Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Winners will be announced at the 35th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium in April 2025.

This award category is intended to provide recognition to organizations or facilities that can document the success of their sustainability program by providing evidence of:

• A culture of environmental sustainability.
• Recent accomplishments related to reducing their environmental footprint.
• A commitment to future sustainability-oriented actions.

DEQ considers sustainability to be meeting the needs of the present without compromising the environmental resource needs of future generations. Winners in this category have made sustainability programs an integral part of their organizational culture through leadership, innovation, and continual improvement. The Program application provides organizations multiple ways to document that their facilities are operating in an environmental and sustainable manner.

The Program application differs from the Project application in that it is meant to recognize programs, systems, or management structures that broadly address many aspects of environmental sustainability. The Project application focuses on a specific environmentally focused project.

Judging Criteria for Environmental & Sustainability Program Category

Applicants should address each of the following criteria, making sure to include complete and concise answers that are responsive to the application questions. 

• Implementation and Environmental Results [40 points maximum]:
  • Describe how the program has been implemented. How does the program's structure produce environmental results? 
  • How has the program reduced the facility or organization's environmental footprint? What quantifiable environmental results have been achieved by the program? Although it is not expected that quantifiable results be included for all areas listed in the application, reported results should demonstrate the breadth of the program.
• Economic Benefits [20 points maximum]:
  • What was the cost to implement the program (for example, the cost of new equipment and training)?
  • Was there a cost savings? If so, how much was saved (did reduction in water/energy/material lead to a cost savings)? If not, describe how the value of the program exceeds the costs.
  • Was the return-on-investment calculated?
  • Did the project save staff time, provide a safer working environment, or reduce environmental risk?
  • Include other less tangible, economic benefits that can be attributed to the project.
•  Participation and Involvement [20 points maximum]:
• • How have employees been involved in the planning, development, or implementation of the program?
  • How have external parties participated in the planning, development, or implementation of the program?
• Leadership and Innovation [20 points maximum]:
  • How are you addressing environmental issues in a creative and innovative manner that others are not currently using?
  • How does (or can) the program positively contribute to promoting sustainability beyond your fence line (in the community, regionally, nationally, etc.)?
  • Does the program include community outreach and partnerships?
  • How are key stakeholders engaged?