Environment

Climate Awards

The application period for the 2026 Climate and Energy Leadership Program has closed. Awardees will be announced in October. 

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.

News & Multimedia

  • News

    Officials applaud local actions advancing regional climate goals

    October 10, 2019

    COG presented the 2019 Climate and Energy Leadership Awards to the Prince George’s County Food Composting Program, Anacostia Coordinating Council, and Fairfax...

  • News

    Council of Governments honors region's climate and energy leaders

    October 11, 2017

    The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) presented the Climate and Energy Leadership Awards to the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy...

  • News

    Q&A: Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee Chair Gretchen Goldman

    July 27, 2017

    Gretchen Goldman is the Chair of the Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee (ACPAC), which provides input on air quality, climate, and energy issues to the...

Results: 21 found.