Cold Chain Sustainability Awards 2026

Applications for the Cold Chain Sustainability Awards 2026 are now open!

Across the cold chain, businesses are accelerating their efforts to build a more sustainable future through innovation, collaboration and meaningful investment in reducing carbon emissions, energy use, plastics and waste. The Cold Chain Sustainability Awards celebrate the people, projects, facilities and organisations leading the way toward a greener and more resilient cold chain.

Entries for all award categories are now open and will close on 23 January 2026.
Shortlisted entries will be announced on 6 February 2026.
Winners will be announced at the Cold Chain Climate & Energy Summit.

HOW TO APPLY

Click here to fill out our registration form.

You will be asked which awards you intend to enter. Once your form is submitted, we will send you the relevant application pack or packs with everything you need to complete your entry.

The entry process for 2026 has been simplified. Your submission is a chance to:

Showcase your achievements
Gain industry recognition
Celebrate your people
Inspire progress across the cold chain

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Here is an overview of the key dates in the awards process so you can plan your entry and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines.

December 2 2025

AWARDS LAUNCH

Entries for all award categories open. Applicants can register their interest and request their application packs.

January 23 2026

ENTRY DEADLINE

All completed entry packs must be submitted to [email protected] by this date. Late entries cannot be accepted.

February 6 2026

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT

All entrants are notified, and the shortlisted finalists for each category are publicly announced.

February to March 2026

JUDGING PROCESS

Our independent panel reviews and scores all shortlisted entries and selects the winners for each award category.

March 19 2026

COLD CHANGE CLIMATE & ENERGY SUMMIT AND AWARDS CEREMONY

Winners of the 2026 awards are revealed live at the Summit..

AWARD CATEGORIES

We offer a wide range of awards designed to recognise every part of the cold chain. Whether you are a business improving the sustainability of your operations, a team delivering an innovative project, or an individual driving meaningful change, there is a category for you. Our awards celebrate the achievements of organisations and people at every level of the industry.

Sustainable Business Awards

These categories recognise businesses that demonstrated outstanding commitment to reducing their environmental impact during 2025.

Cold Storage Operator of the Year 2026

For cold storage operators, single or multi site, that have taken significant steps to reduce the environmental footprint of their facilities.

Refrigerated Transport Operator of the Year 2026

For fleet operators of all sizes that have made measurable improvements to the environmental performance of their temperature controlled vehicles.

Supplier of the Year 2026

For suppliers to the temperature controlled logistics sector that have taken widespread measures to reduce the environmental footprint of their own operations, and helped customers progress their sustainability goals.

Technological Breakthrough Awards

Recognising innovations, technologies or projects introduced or completed in 2025 that are transforming the sustainability of the cold chain.

Sustainable Cold Store of the Year 2026

For an individual cold store, either upgraded or newly completed in 2025, that demonstrates industry leading sustainability performance.

Sustainable Innovation: Cold Storage

For new products or services launched in 2025 that reduce the climate impact of cold storage operations.

Sustainable Innovation: Refrigerated Transport

For new products or services launched in 2025 that reduce the climate impact of refrigerated transport.

Sustainable Partnership Project

For collaborative projects between two or more organisations that have delivered significant environmental benefits within the cold chain.

Sustainability Champions Awards

Celebrating the individuals and initiatives driving sustainability forward in their organisations and across the industry.

Business Climate Initiative

For business led initiatives implemented in 2025 that have increased climate awareness, engagement and action within a company.

Cold Chain Climate Champion (under 35)

For individuals aged 35 or under on 1 January 2026 who have shown exceptional commitment to sustainability within their organisation and for their customers.