Banksia Awards to align with sustainable development goals

This year, the Banksia Sustainability Awards will be closely exploring the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their importance in taking Australia towards a more sustainable future.

According to the Banksia Foundation, the SDGs provide a platform that focuses on the key elements required to be able to protect the environment. They are said to provide the foundation with a positive way forward, not only in providing Australia with a recognition, reward and promotional program, but also by providing an educational and collaborative platform for the SDGs and how companies, organisations, governments and individuals can align to them.

In 2016, the Banksia Sustainability Award program will illustrate how each of the award categories aligns with the SDGs and encourage entrants to start thinking how they embrace these goals. The foundation also plans to engage in a collaborative discussion on how it is possible to further align with these goals, with the 2017 awards categories planned to serve as a true reflection of the SDGs.

“It is exciting to see a concise and comprehensive system developing that will unite countries, companies and communities across the world to ensure that the needed shift in our approach to the way we work and play and the state that we leave this world for future generations of every colour and creed,” said Banksia Foundation CEO Graz van Egmond.

Entries for the Banksia Sustainability Awards are open up to 5 August, with early-bird entries closing on 30 June. The Banksia Foundation will be discussing the SDGs, and how they relate to Australia’s leading examples of sustainability, at the awards presentation event on 29–30 November in Sydney.