Awards
The ECO IMPACT Awards honour post-secondary students, organizations, trailblazers, and environmental professionals who are driving real change in their organizations, communities, and the broader environmental sector.
In 2026, we’re proud to unveil a refreshed nomination model for the designed member awards (EP®, EPt, and EP® Auditor) to celebrate a wider range of certified members, simplify the process, and foster meaningful engagement across the EP® Community.
New This Year
We are reimagining how we recognize excellence. Rather than relying solely on peer and self-nominations, ECO Canada will now proactively identify top candidates across award categories using a staff-led selection process. This ensures that more members get the spotlight they deserve – and that no great work goes unnoticed.
But don’t worry you can still submit a name – yours or someone else’s – for consideration. We want to hear your stories, too. So, contact us and tell us what you’ve been up to, get involved with the EP® Community to highlight your impact, or record exciting initiatives and contributions through your member accounts’ professional development activity log.
Award Categories
EP® ECO IMPACT Award
Recognizing certified Environmental Professionals (EP®s) who demonstrate extraordinary contributions to the field. These individuals lead impactful projects, influence policy, or push the boundaries of sustainable innovation.
EP® ECO IMPACT Award
Honouring certified EP® Auditors making a measurable impact through rigorous environmental assessment, verification, and stewardship.
EPt ECO IMPACT Award
Celebrating Environmental Professionals-in-training (EPts) who are emerging as future leaders. This award spotlights dedication, learning, and meaningful early-career achievements.
Yukon Sustainability Award
The Yukon Sustainability Awards recognize exemplary performance in sustainability. The awards are divided into three categories, tailored to organization size and ownership structure.
Top Employer Award
The Top Employer ECO Impact Award recognizes Canadian organizations in the environmental sector that demonstrate exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability through their employment practices.
Sustainability Trailblazers Award
The Sustainability Trailblazers Award celebrates expertise and leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The new award will recognize innovative, unique or groundbreaking efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enable others to do so.
Community Award
This People’s Choice Award recognizes individuals, groups, and communities that demonstrate dedication to Canada’s environmental growth and positively impact the environmental workforce.
Call for Papers
We invite post-secondary students to submit papers that present inventive solutions to real-world challenges facing the environment in Canada and beyond. ECO IMPACT 2026 is focused on accelerating the environmental workforce through technology and innovation, and we are excited to showcase fresh ideas from the next generation of environmental leaders.
How the 2026 Nomination Process Works
We have designed a more inclusive and streamlined approach, allowing for more recognition and less red tape.
There are now two avenues for nomination:
ECO Canada-Selected Nominees
Recognized • Respected • Rewarded
ECO Canada will identify and shortlist at least 10 exceptional candidates per award category based on:
- Certification status and history
- Sector contributions and measurable impact
- EP® Community and ECO Canada engagement
- Public contributions (e.g. mentorship, publications, presentations)
- Representation across disciplines and regions
Member Submissions
Acknowledge • Empower • Influence
Do you or a designated member you know deserve to be on our shortlist? Submit a brief nomination to impactawards@eco.ca explaining how you or your nominee exemplify:
- Leadership and mentorship
- Meaningful sector impact or innovation
- Ethical excellence and collaboration
- Creating problem-solving or soft skills
Your submission could influence the final nominee list.
What Makes a Nominee Stand Out?
We are seeking environmental professionals who exceed job expectations to inspire, lead, and create a lasting impact on the environment. Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Community Engagement: Are they actively contributing to and supporting the EP® Community?
- Professional Impact: Have they achieved significant environmental results?
- Leadership and Influence: Do they inspire others or lead initiatives?
- Innovation and Problem Solving: Are they developing smart, sustainable solutions?
- Soft Skills: Do they demonstrate collaboration, adaptability, and resilience?
Who Selects the 2026 Recipients?
You do—the EP® Community!
The recipients of the 2026 ECO IMPACT Awards in the categories of EP®, EP® Auditor, and EPt will be determined through a vote by the community. Every certified EP®, EP® Auditor, and EPt will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred finalist, who will be chosen from those selected by ECO Canada.
Key Dates
June 3, 2025
Optional submissions open
August 15, 2025
Optional submission deadline
October 1, 2025
Nominee profiles released and a “Meet the Nominees” campaign begins
October 1 -15, 2025
EP® Community voting period
February 19, 2026
Winners revealed at the ECO IMPACT Awards ceremony in Calgary, AB
Want to Get Involved?
VOTE for your peers this fall
SUBMIT a brief if you or someone you know deserves to be recognized
SHARE nominee stories and celebrate the people making a difference
CELEBRATE with your industry peers at ECO IMPACT 2026
Ready to Make Your Mark?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ECO IMPACT Awards?
Since 2017, the ECO IMPACT Awards have celebrated certified environmental professionals who are
making a meaningful difference in the environmental sector through leadership, innovation, community
involvement, and professional excellence.
What’s changing about the nomination process?
For 2026, we’re transitioning to a staff-led nomination process. ECO Canada will shortlist 10 qualified
candidates per award category, and the EP® Community will vote to select the final recipient. This
change allows us to recognize more deserving members and reduces the barriers to participation
Who is eligible to be nominated?
Nominees must be:
• A certified member in good standing (EP®, EPt, or EP® Auditor)
• Actively working or contributing to the environmental sector
• Aligned with the EP® Code of Ethics and its values: stewardship, advocacy, professionalism, and
integrity
Can I still nominate myself or someone else?
Yes! While ECO Canada will lead the shortlisting process, we welcome optional submissions from
members who feel they—or a peer—should be considered. These submissions will be reviewed
alongside internal nominations and may be added to the final shortlist.
What kinds of contributions are recognized?
We’re looking for environmental professionals who demonstrate:
• Leadership and mentorship
• Tangible impact in environmental projects or initiatives
• Innovation and problem-solving
• Active involvement in the EP® Community
• Strong personal attributes like collaboration and adaptability
Who votes for the award recipients?
Certified EP®s, EPts, and EP® Auditors will vote for their top candidate in each category. Voting opens on
October 1, 2025, and runs until October 15, 2025.
When are award recipients announced?
Winners will be revealed and celebrated at the ECO IMPACT 2026 Awards Ceremony in February 2026.
