The awards aim to highlight the eco-logically beneficial products, services and people who are taking effective action to protect and preserve our environment.

"We will not let COVID-19 prevent us from celebrating and promoting our 'eco-champions'. It's now more important than ever to share good news, empower people and communities, and support green business," says David Parry-Davies, director of Enviropaedia and The Eco-Logic Awards.

According to the awards, leaders and experts around the world are calling for a profound, systemic shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.

The awards say that there is a huge emphasis on meeting this pandemic with a commitment for a more sustainable future, with United Nations organisations joining forces to call for a more socially inclusive and environmentally responsible recovery post-COVID-19.

According to United Nations partner agency Partnership for Action on Green Economy, the world is at an important crossroad and how we respond will profoundly impact economies and societies for many decades to come.

The team at the partner agency has indicated that if the response is socially and environmentally appropriate, this crisis could mark a turning point in the fight against climate change, environmental degradation and inequality.

"This is a golden opportunity to build back better and lay the foundation for a more sustainable world, that will be better equipped to face pandemics and other environmental crises in the future," says Parry-Davies.

Eco-Logic Awards finalists

Entries across the 12 Eco-Logic Award categories opened in February 2020 for individuals, organisations and communities; they and were assessed by a panel of judges from senior positions in the private and public sectors.

According to the awards, winners and finalists over the years have benefitted from increased public support and media exposure. "Both finalists and winners have gone on to enjoy boosted sales of their eco-logical products and services, as well as secured funding and sponsorship from government and corporates," says Parry-Davies.

The winners in each category will be announced and celebrated on the evening of the virtual award ceremony, which will host more than 300 VIP guests, including:
  • environmental movers and shakers
  • thought leaders
  • celebrities
  • corporate sponsors
  • top business executives, and
  • government representatives.

The Climate Change Award

Sponsored by the department of environment
  • City of Cape Town: Smart Driver Programme
  • Project 90 by 2030, and
  • Western Cape department of agriculture: 'Die Kwik Styg' radio programme

The Innovation Award

Sponsored by Interwaste
  • Democratic Alliance: 'Plastic Road' in Jeffrey's Bay
  • University of Pretoria: Pushing back day Zero, and
  • Wilderness Foundation Africa

The Recycling and Waste Management Award

Sponsored by Plastics South Africa
  • Imagined Earth:Reverse Vending Machine
  • Kabega Primary Eco-life, and
  • Virgin Active Constantia: Net Zero Waste

The Eco-Build Award

  • BOXA Loo
  • Democratic Alliance: 'Plastic Road' in Jeffrey's Bay, and
  • USE-IT: Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre

The Water Conservation Award

Sponsored by Rand Water
  • Amalooloo
  • The Coca-Cola Foundation, Peninsula Beverages: GCTWF, and
  • The South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd: City / SAB Water Partnership

The Green Economy Award

Sponsored by The Enviropaedia
  • Abalimi Bezekhaya: Harvest of Hope
  • Khanyi Designs, and
  • Wilderness Foundation Africa

The Biodiversity Award

Sponsored by Ford Wildlife
  • CTEET: Biodiversity Offsetting
  • SANBI Biodiversity Crimes Enforcement Project, and
  • WESSA Green Coast

The Municipality Award

Sponsored by SANTAM
  • Cape Winelands District Municipality: Ward Based Risk Assessment
  • Garden Route District Municipality: Garden Route Environmental Forum, and
  • Sedibeng District Municipality: Installation of smoke detectors

The Eco-Community Award

  • Abalimi Bezekhaya
  • CTEET: Sustainable Schools, and
  • Scarborough Environmental Group

The Eco-Youth Award

Sponsored by Pick n Pay
  • Matthew Furlonger: Warrior Youth
  • Siya Ntsumpa: Giving Them Wings Foundation, and
  • Sakhe Silwana: Silwana Industries

The Eco-Angel Award

Sponsored by Pam Golding Properties
  • Blake Dyason: Love our trails
  • Jonathan Leeming: One World, and 
  • Fortunate Mafeta: Youth 4 African Wildlife

The Eco-Warrior Award

Sponsored by David Green Eyewear
  • Desmond D'Sa: SDCEA
  • Blake Dyason: Love our trails
  • Phil McLean: SANBI Biodiversity Crimes Project
For more information, visit www.eco-logicawards.com. You can also follow The Eco-Logic Awards on Facebook or on Twitter.