The ESDA Green Awards 2026 are among the flagship annual recognitions of the Environment and Social Development Association (ESDA India), established to honour outstanding individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to environmental protection, sustainability, scientific research, innovation, education, technology, and social development.
The Awards recognize excellence across diverse disciplines, including environmental science, engineering and technology, agriculture, biodiversity, climate change, environmental health, biotechnology, environmental economics, education for sustainability, ESG, community development, women empowerment, human rights, and other initiatives that contribute to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable world.
The Awards celebrate distinguished faculty members, scientists, researchers, environmentalists, innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, institutions, industries, NGOs, and visionary leaders whose work has demonstrated excellence, innovation, leadership, and lasting impact on society and the environment.
The ESDA Green Awards 2026 will be presented during the World Environment Summit 2026, to be held on 22–26 October 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This prestigious award honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, lifelong dedication, and outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability, scientific research, education, public service, or society, creating a lasting impact in their respective fields.
Categories: Distinguished Faculty • Renowned Environmentalists • Visionary Leaders • Dedicated Activists • Eminent Scientists • Accomplished Entrepreneurs
Eligibility Criteria:
• Age: 60 years or above
• Nomination only by the ESDA Governing Body Members
• No direct application is accepted
The ESDA Fellowship Award (F.E.S.D.A.) is a prestigious professional honour conferred upon eminent academicians, scientists, and researchers in recognition of their distinguished contributions to research, higher education, innovation, academic leadership, and environmental or social development.
Categories:
Eminent Academicians • Scientists • Professors • Research Leaders
Eligibility Criteria:
• Age: 45 years or above
• Must be a Patron Member of ESDA India
• Holding or having held a senior academic or scientific position, such as Professor, Director, Scientist-F/E, College Principal, or Associate Professor, with at least 10 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated outstanding academic achievements throughhigh-quality publications, patents, externally funded research projects, Ph.D. supervision, innovation, and significant contributions to teaching, research, and society.
The ESDA Global Green Leadership Award is one of the highest honours conferred by the ESDA India. The Award recognizes visionary leaders and distinguished organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and transformative contributions towards environmental protection, climate action, sustainable development, green innovation, environmental governance, and global sustainability. It honours individuals and institutions whose leadership has inspired positive change, influenced policies, strengthened institutions, and created a significant and lasting impact on society and the environment at the national or international level.
Categories: Individuals and Organizations
Individuals
Heads of Institutions • Vice Chancellors • Directors • Distinguished Scientists • Senior Academicians • Policymakers • Government Officials • Corporate Leaders • Entrepreneurs • Environmentalists • NGO Leaders • International Development Leaders
Organizations
Universities • Research Institutions • Government Organizations • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) • Corporate Organizations • Industries • International Organizations • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) • Foundations • Consultancies
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals
Organizations
The ESDA Environmental Excellence Award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, pollution prevention, natural resource management, environmental research, innovation, education, policy, and community engagement. The Award honours excellence in advancing environmental stewardship and creating a significant and lasting positive impact on the environment and society.
Categories: Individuals and Organizations
Individuals
Distinguished Faculty • Renowned Environmentalists • Visionary Leaders • Dedicated Activists • Eminent Scientists • Accomplished Entrepreneurs
Organizations
Universities • Colleges • Schools • Educational Institutions • Research Institutes • Corporate Organizations • Industries • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) • Consultancies • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals
Organizations
The ESDA Sustainability Excellence Award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, innovation, and sustainable development through exemplary policies, practices, research, and community engagement.
Category
Organizations Only:
Universities • Colleges • Schools• Educational Institutions • Research Institutes • Corporate Organizations • Industries • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) • Consultancies • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Institutions
Corporate Organizations, Industries, PSUs, Consultancies & NGOs
The ESDA Eminent Scientist Award honours distinguished scientists and academicians for their exceptional contributions to scientific research, innovation, higher education, and environmental or social development. The Award recognizes individuals whose outstanding research, academic excellence, and leadership have significantly advanced science and benefited society.
Categories
Scientists • Professors • Faculty Members in Science Disciplines
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Academic Excellence Award recognizes outstanding academicians for their exceptional contributions to higher education, scientific research, innovation, teaching excellence, academic leadership, and the advancement of environmental and social development.
Category
Eminent Academicians • Scientists • Faculty Members in Science and Humanities Disciplines
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Senior Scientist Award recognizes distinguished scientists and academicians for their outstanding contributions to scientific research, innovation, higher education, technology development, and environmental or social development. The Award honours individuals whose excellence in research and academic leadership has significantly advanced their respective disciplines.
Category: Scientists • Faculty Members in Higher Education
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Education Excellence Award recognizes outstanding educators for their exceptional contributions to teaching, academic excellence, educational innovation, student development, and the advancement of quality education. The Award honours teachers who have demonstrated excellence in education through innovation, leadership, and a lasting impact on learners and society.
Category: Individual Award – Teachers (School, College & University)
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Women Empowerment Award recognizes outstanding women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to women’s empowerment, gender equality, education, social justice, community development, and sustainable development.
Category: Individual Award (Women)
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Environmentalist Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and meaningful contributions to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, climate action, natural resource management, environmental education, public awareness, and community-based environmental action. The Award honours environmental champions whose dedication, service, and grassroots initiatives have created a lasting positive impact on nature, communities, and society.
Category
Individual Award
Environmentalists • Community Leaders • Environmental Activists • Conservationists • Farmers • Educators • Scientists • Faculty Members • Researchers • Social Workers • Entrepreneurs • Volunteers • Sustainability Professionals
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Young Scientist Award recognizes outstanding young scientists and researchers for their exceptional contributions to scientific research, innovation, technology, and environmental or social development. The Award honours early-career professionals who have demonstrated excellence in research, publications, innovation, and academic achievements with the potential to become future leaders in science and technology.
Category
Scientists • Researchers • Faculty Members
Eligibility Criteria
Demonstrated potential for leadership and excellence in research, innovation, and scientific advancement
The ESDA Young Researcher Award recognizes outstanding young researchers and research scholars for their promising contributions to scientific research, innovation, academic excellence, and environmental or social development. The Award honours emerging researchers who have demonstrated exceptional research potential, scholarly achievements, and a strong commitment to advancing knowledge through quality research.
Category
Research Scholars • Early-Career Researchers
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Safety Professional Excellence Award recognizes outstanding Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals for their exceptional contributions to occupational health and safety, environmental management, risk mitigation, workplace safety, sustainability, and organizational excellence. The Award honours professionals whose leadership, innovation, and best practices have significantly enhanced workplace safety, environmental protection, and employee well-being.
Category
EHS Professionals • HSE Professionals • Safety Managers • EHS Managers • Safety Officers • Safety Engineers • EHS Consultants • Safety Entrepreneurs
Eligibility Criteria
The ESDA Green Technology Award recognizes outstanding organizations that have demonstrated excellence in developing, adopting, and implementing innovative green technologies, sustainable products, clean manufacturing processes, and environmentally responsible solutions. The Award honours organizations whose technological innovations have significantly contributed to environmental protection, resource efficiency, climate action, pollution prevention, and sustainable industrial development.
Category
Industries (Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Construction, Energy, Mining, Automotive, Electronics, Food Processing, etc.) • Corporate Organizations • Technology Companies • Consultancies • Laboratories • Hospitals • Research & Development Organizations • Educational Institutions • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Eligibility Criteria
The World Environment Summit 2026 and the ESDA Green Awards 2026 are organized by the Environment and Social Development Association (ESDA India) on a self-sustaining, no-profit, no-loss basis. The Summit and Awards are made possible through participant support, as ESDA India does not receive any government, corporate, or external financial assistance for organizing these prestigious international events.
No Award Application Fee
There is no application, nomination, or processing fee for any ESDA Green Award. All Awards are conferred solely on the basis of merit, professional excellence, achievements, leadership, and significant contributions in the respective fields.
Award Ceremony Participation Charges
Selected awardees will be required to pay a nominal Event Participation Charge to cover the actual expenses associated with the Award Ceremony and Conference, including the conference venue, hospitality, meals, conference kit, award trophy, certificate, event management, and other organizational arrangements.
Transparency & Fairness
The Event Participation Charge is determined solely on the basis of actual event expenses and will be communicated to all selected awardees well in advance. ESDA India does not generate any financial profit from the ESDA Green Awards Programme.
Merit-Based Selection
The ESDA Green Awards are a symbol of professional excellence and integrity. Award selection is based exclusively on merit and is never influenced by sponsorships, donations, financial contributions, or any other commercial considerations. All nominations and applications are evaluated independently by the ESDA Awards Selection Committee, whose decision shall be final and binding.
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