The East Anglia Clean & Green Awards are open for entries, and both the Sustainability Strategy Award and the Net Zero Award aim to recognise local businesses and organisations that are working to reduce their environmental impact in different ways.
Here, we meet the judges for these two categories, and find out what they will bring to the awards process.
Sustainability Strategy Award
Sponsored by Associated British Ports
Award criteria
Judges will be seeking a project or strategy that excels in reducing or offsetting carbon emissions.
Innovation, measurable carbon reductions and the potential for the strategy to be scaled or replicated elsewhere will be key factors considered by the judges.
Evidence of collaboration with stakeholders will also strengthen the entry.
Meet Paul Ager, divisional port manager, East Anglia, at Associated British Ports (ABP)
Can you tell us a bit about your career to date?
I joined ABP in 2016, having previously spent more than 14 years in leadership positions in logistics, supply chain and the construction sector.
In June 2022, I joined the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce board, which accompanies my role on the Greater Ipswich Board and allows me to contribute to the development of the region.
What do you bring to the judging process?
My background allows me to evaluate entries from both a strategic and practical perspective, ensuring that I can assess the feasibility and impact of each sustainability initiative.
Being deeply rooted in the Suffolk community, I have a genuine interest in supporting local businesses and fostering collaboration among them.
What will you be looking for in the winner?
I’ll be looking for a business that demonstrates a clear, innovative and impactful approach to sustainability.
The winning strategy should show measurable results, addressing key environmental challenges like carbon reduction, waste minimisation, or renewable energy use.
Ultimately, we’re looking for a leader that sets a high standard and can inspire others.
Why is it important for entrants to demonstrate the scalability of their strategy?
A scalable strategy reflects forward-thinking and highlights the sustainability of the strategy itself – ensuring that it can evolve, reach more stakeholders, and drive greater environmental and social change as the business and its influence grow.
What advice would you give to anyone that’s considering entering?
Clearly articulate the purpose and impact of your sustainability efforts. Focus on the tangible outcomes of your strategy and provide solid evidence to support your claims.
It’s also essential to show how your strategy is integrated into the core of your business operations.
Net Zero Award
Sponsored by Ørsted
Award criteria
The judges will be seeking an organisation that has made significant progress toward achieving net zero emissions.
Innovation, measurable carbon reductions and collaboration with partners will be key factors.
The scalability and potential for other organisations to adopt similar strategies will also be considered.
Meet Jessica Westcott, project director at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm
I’ve worked in the offshore wind industry for 16 years, 11 with Ørsted. I started as a project engineer and progressed to managing installation on a UK offshore windfarm.
My first job at Ørsted was managing the foundation transport and installation at Race Bank windfarm, with scope gradually increasing to cover complete engineering, procurement and construction works.
Why were you keen to get involved in the Clean & Green Awards?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have colleagues who supported my growth, and that experience has inspired my passion for helping others succeed.
I am driven by my commitment to protecting our planet and keen to encourage everyone to make choices that contribute to this.
It’s important to have a clear plan that builds when tackling an issue as challenging as climate change. You won’t reach net zero in six months, but scaling up what you do and how you do it is key to success.
What will you be looking for in the winner?
I’ll want to see commitment to tackling net zero, with demonstrable results. In addition, I’d like entrants to show a culture of positivity, creativity and determination in their approach.
What advice would you give to anyone that’s considering entering?
If your organisation is serious about tackling climate change and has the results to show that, then please enter.
Gather your evidence and go for it!
Entries for the East Anglia Clean & Green Awards 2025 close at midnight on Sunday, December 15. To enter, visit cleanandgreenawards.co.uk
To find out more about the awards, please click here.
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