Every year, the E+E Leader Awards celebrate the innovative projects and products that are shaping the future of sustainability and energy leadership. Among the many honors bestowed, the Judges’ Choice Award is the ultimate recognition—reserved for the top-scoring submissions that truly redefine excellence in their categories.
So, what does it take to rise above the competition and claim the coveted Judges’ Choice title? As someone who has worked closely with both judges and winners over the years, I’ve seen the patterns, heard the feedback, and know what makes a submission shine.
Here’s what you need to know to turn your entry into a Judges’ Choice contender.
Judges are always looking for entries that solve pressing challenges in new ways. Does your product or project introduce a solution that disrupts traditional thinking or creates a measurable impact?
One judge put it this way: “Entries that reimagine what’s possible in the industry and have the data to back it up always stand out.”
Take last year’s Judges’ Choice winner in the Consumer & Residential category, FLOR’s Carbon Negative Area Rugs. By focusing on groundbreaking materials that sequester more carbon than they release, FLOR didn’t just meet sustainability expectations—it exceeded them.
Innovation is powerful, but results are what make it real. Judges want to see quantifiable impact:
Entries without solid metrics are often overshadowed by those that can clearly demonstrate success. For example, NERVA Energy Group’s multi-residential smart building conversion, which earned Judges’ Choice in Energy Innovation, showcased impressive efficiency gains that set a new benchmark for its category.
Judges love solutions with the potential to inspire widespread change. Ask yourself:
Projects that demonstrate these qualities often resonate deeply with the judging panel. Building Transparency’s Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) earned its Judges’ Choice nod in Software & Cloud because it showed how construction professionals could adopt its tool to reduce embodied carbon globally.
Your entry isn’t just about data—it’s also about how you present it. Judges appreciate submissions that weave results into a larger narrative. What inspired your project? What challenges did you overcome?
One judge noted: “A great entry feels like a case study—it walks you through the problem, the solution, and the impact, step by step.”
While technical success is critical, human-centered results often elevate submissions. Did your project improve employee engagement, community relations, or stakeholder collaboration? These ripple effects can make a big difference.
For example, MilliporeSigma’s Greener Products & Solutions initiative, last year’s Judges’ Choice for Environmental Impact, stood out because it combined measurable sustainability results with transformative industry leadership.
While judges love reviewing innovative entries, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances:
Even if you’ve entered before and didn’t win, don’t count yourself out. Many past winners have refined their entries based on judges’ feedback, resubmitted, and gone on to earn top honors. Remember, sustainability is a journey, not a one-time achievement.
Winning Judges’ Choice doesn’t just come with bragging rights. Past winners frequently cite game-changing benefits, including:
As one past winner noted: “Winning this award was a turning point. It elevated our profile and created connections we hadn’t dreamed of.”
The 2025 E+E Leader Awards are open for submissions, with the final deadline on December 20, 2024. Judges are excited to see what innovations you’ll bring to the table this year.
Remember: Take the time to craft an entry that tells your story, shares your results, and inspires others to follow your lead.
Who knows? This could be the year you join the ranks of groundbreaking winners like FLOR, MilliporeSigma, and NERVA Energy Group—and take home the ultimate prize in your category.
Explore award categories and start your submission today. Your innovation could be a 2025 Judges’ Choice winner.
