The NetZero50 list is open for nominations
Every year, as the climate emergency becomes more urgent and the calls for action grow louder, I find myself asking the same question: who is really leading the way? Who, beyond the headlines and the high-level pledges, is actually moving the needle when it comes to tackling the climate crisis and helping the UK to build a lower-carbon future?
That question is what originally led to our partnership with CGI to create the Net Zero 50 List, and it’s why I’m excited to be part of the project again this year as we and our new media partner, the Green Business Journal, launch it for the third time.
The Net Zero 50 is more than just a list. It’s a celebration of the people across the UK—often unsung—who are driving the transition to net zero. It’s not about awards for big budgets or flashy campaigns. It’s about recognising individuals who are making a real, measurable difference. From entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge green technologies, to local government leaders embedding sustainability into policy, to passionate campaigners pushing for urgent change—these are the people who are leading rather than sitting back and hoping.
Looking back, the process of putting together the first to lists together has been great fun and very engaging for our community. There’s always this moment, once the nominations start rolling in, when the sheer range of work being done across the UK hits you. Sustainability isn’t a single track. Some people are cutting carbon in supply chains, others are transforming local transport systems, creating regenerative agriculture models, developing AI for energy optimisation, or launching zero-waste startups.
The Net Zero 50 brings them together in one place—not to compare, but to celebrate the diversity of their contributions and amplify their impact. That one place becomes a literal place when we invite them to the House of Lords for Afternoon Tea to say thank you and to allow them to network face to face and build new networks.
To make the list, each nominee is reviewed against a few simple but important criteria: their demonstrable impact on reducing emissions or supporting the net zero transition, their leadership—whether formal or informal—and their potential to inspire others. We’re not looking for perfection. In fact, what often stands out most are the stories of persistence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving in the face of real-world challenges.
As we call once again for nominations for this year’s list, I want to extend an open invitation. If you know someone doing brilliant work in this space—someone who’s solving problems, building solutions, or even just quietly making their organisation more sustainable—nominate them. Or if that person is you, don’t hesitate to put your name forward. There’s no room for modesty when it comes to climate action. We need bold examples and visible leadership more than ever.
Being included on the list isn’t just a badge of honour; it’s an opportunity to connect with a network of peers who are equally committed, equally curious, and just as determined to make a difference. Past recipients have told us how valuable that recognition was—not just for them, but for their projects and the visibility it brought to their work. And for those of us helping to curate the list, our judges, it’s a window into where innovation is happening, where challenges remain, and where the next breakthroughs might come from.
In the UK, where the path to net zero can sometimes feel difficult and competing with many other priorities, this list reminds me that people really are the most powerful agents of change. It’s their ideas and their drive that move us forward. So as we begin our search for the 2025 Net Zero 50, I hope you’ll help us find them.
Nominate someone. Tell us their story. Let’s celebrate the people making climate action real, one step—and one list—at a time.
