Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards

INNOVATION MEETS IMPACT

THE AD NET ZERO AWARDS 2025 ARE OPEN FOR ENTRY

The Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards recognise and reward all impactful sustainability initiatives of agencies, brands, public sector organisations, charities and NGOs, media owners and platforms – from bold ideas to tangible results.

This is your platform to showcase innovative campaigns, pioneering projects, collaborative ventures and groundbreaking initiatives that are driving the sustainable advertising space globally.

In today's climate-conscious world, consumers and potential employees are increasingly drawn to organisations with strong sustainability credentials.

Our comprehensive categories are open to global entrants but will be split out and awarded regionally to the following regions: UK, EMEA, APAC, The Americas

KEY DATES

Launch: 27 March

Early Bird Deadline: 29 May

Standard Deadline: 17 July

Awards Ceremony: 13 November

PRICES

Early Bird: £499 (* Discounted SME Price £250)

Standard: £599 (* Discounted SME Price £300)

* An SME is defined as a company with 1-249 employees and a turnover under £50 million

All prices exclude VAT. Price per entry

Best Practice

Best Practice in Sustainability

This award will recognise best practice in building a more sustainable way of working within an organisation. It is open to all companies and split into five sub-categories. We are looking for examples of leadership that should be encouraged and adopted more broadly by our industry.
The five sub-categories are:
Sustainability Best Practice Award - Ad Tech Services
Sustainability Best Practice Award - Agency
Sustainability Best Practice Award - Advertiser/Brand
Sustainability Best Practice Award - Media Owner
Sustainability Best Practice Award - Production/Experiential

Best Practice in Sustainable Ad Production (most innovative production using green tools)

We will be looking for evidence of steps taken to measure, reduce and report and carbon involved in the production of advertising. This could include reports from carbon calculators such as the one offered by AdGreen, along with details on decisions made to actively reduce carbon from ad production while maintaining the full creative impact.

Best Practice in Sustainable Media Planning (carbon measurement and management using innovative processes)

We will be looking for evidence of how the carbon footprint of a media plan was considered, what information was used to inform choices about different media channels, whether there was a carbon value attached to the media plan, whether that was accounted for or off-set, if any media decisions can demonstrate a reduction in carbon without impacting the reach and performance of the campaign.

Best Practice in Sustainable Events and/or Awards

We will be looking for evidence of how the decisions made around the development and delivery of an event and/or awards was informed by information about the carbon involved in its different aspects, whether a tool like a carbon calculator was used to track this carbon, how decisions helped to reduce the carbon impact and examples of best practice for future events.

Sector

These are open to global entrants. Recognising progress against Action 5 of the Ad Net Zero Action Plan: These awards explore how a net zero economy is being supported through examples of the industry’s work to create positive behaviour change. In this work, it will be critical to show an understanding of the sustainability problem you seek to solve, how the campaign has addressed this and led to a better outcome, while also supporting the commercial goals of the organisation.
The specialist categories for entries are mapped against the key sectors of the net zero economy and entries can be for work that is B2C or B2B or a combination of both.

Automotive, Travel & Transport

Business & Industrial

Clothing & Accessories

Beauty

Food & Drink

Entertainment, Gaming & Leisure (incl. gardening & agriculture and leisure equipment)

Finance

Government / Public Sector

Health & Wellbeing

Household FMCG (incl. equipment & DIY)

Media

NGO / Charity

Technology, Hardware, Office & Household Appliances

Retail (incl. online retail and mail order)

Telecoms

Innovation

There are three other categories for entries to demonstrate work that is bringing about sustainable behaviour change:
These are open to global entrants.

Best Start-up (a company less than three years old - founded after 1 January 2021)

This category recognizes a start-up that has shown outstanding innovation and impact in its early stages, contributing to sustainability or environmental initiatives. With a focus on companies founded after 1 January 2021, this award highlights fresh ideas that have the potential to make a lasting difference in the fight for a net-zero future.

Best Business Transformation (from any sector)

Awarded to a company that has undergone a significant and impactful transformation toward sustainable business practices. This category celebrates organizations from any sector that have effectively integrated sustainability into their operations, strategies, and culture, leading to measurable environmental benefits.

Best Progress / Long-Term Change (a company which is demonstrating year-on-year improvements from a long-running campaign)

This category acknowledges a company that has shown consistent and tangible progress in sustainability over an extended period. By demonstrating continuous, year-on-year improvements, the award celebrates organizations that have implemented long-term campaigns, evolving their practices for greater environmental impact while driving long-lasting change in their industry.

Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability (Individual or Team)

This category celebrates the exceptional individuals or teams whose dedication, leadership, and innovative efforts are driving meaningful change within the sustainability sector. Whether through pioneering projects, advocacy, or inspiring others to take action, this award recognizes those whose work is making a profound and lasting impact on advancing the net-zero agenda. From thought leaders to change-makers on the ground, this category honours those at the forefront of creating a more sustainable future.

Grand Prix (Not Open For Entry)

In addition, the judges will award the Campaign Ad Net Zero Grand Prix award which will be chosen from the winners of earlier categories. Companies cannot apply to enter the Grand Prix.

Seb Munden

Ad Net Zero

Learn more about Seb

Alessandra Bellini

Ad Net Zero

Learn more about Alessandra

Show the way forward

Set an example to others by exhibiting what sustainable advertising looks like. Inspire others to get involved, take accountability to reduce environmental footprint and accelerate the transition to net zero.

Stand out as a sustainable leader

Showcase your groundbreaking initiatives and innovative campaigns. Gain recognition as a leader who is advancing sustainable practices and driving positive change within the wider advertising industry.

Applaud your team

It's time to acknowledge your hard-working team that's making a real impact. Entering will not only boost employee morale, but also enhance your organisation's value, attract top talent, and strengthen your relationships with environmentally aware clients.

Boost your reputation and credibility

Your work and initiatives could be published across both Campaign's platforms and to the vast Ad Net Zero network. This signals to clients and partners that you are serious about sustainability and are making a tangible impact.

AMPLIFY YOUR WIN

If you're a winner at these awards, shout about your success even more with our amplification package.

You’ve had a cracking day out, you’ve picked up an award, you’ve slept off the celebrations, but do the people that really matter know you’ve won big?

We’re here to help. We want to get your win out there, to the audience, in front of prospective clients and competitors. We need to inspire AdLand to do better!

That’s why we’ve put together an instant shout-about-it package: quick turnaround content that won’t destroy your marketing budget.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE AMPLIFICATION PACKAGE?

THE AD NET ZERO PROGRAMME

Ad Net Zero is a global climate action programme to help the advertising industry tackle the climate emergency by decarbonising ad operations and supporting every industry to accurately promote sustainable products and services. Originally founded by the Advertising Association in partnership with the IPA and ISBA, Ad Net Zero launched its 5-point action plan in the UK in November 2020. Ad Net Zero has widespread backing from across the industry and proudly counts support from the world’s six biggest agency holding groups, media owners, tech companies, advertisers, and independent creative and production agencies. 8 out of 10 of the world’s largest ad agencies are Ad Net Zero supporters, and almost three quarters of online ad spend is serviced by Ad Net Zero supporters.

Entries for these awards are available to the whole industry.

"Campaign is pleased to partner with Ad Net Zero on these important sustainability awards, which recognise how brands and their agency and media partners are driving measurable progress and making genuine impact. We want the Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards to be a benchmark of excellence and we have introduced more international categories for different regions around the world this year -- because global collaboration is key to tackling the climate emergency.”

Gideon Spanier, UK editor-in-chief of Campaign and chair of British Society of Magazine Editors