Yesterday afternoon, leaders from across the UK and international advertising industry gathered to celebrate those driving real, measurable environmental action at the Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards 2026.
As the climate crisis demands urgent transformation, these awards highlight responsible advertising and initiatives that decarbonise how our industry operates, from production to media distribution, while using commercial creativity to shift consumer behaviour towards sustainable living.
Sponsored by the Association of Online Publishers (AOP), and delivered in partnership with the Advertising Association, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), ISBA, and AdGreen, these awards showcase how collaboration across advertisers, agencies, media owners, and tech partners can redefine standard business practice.
Congratulations to the winners across all categories, including UK Grand Prix winner The Guardian, for its long-term, total approach to sustainability across both its journalism and its business. International Grand Prix winner was Renault Group with OMD, OM Sustainable Solutions, Publicis, and I Care, for its multi-market media decarbonisation programme.
As we congratulate all of our 2026 winners and shortlisted entrants, we urge teams across the industry to examine these winning case studies, adopt Ad Net Zero best practice approaches, and continue raising the standard for sustainable advertising.
Explore all the winning case studies and read an in-depth Grand Prix spotlight here.
Q&A
1. Â What are the Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards and what do they celebrate?
The Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards are an annual international awards programme celebrating the most impactful sustainability, decarbonisation, and net-zero initiatives across advertising, production, events, and media. The awards highlight businesses actively reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions and harnessing commercial creativity to encourage sustainable consumer behaviour.
2. Which UK advertising organisations partner on the Ad Net Zero Awards?
The awards were created by Ad Net Zero and Campaign UK, part of Haymarket Group. The awards are sponsored by the Association of Online Publishers (AOP) and in partnership with the UK’s leading advertising trade bodies and climate initiatives: Advertising Association, The IPA, ISBA, AdGreen.
3. How does the UK advertising industry reduce emissions across ad campaigns?
The UK advertising sector targets emissions reductions across the entire campaign lifecycle through:
- Production Decarbonisation: Using carbon calculators and green production standards via AdGreen to reduce travel, waste, and set power emissions.
- Low-Carbon Media Planning & Buying: Optimising digital supply paths, eliminating ad tech carbon waste, and selecting media owners with certified renewable energy or Science-Based Targets (SBTi).
- Sustainable Events & Operations: Lowering travel and build footprints for brand activations and industry events.
Behaviour Change Campaigns: Deploying creative storytelling to promote low-carbon lifestyle choices, products, and services.Â
4. Where can I find case studies and full results for the Ad Net Zero Awards?
Category breakdowns and winners are published on the official Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards website. For supporters, please contact Ad Net Zero for case studies and further details in the Campaign Ad Net Zero 2026 Playbook.
5. Who won the Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards 2026?
- The 2026 Grand Prix awards were won by The Guardian (UK) and Renault Group in partnership with OMD, OM Sustainable Solutions, Publicis, and I Care (International).
- Best Progress / Long-Term Change: The Guardian, Best Business Transformation: Ocean Outdoor UK, Marketing and Sustainability, Collaboration: Renault Group with OMD, OM Sustainable Solutions, Publicis and I Care, The Business Case for Better: Channel 4 & B Lab UK
- Best Practice in Sustainability:Â APAC: MBM for Meridian Energy, EMEA: Spotify, The Americas: Outdoorlink, Ad Tech Services (UK): Numodo for Severn Trent Water, Advertiser (UK): MG OMD for giffgaff | Certified B Corp, Agency (UK): Media Bounty | B Corp, Media Owner (UK): Mobile Media
- Best Practice in Sustainable Ad Production: EMEA: Beiersdorf with MurphyCobb for NIVEA
- Best Practice in Sustainable Events: EMEA: Emota for AstraZeneca, The Americas: Spotify
- Best Practice in Sustainable Media Planning: APAC: Benedictus Media for Australian Ethical, EMEA: Supply Finder & Impact Plus, The Americas: Campfire Consulting for Allagash Brewing Company, UK: Good-Loop with the IPA
- Sector Categories: Automotive, Travel & Transport: JCDecaux UK, MG OMD, Displayce & VIOOH for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Business & Industrial (UK): Havas Media UK for EDF & ITV, Business & Industrial (International): Media Bounty / ACT Climate Labs for Ocean Energy Pathway
- Entertainment, Gaming & Leisure: Immediate & Antidote Studios by Rubber Republic, Food & Drink: BBH for Tesco, Government/Public Sector: M+C Saatchi London for DESNZ, Media: Ecologi with giffgaff and MG OMD, NGO/Charity: December19 for Material Focus / Recycle Your Electricals, Telecoms: MG OMD for giffgaff
- Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability: Team Contribution: Emota Global Exhibitions & Environments Team.
