihoods (promotion/augmentation), Sustainable harvesting, Water security, Food security, Climate resilient infrastructure, Climate-induced disaster management, Climate induced migration, Health & nutrition, Energy supply & conservation, Climate friendly/aware supply chains, Education, Gender mainstreaming, Ecosystem conservation, etc.
- Category II: Innovation in Climate Action
- The UNFCC in 2021, recognised that the complexity and urgency of the challenges posed by climate change require disruptive climate solutions for technology, policy, finance, business models, leadership and capacity building that are key to accelerate low-emission and climate-resilient development. Such innovative solutions can help to drive down costs, increase efficiencies, and bring about systemic changes to overcome critical barriers to climate resilience.
- This award celebrates the transformative innovations by individuals, NGOs, and startups, that can enable a climate resilient future. The category focuses on recognising the development and/ or use of innovative products, services, and/or practices for enhancing the capacities of people/ the planet to adapt to or mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. These innovative solutions can be across the themes of (but not limited to):
- Natural Resources Management, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable agriculture & allied livelihoods (promotion/augmentation), Sustainable harvesting, Water security, Food security, Climate resilient infrastructure, Climate-induced disaster management, Climate induced migration, Health & nutrition, Energy supply & conservation, Climate friendly/aware supply chains, Education, Gender mainstreaming, Ecosystem conservation, Financing solutions, Transportation, Circular economy, etc.
- Category III: Business Leadership in Climate Action
- South Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate shocks. According to the World Bank, more than 750 million people in South Asia were affected by one or more climate-related events in the last two decades. Through various campaigns and initiatives, businesses are collectively working towards mitigating and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. The Business Ambition for 1.5o C brings together nearly 700 organisations that are implementing plans to halve emissions globally by 2030. As key stakeholders of climate action, businesses are now driving and adopting solutions to prevent, mitigate, and adapt to climate change.
- This category aims to recognise the industry stalwarts that are driving transformational efforts in climate excellence and innovation in themes such as (but not limited to) climate neutrality / reduction in GHG emissions, climate change adaptation and/ or resource efficiency.
- Category IV: Women Leaders in Climate Action
- Women’s participation and leadership is essential for climate action. To effectively combat climate change, women must be fully and equally represented in decision-making, planning, and implementation. The UN Secretary-General has singled out women’s leadership for their ability as “drivers of climate solutions” when they are empowered. Women have unique knowledge and experience, especially at the local level, and it is essential for effective climate action that they are included in decision-making processes.
- This award category intends to celebrate critical leadership and partnership of women in addressing climate change. This includes women entrepreneurs and/ or women leaders working towards climate action as a part of an organisation or in their individual capacities. The aim is to recognise women change makers who are driving transformative and ambitious initiatives to address key challenges posed by climate change including (but not limited to) the themes of –
- Natural resources management, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable agriculture & allied livelihoods (promotion/augmentation), Sustainable harvesting, Water security, Food security, Climate resilient infrastructure, Climate-induced disaster management, Climate induced migration, Health & nutrition, Energy supply & conservation, Climate friendly/aware supply chains, Education, Gender mainstreaming, Ecosystem conservation, etc.
- Category V: Enablers for Urban Centered Climate Change Management
- Cities face a complex set of climate risks that can have significant impacts on their residents, economies, and ecosystems. It is important for cities to develop comprehensive climate adaptation and mitigation strategies that address these risks and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The climate emergency, coupled with the massive disruption and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cities and towns across the world, has amplified the importance and urgency of securing sustainable urban futures. Now, more than ever, civic bodies have a critical role to play in the development, implementation and scaling up of climate resilience measures to ensure sustainable urban development.
- This award category recognises the exemplary contribution of government bodies, municipalities, cities and towns towards driving urban resilience through climate mitigation and adaptation. The initiatives can be across the themes (but not limited to) of:
- Natural resources management, Biodiversity conservation, Green infrastructure, Water security, Sustainable food systems, Climate resilient infrastructure, Climate-induced disaster management, Energy supply & conservation, Climate friendly/aware supply chains, Ecosystem conservation, Health systems, Education, etc.
- Category VI: Enterprises in the Renewable Energy Space
- According to the World Bank, the energy sector was South Asia’s largest greenhouse gas emitter in 2022. These emissions are expected to rise, especially with the growing demand for energy and a high dependency on fossil fuel imports, triggering an immediate need for decarbonisation. Renewable energy (RE) sources are critical in this transition to green, secure, and affordable energy. A shift towards renewable energy sources can help countries mitigate the risks of climate change and ensure equitable access to energy while meeting long-term energy demands and reducing the economic burden of unpredictable pricing.
- This category aims to recognise those RE players that ease access to RE sources, make it affordable and/ or improve energy supply to underserved areas. These solutions/ initiatives in renewable energy can be across (but not limited to) the demand-side, supply-side, decentralised or grid connected, standalone product(s), or services, micro or pico-grid solutions, etc.
Benefit
- Earth Care Awards (ECAs) provides an unparalleled opportunity to be recognised for your efforts towards climate mitigation and adaptation. The awards celebrate and reward individuals, organisations, and communities that have made significant contributions in the field of climate action. It not only provides recognition but also offers a platform for sharing best practices and enabling knowledge exchange among change makers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants from any South Asian country can apply for the 11th Earth Care Awards.
- Category I: Community Based Climate Action
- Government body
- NGOs/ Trust
- Autonomous/ Apex bodies
- Community-based organisations
- Private companies
- Multilateral agencies
- Academic institutions
- Category II: Innovation in Climate Action
- Start-ups
- Individuals
- NGOs
- Category III: Business Leadership in Climate Action
- Private companies
- Public companies
- One person companies
- Category IV: Women Leaders in Climate Action
- Woman entrepreneur or the organisation she has founded
- Woman leader or the organisation she is leading
- Women driving similar projects in an individual capacity or through partnerships
- Category V: Enablers for Urban Centered Climate Change Management
- Municipal/ Civic bodies
- Government bodies
- NGOs/ Trusts
- Autonomous/ Apex bodies
- Category VI: Enterprises in the Renewable Energy Space
- Mirco-scale organisations
- Small-scale organisations
- Medium-scale organisations
- Large-scale organisations
- Please note: The solution/ initiative/ product applied for ECAs should have been implemented/ deployed in the last five years (i.e., between 2018-2023).
For more information, visit of Earth Care Awards.