Climate Awards

The 2026 Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Program application submission process now open for applications from April 22, 2026 to June 30, 2026. 

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Climate and Energy Leadership
Awards recognize organizations that develop climate stewardship projects and programs that
engage and serve the region’s underserved communities. The awards program highlights
a broad range of climate solutions for their unique engagement practices as well as their
results, creativity, and replicability.

The award categories include:

• (2) GOVERNMENT AGENCY (local, state, regional, quasi-govt, utilities or authoritie
  • Small Jurisdiction (population < 90k)
  • Large Jurisdiction (population > 90k)
• (1) NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (non-profit, citizen or community-based groups)
• (1) BUSINESSES AND FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
• (1) EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION (K-12, public, private or higher education)

Visit the nominations page to submit a nomination.

Awardees are recognized in front of local, regional, and national officials and presented with a unique, environmentally-friendly award that is hand-crafted by a local artist. 

To learn more about previous winners, visit the Awardees page.