2025 Sustainability & Innovation Awards winners unveiled in Shanghai

The winners of the 2025 Sustainability & Innovation Awards were announced in Shanghai on April 28 to celebrate good sustainability practices across China.

The awards, established in 2022 by the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, are set to recognize the excellence of businesses, organizations and individuals who are at the forefront of China-based sustainable practices.

The awards ceremony, which drew over 140 attendees, saw expanded partnerships with the Australian Chamber of Commerce Shanghai and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

Lyu Jianzhong, chairman of the 2025 Awards and board member of the Global Reporting Initiative, noted the increasing participation of Chinese enterprises in environmental, social, and governance practices.

"It is heartening to see more local enterprises embracing ESG and showcasing China's talent, ingenuity, and commitment to sustainability," Lyu said. "Equally impressive is witnessing international organizations adapt and elevate these practices in the Chinese context".

Wan Jiang, vice chair of BritCham Shanghai and president of Greater China of Smiths Group, emphasized the awards' role in fostering sustainable business practices. 

"This national awards program brings together a world-class panel of industry experts as judges to recognize excellence among local and international organizations, NGOs, and individuals at the forefront of China-based sustainable practices," he said. "We are committed to providing a platform that advances responsible business through peer support, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilization."

Awards were presented across various categories, recognizing achievements in sustainable development. The Innovation Award went to SYP Glass Group, while WildChina and Sodexo secured the Partnership Award and Sustainable Consumer Engagement Award, respectively.

Other winners included Shanghai Re-mall Environmental Protection New Material Co Ltd for the Circular Economy Award, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co Ltd for the Sustainable Supply Chain Award and Beijing Urban Construction Group Co Ltd for the Sustainable Finance Award.

In the Social Impact category, IHG Hotels & Resorts emerged victorious, while Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong won in the K12 subcategory. Huang Wei, global executive director of TES and president of TES China, was honored with the ESG Leader Award.

The ceremony, registered as a Shanghai Climate Week 2025 event, drew representatives from the British Consulate-General Shanghai, the Shanghai Climate Week committee, the Shanghai Corporate Counsel Association, the Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Committee of Chinese Society of Environmental Societies and more.

To build on this momentum, BritCham Shanghai plans to organize themed events commencing in the second half of 2025, aimed at sharing good practices and promoting sustainable development initiatives.