7th Edition
OCTOBER 13th, 2026
InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, Le Diplomate hall
InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, Le Diplomate hall
THE DIPLOMAT - BUCHAREST & SUSTAINABILITY TODAY organizes on October 13th, 2026, the 7th edition of the SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS FORUM & AWARDS GALA dedicated to recognizing the performance of initiatives, projects, companies and leaders in the Romanian economy.
Established 7 years ago, the Business Sustainability Forum and Awards Gala annually presents the essential and fundamental elements of sustainability and ecological developments within the Sustainability Forum and rewards the performance of initiatives, projects, companies and leaders operating in intersectoral fields in Romania within the Sustainability Awards Gala.
13:00 - 13:30
13:30 - 15:00
Focus: Aligning Policy, Finance, and Compliance for Sustainable Transition and ESG Accountability
Key Discussion Topics:
• National Sustainability Priorities: Policy, Investment, and Sectoral Transition Plans
• Navigating the New Sustainability Rulebook: CSRD, ESRS, and Emerging EU Obligations
• Sustainable Capital: Accessing Green Financing, Incentives, and EU Taxonomy Opportunities
• Corporate Accountability: Preparing for ESG Audits and Regulatory Scrutiny
15 00– 15:20
15:20 - 16:50
Focus: Scalable solutions for industrial efficiency and decarbonization
Key Discussion Topics:
• Decarbonizing the Value Chain (Scope 3): Collaborative frameworks with logistics and supply chain partners to reduce indirect emissions.
• Green Energy & Mobility Infrastructure: Accelerating electric fleet adoption, charging network development, and facility energy optimization.
• The AI Edge in ESG: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for supplier data collection and reporting automation.
• Industrial Best Practices: Success stories and benchmarks in low-carbon technology adoption and process modernization.
• Climate Resilience & Asset Protection: Strategies for ensuring business continuity against emerging environmental risks.
• Strategic Public-Private Partnerships: Unlocking EU and national funding to accelerate large-scale green investment projects
16:50 - 17:30
17:30 - 19:00
As companies navigate increasing climate pressures, shifting regulatory frameworks, and heightened societal expectations, sustainability has become a core driver of resilience, competitiveness, and long-term value creation.
The Sustainability in Business Forum provides a strategic platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector cooperation, supporting the integration of ESG principles into business models and operational processes.
Throughout the event, participants will explore key themes such as decarbonization pathways, circular economy models, sustainable finance, digital transformation, and modern approaches to corporate governance. Case studies, expert insights, and sector-focused discussions will highlight both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in transitioning toward a greener and more inclusive economy.
The SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS GALA is dedicated to the performance and proven commitment in the development of sustainable initiatives, projects and leaders in the business sectors of the Romanian economy, to highlight even more the primary importance of acting sustainably regardless of industry or region. The Gala event portrays and rewards the concepts, projects, leaders and companies that made a mark in the sustainability field in Romania. The Gala Awards displays and explores cutting-edge solutions and the most relevant voices in climate change, resource conservation, and ethical business practices. The event not only serves as a catalyst for driving change but also cultivates a sense of collective responsibility, inspiring participants to play an active role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient global economy.
The SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS GALA aims at offering the spotlight for standing out leading companies, managers and projects as FRONT-RUNNERS IN SUSTAINABILITY.
THE SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS have been designated to COMPANIES, LEADERS AND INITIATIVES that have met the criteria of:
• Successfully meeting the sustainability objectives / targets
• The innovative and new approach of the project / initiative
• The commitment and perseverance of promoting and leading sustainable projects in the company and industry
• The scale up potential of the initiative / project at the level of company and industry
NOMINATION TIMELINE
1 June: Start of nominations entries for all categories. Companies and individuals can submit their nomination choices using the online platform for GENERAL & SPECIAL CATEGORIES.
21 September: Deadline for nominations entries. The nominating procedure will be closed after this date and late entries will not be considered for Sustainability Awards 2026 edition.
22 September - 5 October: ONLINE PUBLIC VOTING for categories: BRAND OF THE YEAR, NET-ZERO CARBON STRATEGY OF THE YEAR & SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING & COMMUNICATIONS
22 September: All nominations entered in the competition will be submitted to Jury.
13 October 2026. The WINNERS’ announcement and Awarding Ceremony
RAUL POP
• GAME CHANGER IN SUSTAINABILITY
• SUSTAINABILITY FRONTRUNNER IN THE INDUSTRY
• NET-ZERO CARBON STRATEGY OF THE YEAR
• SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR
• ESG INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
• SUSTAINABLE FINANCE SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
• SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE YEAR
• CORPORATE LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY
• EDUCATIONAL PROJECT IN SUSTAINABILITY
• SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION CONCEPT
• SOCIAL VALUE INITIATIVE IN SUSTAINABILITY
• CLIMATE ACTION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
• CIRCULAR ECONOMY INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
• WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
• TECHNOLOGY IMPACT AWARD
• CEO LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY
• SUSTAINABILITY LEADER OF THE YEAR
• SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADOR
• PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
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Cut down the development time with drag-and-drop website builder. Drop the blocks into the page, edit content inline and publish - no technical skills required.
Cut down the development time with drag-and-drop website builder. Drop the blocks into the page, edit content inline and publish - no technical skills required.
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• BRAND OF THE YEAR
Recognising the brand with the strongest presence,
credibility, and impact in sustainability
• SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING & COMMUNICATIONS
Recognising excellence in communicating sustainability performance and impact
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No special actions required, all sites you make with Mobirise are mobile-friendly. You don't have to create a special mobile version of your site, it will adapt automagically.
No special actions required, all sites you make with Mobirise are mobile-friendly. You don't have to create a special mobile version of your site, it will adapt automagically.
Cut down the development time with drag-and-drop website builder. Drop the blocks into the page, edit content inline and publish - no technical skills required.
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1. Strategy & Leadership: A clear and forward-looking sustainability strategy, fully integrated into the business, supported by strong leadership commitment and governance.
2. Impact & Results: Demonstrated, measurable environmental and/or social impact, with clear KPIs and proven progress against sustainability targets.
3. Environmental Performance: Effective actions to reduce environmental impact, including climate change mitigation, resource efficiency, waste management, and biodiversity protection.
4. Social Value: Meaningful contributions to communities and society, through initiatives in areas such as education, health, inclusion, and local development.
5. Stakeholder Engagement: Active engagement with key stakeholders and a strong focus on addressing material ESG topics.
6. Execution & Scalability: High-quality implementation, with initiatives that are scalable, replicable, and designed for long-term impact.
7. Transparency & Governance: Clear reporting, accountability, and alignment with recognized ESG standards and best practices
1. Relevance & Purpose: Clarity of the problem addressed and the initiative’s contribution to advancing sustainability goals.
2. Innovation: Level of originality and the use of innovative approaches, technologies, or business models.
3. Impact & Measurable Results: Demonstrated environmental and/or social impact, supported by clear data, KPIs, and tangible outcomes.
4. Implementation & Execution: Quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of execution, including planning, resources, and partnerships.
5. Scalability & Replicability: Potential to expand or replicate the initiative across industries, markets, or communities.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Level of involvement and positive impact on stakeholders, beneficiaries, and partners.
7. Long-Term Value: Ability to generate lasting impact and contribute to sustainable, systemic change
- The awardees must have made, and continue to make, a unique and outstanding academic or societal contribution to sustainability in general or to a sustainability-relevant issue in particular.
- Outstanding contribution in sustainability projects in 2022. Disclosed actions taken with quantifiable results, scope of impact, targets and future plans of the initiatives
- Demonstrated innovation & value addition
- Testimonials
The awarded WINNERS of SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS GALA will be announced and celebrated on stage on October 13th 2026, during the prestigious Awards Gala.
Limited seats available
InterContinental Athénée Palace,
Strada Episcopiei, București 010292
47-57 Drumul Gura Ariesului Street,
Tronson 1, 11th Floor, Ap. 82
Sector 3, Bucharest
Email: office@thediplomat.ro
Phone: +40 722 523 535