Celebrating women ESG leaders, clean energy entrepreneurs, circular economy innovators, and climate champions who are building the sustainable future. The world's most prestigious women sustainability recognition programme.
The sustainability transition is the defining challenge of our era — and women are disproportionately leading the organisations, movements, and innovations that are making it happen. From the clean energy entrepreneur who built a solar company serving emerging markets, to the corporate ESG leader who embedded sustainability into the DNA of a global conglomerate, women in sustainability are creating systemic change at a scale the world urgently needs.
Research consistently shows that companies with women in sustainability leadership roles set more ambitious climate targets, achieve stronger ESG ratings, and deliver better long-term financial performance. Women bring a systems-thinking approach to sustainability that connects environmental, social, and governance dimensions in ways that create durable, organisation-wide change rather than isolated initiatives.
The Golden Women in Sustainability Awards recognises that the sustainability transition requires leadership across every sector and scale — from the local community leader building a circular economy model, to the multinational CEO who committed their company to net zero. Our recognition programme celebrates women who are making the sustainable future not just possible, but inevitable.
The Women in Sustainability Awards honours excellence across every dimension of sustainable business, environmental leadership, and climate action.
Women serving as Chief Sustainability Officer, ESG Director, or senior sustainability executive who have embedded environmental, social, and governance principles into corporate strategy with measurable outcomes.
Women building or leading clean energy businesses — from solar, wind, and hydrogen to energy storage, smart grids, and clean energy access programmes for underserved communities.
Women developing or leading circular economy business models — from product-as-a-service and material recovery systems to zero-waste production and regenerative supply chains.
Women shaping climate policy, environmental regulation, and international sustainability frameworks — at government, NGO, multilateral, and corporate advocacy levels.
Women leading the development of sustainable buildings, green cities, sustainable transport systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure that supports the low-carbon transition.
Women who lead organisations where environmental sustainability and social impact are equally prioritised — creating the integrated approach to ESG that defines the next generation of responsible business.
Six dedicated sustainability award categories ensure every dimension of women's environmental and ESG excellence receives the recognition it deserves.
The premier Women in Sustainability award — recognising the woman who has delivered the most extraordinary combination of environmental impact, strategic ESG leadership, and organisational transformation in the past year.
Nominate Now →Honouring women who are building the clean energy future — from renewable energy development and energy efficiency innovation to clean energy access and the technology enabling the global energy transition.
Nominate Now →Celebrating women who have built or led circular economy models that eliminate waste, extend product life, recover materials, and create economic value while reducing environmental impact at scale.
Nominate Now →Recognising women who have transformed corporate sustainability — moving ESG from compliance exercise to strategic advantage — with measurable outcomes across environmental, social, and governance dimensions.
Nominate Now →Honouring women who are driving climate action through policy, advocacy, regulation, and community mobilisation — creating the systemic conditions needed for a just and rapid low-carbon transition.
Nominate Now →Recognising exceptional women in the early stages of sustainability leadership careers — demonstrating the scientific knowledge, strategic thinking, and leadership capability that marks the next generation of great women sustainability leaders.
Nominate Now →Nominate an ESG leader, clean energy pioneer, or climate champion for the 2026 Women in Sustainability Awards. The world's most prestigious women sustainability recognition programme is now open for nominations.
Recognition through the Golden Women in Sustainability Awards delivers tangible career and organisational value that extends across the global sustainability ecosystem.
Winners are featured across leading sustainability and ESG publications, Golden Women Awards channels, and international business media — amplifying their environmental leadership story globally.
Sustainability award recognition attracts ESG-focused investors, green bond issuers, and strategic partners who specifically seek validated women sustainability leaders for investment and collaboration.
Award winners receive invitations to speak at global sustainability conferences, COP side events, ESG forums, and clean energy summits — building thought leadership across the sustainability ecosystem.
Organisations led by recognised women sustainability leaders attract purpose-driven talent who increasingly make career choices based on the environmental credentials of their employers' leadership team.
Winners receive a bespoke physical award trophy and a digital verification badge for use across sustainability reports, company websites, and professional profiles.
Winners join an exclusive peer community of women sustainability award alumni — building relationships with the most accomplished women in ESG, clean energy, and climate leadership globally.
Complete the online nomination form with detailed information about the nominee's achievements, impact, and vision. Include quantified outcomes where possible.
Our awards secretariat reviews all nominations for eligibility and completeness, ensuring every submission meets the standards required for consideration by the judging panel.
An independent panel of global business leaders, academics, and women empowerment advocates evaluates each nomination across all criteria with rigorous impartiality.
Top-scoring nominees are shortlisted and notified. All shortlisted women receive recognition and visibility regardless of whether they win the final award.
Final winners are determined through cumulative panel scoring, with emphasis on impact, vision, innovation, and contribution to advancing women globally.
Winners are honoured at the annual gala ceremony at the Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai, UAE, 14 November 2026, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM — a night of global celebration and recognition.
Women working in any sustainability, ESG, or environmental leadership role qualify — including Chief Sustainability Officers, ESG directors, clean energy entrepreneurs, circular economy innovators, climate policy leaders, impact investors, and any woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing environmental or social sustainability.
Yes. The Women in Sustainability Awards encompasses the full ESG spectrum — environmental, social, and governance dimensions are all recognised. Women leading social impact organisations, governance reform initiatives, or integrated ESG strategies are as eligible as those focused purely on environmental sustainability.
Absolutely. Clean energy entrepreneurship is one of the most impactful forms of sustainability leadership. Our Clean Energy Pioneer category specifically celebrates women building businesses that accelerate the energy transition. Startups at any stage are eligible.
Strong nominations include quantified sustainability metrics (emissions reduced, renewable energy deployed, waste diverted, communities served), evidence of systemic change beyond individual projects, third-party validation from sustainability rating agencies or environmental bodies, and a compelling narrative of the sustainability challenge addressed and the lasting impact created.
No. The award is global and we welcome nominations from women sustainability leaders in all countries. Climate and sustainability leadership is inherently global — we have recognised women leaders from the UAE, UK, USA, Germany, Australia, India, Kenya, Brazil, and across emerging markets where sustainability innovation is particularly impactful.
Watch women in ESG, clean energy, and climate leadership share how Golden Tree Awards recognition elevated their impact and careers.
Leadership Excellence
Golden Women Awards · Dubai (UAE)
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Golden Women Awards · Dubai (UAE)
Business Achievement
Golden Women Awards · Dubai (UAE)
Women Leader Recognition
Golden Women Awards · Dubai (UAE)
The 2026 Women in Sustainability Awards celebrate the women who are building the sustainable future — in boardrooms, laboratories, communities, and policy chambers around the world. Your sustainability leadership deserves global recognition. Nominations are open now.