Categories
The Unlock Net Zero Awards shine a spotlight on the innovators, teams, and organisations leading the way toward a sustainable future.
We celebrate bold ideas, inspiring projects, and practical solutions that make a real impact across the sector.
Make sure you’re in the running - entries close at midnight on Friday, 27 February 2026.
The retrofit of existing buildings that will remain in use through to 2050 is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Retrofitting is expanding rapidly, and this award seeks to recognise exemplary projects that demonstrate innovative approaches, tackle the climate emergency, and improve comfort and energy efficiency for occupiers.
This category welcomes entries from all housing tenures, including local authorities, housing associations, sheltered housing, build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, and custom-built developments.
Eligibility: Projects must have been completed between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects located in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award recognises organisations that are integral to supporting the housing and built environment sector in achieving its net zero ambitions. These partners act as an extension of their customers’ teams, adding value and enabling decarbonisation across multiple stages of the supply chain.
Eligibility: Projects, initiatives, or approaches must have been implemented between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects located in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
A skilled and knowledgeable workforce is essential to delivering a net zero transition. This award recognises organisations that are developing the workforce of today and attracting the talent of tomorrow to achieve net zero across the housing and built environment sectors. Entries are welcomed from in-house teams, training providers, and educational establishments investing in and promoting workforce development and talent growth.
Eligibility: Projects, initiatives, or approaches must have been implemented between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects located in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
To make net zero aspirational, we need to bring people with us on the journey. This award recognises campaigns that have truly resonated with tenants, residents, or communities, driving meaningful engagement and behaviour change. Successful entries will demonstrate how the campaign has contributed to the success of a project or workstream and helped reduce climate impact.
Eligibility: Campaigns must have been carried out between January 2025 and February 2026. Only campaigns based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award celebrates successful innovations that benefit the housing and built environment sectors in their decarbonisation journey. Entries can include new approaches to service delivery, pioneering technologies, or novel ways of working that advance net zero goals. Entrants should demonstrate the measurable impact of their innovation and outline plans for further implementation or scaling.
Eligibility: Projects and developments must have been completed between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects and developments based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award recognises projects that demonstrate how they have enhanced communities and places through the active promotion of biodiversity and nature. Entries may include regeneration or rewilding of existing sites, or the integration of nature and biodiversity into new developments. Submissions should clearly show how nature has been protected, promoted, and incorporated to inspire future developments.
Eligibility: Projects and developments must have been carried out between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects based and developments in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
Achieving net zero is a collective challenge that requires collective solutions. This award celebrates projects that have demonstrated outstanding partnership working to deliver a measurable, lasting positive impact on the climate. We are looking for examples where collaboration was central to the project’s success, showing how the partnership was formed, how roles and responsibilities were shared, and why working together enabled stronger, more effective outcomes than could have been achieved individually.
Eligibility: Projects and approaches must have been implemented between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects and teams based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award celebrates organisations and leadership teams that are truly driving the net zero agenda - embedding sustainability at the heart of their strategy, operations, and culture. We’re looking for organisations that can demonstrate a genuine commitment to decarbonisation through measurable impact, innovation, and scalable initiatives that deliver benefits across the housing and built environment sectors. Entrants should show how their leadership, investment, and collaboration have contributed to meaningful progress toward net zero.
Eligibility: Projects and initiatives must have been carried out between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects and teams based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award recognises the financial innovators driving the UK’s transition to net zero. We’re celebrating teams and organisations that are enabling decarbonised housing and built environment programmes through creative and impactful funding solutions. Whether through private investment, public sector initiatives, or innovative partnerships, entrants should demonstrate how their financial strategies have supported both the delivery of new low-carbon developments and the retrofit of existing property portfolios. Submissions should highlight measurable outcomes and the long-term impact of their funding approach.
Eligibility: Initiatives and approaches must have been implemented between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects and initiatives based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award recognises landlords who are leading the way in the UK’s transition to net zero -those demonstrating a clear and measurable commitment to sustainability through tangible delivery and long-term impact. We’re celebrating organisations that are creating and maintaining net zero homes and places that truly benefit local communities. Entrants should showcase how they are accelerating the net zero transition across their assets, operations, and supply chains.
Entries are welcomed from landlords of all sizes and portfolios, including councils, housing associations, local authorities, for-profit providers, build-to-rent owners and operators, and student accommodation providers.
Eligibility: Projects and approaches must have been implemented between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This award celebrates the teams leading the way in driving forward the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda within their organisations and across the wider housing and built environment sectors. We’re looking for those who are embedding ESG principles into everyday operations, championing transparency, inclusion, and sustainability while making a measurable positive contribution to people, places, and the planet.
Entries should highlight how the team has delivered meaningful impact across one or more areas of the ESG framework - whether through environmental initiatives, social value creation, ethical governance, or by inspiring others through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Eligibility: Initiatives and approaches must have been implemented between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects and teams based in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This category celebrates outstanding achievement in the design, construction, and operational sustainability of new developments across the UK. It recognises projects that have successfully combined innovation and environmental responsibility to create high-quality, future-focused buildings that minimise carbon impact while enhancing the wellbeing and experience of their occupants and communities.
Entries should demonstrate excellence in sustainable construction methods, materials, and energy performance, as well as show how the project contributes to long-term environmental and social value. Judges will be looking for developments that set new benchmarks for quality, creativity, and climate-conscious design.
Eligibility: This award will relate to developments completed between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects located in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
This category recognises contractors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to sustainability across their projects. It celebrates those who consistently embed environmentally responsible practices at every stage - from planning and design through to construction, delivery, and maintenance.
Judges will be looking for contractors who are setting the standard for low-carbon construction, resource efficiency, waste reduction, and innovation in sustainable building methods. Entrants should highlight measurable outcomes, strong collaboration with clients and supply chains, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable projects that make a tangible contribution to the UK’s net zero goals.
Eligibility: This award will be judged on work completed between January 2025 and February 2026. Only projects located in the UK are eligible.
Please note: Should we receive a very high number of entries, we may create sub-categories to ensure fair assessment and recognition across the sector.
We want to recognise individuals who are going above and beyond to deliver on the climate agenda. Job title doesn’t matter – we want to shine a spotlight on those driving sustainability forward. Is this you, or someone you know? Tell us why they should be recognised as one of our Climate Champions of the Year.
This category also highlights a rising star – someone early in their career who is already making a real impact on the climate agenda – and a lifetime contributor – someone whose career-long efforts have made a lasting positive contribution to environmental sustainability in housing. You can enter this category in one of three ways: as a Climate Champion, a Rising Star, or a Lifetime Contributor. UK entries only.
Judges will be looking for:
The impact the individual has made
Their approach to the agenda and what sets them apart
Lessons others can learn from their actions
How they share knowledge and inspire others
Eligibility:
Entries are open to individuals working in the housing, built environment, or property sectors in the UK.
Contributions or achievements should have taken place between January 2025 and February 2026 for the climate champion and rising star categories.
Lifetime Contributor entries can recognise achievements over the course of an individual’s career.
Individuals can be nominated by themselves or by colleagues/peers.
Effie Cohen, senior external engagement and communications lead, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
Jo Shields, head of sustainability & ESG, whg
"It gave me so much hope and inspiration for the housing sector in achieving sustainability for our homes, communities and resident’s lives!"
Jon Daley, head of sustainability, G2M Group
"It was a coming together of so many people whose day job is purpose and mission-led, who are passionate about transforming the lives of those most affected by the #housingcrisis, #costoflivingcrisis and through wider #economic and #socialinequality.
It was a time to celebrate the incredible achievements and to reflect on how we can build capacity at pace to build on the successes of this vibrant and vital sector."
"
Sarah Daly, associate director, sustainability, Turner & Townsend
Georgina Patel, sustainability consultant
"This is an incredible event and a real showcase for those of us that are #strivingforexcellence - there is no Plan B!"
Nicola Clayton, head of business development, Etopia
"The platform they provide not only celebrates the accomplishments of individuals and organizations in the field of sustainability but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration."
Sylwester Raczynski, founder, CEO, iHelios
"Thanks for leading the way on keeping the decarbonisation agenda on the map. It's only going to get bigger & we need to support all the collaboration we can across the industry (and other industries!)."
Jamie Abbott, director and housing sector sustainability lead – consulting, Turner & Townsend
"I thought the event was a resounding success. I’m so glad to have been involved. It’s great to see so many people together trying to make a difference and doing great things."
Fayann Simpson OBE, chair, L&Q Resident Services Board
Luke Cross, director (London), Social
© UNLOCK NET ZERO AWARDS - OCEAN MEDIA GROUP LIMITED, Suite 6.04, Exchange Tower, 6th Floor 1 Harbour Exchange Square, LONDON E14 9GE | TEL: 020 7772 8407