Award categories

BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards 2024 - Categories & Conditions

Conditions of Entry (categories 1 - 9)

For all project related submissions, biodiversity interventions will have been completed in the last 24 months up to and including 21 June 2024. This may be the culmination of several years’ work, or a small-scale action carried out during a construction project.
For maintenance and management projects, the programme should have been in place for at least 12 months up to and including 21 June 2024.
Each scheme can be submitted for up to two different Award categories.
Organisations or individuals can submit more than one scheme for consideration, but each project submission must have separate application forms. It may be advisable to submit two variants to ensure that each maximises relevance to the individual categories.
Previously shortlisted and award-winning submissions may not be resubmitted.

The Awards aim to raise greater awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to demonstrate how biodiversity enhancements can be incorporated at different scales and on different projects.

The awards aim to reward entries that go beyond normal business practice or planning and statutory obligations.

There are 11 award categories outlined below and each enhancement can be entered for UP TO TWO categories. Please refer to past award winners for examples and inspiration.

NEW THIS YEAR: we are thrilled to introduce two new award categories: Multi Benefits Award and the International Project Award.

Judges will also select an overall winner for the enhancement (projects only) that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to biodiversity.

Entry forms and additional Judging Criteria are available HERE

Awards categories

1. Client Award - sponsored by

An enhancement from a client organisation demonstrating a top-down approach to delivering biodiversity on site. Organisations may range from developers to those responsible for the delivery of energy, transport, and water networks. They may be responsible for a range of project scales either as single or collective projects

2. Community Engagement Award - sponsored by

An enhancement/initiative that demonstrates the importance of engagement with local communities, workers on site, and others. It should also demonstrate raising awareness and championing the importance of biodiversity to the public, and achieving life learning and practical outcomes.

3. Habitat Creation: Project of the Year Award
(Large scale biodiversity enhancement 5ha and above)

An enhancement that will have a long term positive impact on biodiversity after the construction process. Examples may include infrastructure projects (energy, transport, and water), mixed-use development or restoration of land previously used for other purposes such as mineral extraction.

Note this category will actively seek projects that go over planning and/or statutory obligations.

4. Habitat Creation: Project of the Year Award - sponsored by
(Medium scale biodiversity enhancement from 0.5 to 5ha)

An improvement that will be long lasting after the construction process. Examples may include pocket parks, courtyards, trees and wildflower planting.

5. Habitat Creation: Project of the Year Award - sponsored by
(Small scale biodiversity enhancement up to 0.5ha)

A small scale improvement that will be long lasting after the construction process. Examples may include green roofs, green walls, rain gardens, hibernacula, habitat restoration and planting. Low cost/high impact improvements will be reviewed positively.

6. Innovation Award - sponsored by

Successful, innovative, and unusual enhancements that demonstrate application of bespoke products and interventions, data collection, collation and sharing of processes, as well as projects that demonstrate unusual and alternative approaches to the normal.

Interventions that demonstrate effective enhancement of biodiversity on construction projects with a lasting legacy that support continual learning and improvement will be viewed most favourably.

This is a category open to a wide range of interpretation and the winning scheme will be selected at the judging panel’s discretion.

7. Multi Benefits Award - sponsored by

An enhancement that delivers multi benefits from biodiversity. Going beyond Biodiversity Net Gain and maximising the additional benefits nature-based solutions bring.

8. Biodiversity Legacy Award - sponsored by

An enhancement that demonstrates a long term commitment to improving biodiversity on site. This may include collation, collection and monitoring of data; the introduction of enhancement management plans; and alternative approaches to maintenance schedules and planting policies.

9. International Biodiversity Project Award - sponsored by

Recognising biodiversity achievements from beyond the UK.

10. Biodiversity Champion Award
(Early career professional: up to 5 years in biodiversity-related work)

This award recognises an individual who has contributed most to the ethos of ‘doing one thing’ for biodiversity either within their organisation, as part of a wider project team, as part of a supporting group, or a local grassroots initiative.

We want to recognise professionals starting their biodiversity journey and already making an impact.

11. Biodiversity Champion Award - sponsored by
(Established professional: more than 5 years in biodiversity-related work)

This award recognises an established biodiversity practitioner who has contributed most to the ethos of ‘doing one thing’ for biodiversity either within their organisation, as part of a wider project team, as part of a supporting group, or a local grassroots initiative.

Conditions of Entry for Champion Awards (categories 10 - 11)

Anyone can submit an entry: the individual, the employer or jointly, or someone from a different company.

The judges will look for the following key qualities (but not limited to) when reviewing the Biodiversity Champion nominees:

Engaging: Someone who is inclusive, who communicates by listening as well as speaking
Inspiring: Someone who motivates others with honour, integrity, and courage
Enthusiastic: Someone who can share their enthusiasm about biodiversity with others; who can persevere and push to achieve positive outcomes on projects
Creative: Someone who is prepared to seek solutions when faced with challenges, who looks for opportunities and innovative ways to overcome hurdles
Knowledgeable: Someone who understands their subject, who increases their knowledge and awareness as they progress, and disseminates that knowledge to others
Outcomes driven: Someone who demonstrates their positive biodiversity impacts

Overall Winner 2024 - Prize sponsored by

The judges will select an Overall Winner from the nine biodiversity projects award winners for the enhancement that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to biodiversity.

Additional sponsorship opportunities

Bespoke packages are available so please contact adrien.baudrimont@ciria.org to discuss further.