Businesses, farms and community organisations focused on creating a more sustainable future are being urged to get their entries in fast as the deadline approaches for a new regional awards.

The East Anglia Clean & Green Awards 2025 celebrates the efforts of organisations and industries in the region which are striving to create a greener future.

It is being run by this newspaper in association with our sister publication, Insight Energy, which supports East Anglia's fast-growing energy sector.

Our Clean & Green project has been educating the local community about energy initiatives and their benefits to East Anglia over the last 18 months.

Insight Energy and the Clean & Green project came together to launch the first-ever East Anglia Clean & Green Awards in October. The deadline for entries is midnight on December 15.

There are 12 awards categories - Energy Innovation, Sustainability Strategy, Educational Trailblazer, Net Zero, Project of the Year, Sustainable Workplace of the Year, Behaviour Change Campaign of the Year, Biodiversity Protection, Circular and Recycling, Community Champion of the Year, Game Changer and Supply Chain Champion.

The awards are open to organisations of all sizes and sectors, from large corporations to small community groups, all of which can play a vital role in championing sustainability.

Finalists will be invited to attend a celebratory event in March 2025 where the winners will be revealed.

The awards form part of a wider initiative backed by leading regional publications including the East Anglian Daily Times and the Ipswich Star.

They also provide a forum for sharing best practices and inspiring future initiatives across the region.

Editor Liz Nice said: "We know there are many, many fantastic businesses, farms and organisations in our region which have shown great commitment to making the world a better place.

"I would encourage them all to enter the Clean and Green Awards and showcase their achievements to a wider public.

"These awards are a celebration of all the efforts that are being made by small and large organisations in East Anglia.

"It could be about anything from collecting cans in the office for recycling, to growing food on an allotment or donating produce to a local community, care home or charity - whether your scheme is big or small doesn't matter.

"I would urge forward-thinking organisations to enter - and to encourage other businesses and groups you know are doing a great job to do likewise."

The awards' headline sponsor is the University of East Anglia (UEA), and category sponsors are National Grid, Associated British Ports (ABP), East Coast Energy Training Academy, Ørsted – Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm, Indigo Swan and Stowen Group, and arrival drinks sponsor Clarksons.

Submit your entry today at cleanandgreenawards.co.uk