Premier's Sustainability Awards – Award categories
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards categories were designed to reflect the focus of sustainability activity in Victoria and align with global best practice. From 2021, the awards were aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognising and rewarding initiatives that drive Victoria’s transition towards a sustainable, net zero and circular economy.
Award types
Each of the 6 award categories were open for entries in 2 award types:
- Community Champion
- Industry Leader.
Eligibility was determined by organisation type, size and other criteria as listed below. There were 12 categories open for entries.
Community Champion
Recognised initiatives by the following types of entrants:
- Individuals.
- Small charities and not-for-profits, and community groups (annual revenue under $250,000).
- Businesses with less than 20 employees.
- Childcare centres, kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools.
- Local government – boroughs, rural cities, and shires.
Industry Leader
Recognised initiatives by the following types of entrants:
- Medium and large charities, and not-for-profits (annual revenue of $250,000 or more).
- Businesses with over 20 employees.
- TAFEs, universities, and other higher education institutions.
- Victorian state government departments, agencies, and authorities.
- Federal government departments, agencies and authorities who are Victorian based, or where projects and initiatives are specifically undertaken in Victoria.
Categories
Circular economy innovation
2022 Community Champion winner, Fungi Solutions. Accelerating Victoria’s transition to a more circular economy, keeping products and materials in use at their highest value.
Eligible entries included initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Focused on responsible design, production and consumption of materials and resources.
- Promoted more sustainable business models that keep materials in use (e.g. service-based models).
- Maintained a harmonious and regenerative relationship with nature to create a sustainable circular economy.
- Demonstrated how circular solutions can be scaled across businesses, sectors, or whole systems.
- Increased knowledge about circular economy solutions.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17.
Proudly sponsored in 2023 by Melbourne Water.
Future energy
2022 finalist, Beyond Zero Emissions. Providing clean, affordable and secure energy for all Victorians and transitioning Victoria to net zero emissions.
Eligible entries included initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Demonstrated uptake of innovative renewable energy technologies.
- Expanded clean energy infrastructure.
- Supported increased energy efficiency.
- Promoted energy-related behaviour change.
- Increased knowledge about clean, affordable, and secure energy.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17.
Proudly sponsored in 2023 by Momentum Energy.
Healthy and fair society
2022 finalist, Food is Free Inc. Promoting increased awareness and support for the physical/mental health, equity and wellbeing of all Victorians to create a resilient, healthy and happy community.
Eligible entries included initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Fostered diversity, inclusion, and gender equality.
- Enhanced representation or participation of minorities.
- Addressed inequities in social or environmental settings, such as shelter, sustenance and healthcare.
- Supported exemplary social procurement or local employment.
- Increased knowledge about social or economic inequality issues.
All entries also had to demonstrate sustainable practices in the delivery of the initiative consistent with Victoria’s transition to a circular net zero economy.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17.
Sustainable places
2022 Industry Leader winner, North Western Program Alliance. Creating places and communities that are sustainable, resilient, and liveable.
Eligible entries included initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Involved the design, construction or upgrading of sustainable and resilient spaces or infrastructure.
- Demonstrated sustainable urban design practices.
- Promoted sustainable planning outcomes.
- Protected cultural heritage.
- Encouraged innovation in the built environment.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17.
Thriving environment
2022 Community Champion winner, Euroa Arboretum. Regenerating, protecting and enhancing Victorian ecosystems, ensuring they are secured and flourish for future generations.
Eligible entries included initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Managed adverse impacts on the environment (eg noise, air quality etc.).
- Regenerated, conserved and protected ecosystems and species.
- Promoted healthy environment habits (eg water saving initiatives).
- Increased knowledge about environmental regeneration, protection, and conservation.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 14, 15 and 17.
Proudly sponsored in 2023 by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Waste and recycling solutions
2022 finalist, City of Geelong. Enabling responsible disposal, recovery and reuse of resources and minimise what goes into landfill.
Eligible entries included initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Focused on responsible recovery and reuse of materials and resources.
- Reduced waste generation in line with waste hierarchy principles.
- Promoted waste-related behaviour change to reduce waste to landfill.
- Demonstrated innovative technological solutions to waste recovery and recycling challenges.
- Increased knowledge about waste reduction.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 17.
Proudly sponsored in 2023 by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
