Aviva investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, has announced the winners of its second annual Sustainability Media Awards, which seek to recognise excellence in reporting on sustainability-linked topics across the UK media.
The awards, created by Aviva Investors and now in their second year, celebrate the journalists, editors and media organisations that demonstrate consistently high standards of reporting across climate, ESG and sustainability topics, including biodiversity, social issues and investment and policy issues.
Responsible Investor was recognised as ‘Publication of the Year’, with judges highlighting its reputation for combining breaking news stories alongside deep, analytical content as a major differentiator, likewise its willingness to call out major firms in the quest to promote greater responsibility in the investment universe.
James Murray was named ‘Editor of the Year’, promoting the importance of sustainability, both through the editorial team at Business Green and his own very strong national TV and radio presence, whilst Alex Newman from the Financial Times’ Investors Chronicle magazine received the Judging panel’s ‘Judges’ Choice’ award for best contribution to climate change journalism, for writing which has shone a light on the ways that investors of all shapes and sizes might start to better approach and understand the topic of ESG.
Mark Versey, Chief Executive Officer at Aviva Investors, said: “Climate change is the greatest threat to the planet, its people, as well as countries and companies across all geographies. It is therefore critical we remain responsible stewards of our clients’ investments, directing capital towards activities best-placed to support a transition towards a low carbon future and protecting them from the material risks of holding assets likely to be impacted by climate-related obsolescence. These awards recognise the journalists tackling those topics head-on, who shine a light on best-practice and scorn those who fall short of expectations; their role is crucial in ensuring our industry continues to uphold efforts to deliver the progress required.”
Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Aviva Investors, added: “Despite the success of last year’s inaugural awards, which attracted 100 entries across all categories, we have yet again been blown away by an even higher volume of submissions this year and the quality of writing received. The last 12 months have seen conversations about ESG and climate change move on at great speed; from COP26 in Glasgow to the more sophisticated discussion we now seeing taking place about ESG and its various complexities.”
Entries were judged by a panel of experts from across the investment industry, led by Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Aviva Investors, with the prize-giving ceremony taking place in the auditorium at Aviva’s St Helen’s offices, London, on Thursday 3rd November.
The full list of winners at the Aviva Investors Sustainability Media Awards 2022 are:
- Winner – Responsible Investor
- Highly commended – Citywire Selector
- Shortlisted – Financial News
Editor of the Year
- Winner – James Murray, Business Green
- Highly commended – Toby Mitchenall, New Private Markets
- Shortlisted – Daniel Flatt, Capital Monitor
Best Editorial Campaign
- Winner – Financial Times (Lex)
- Highly commended – ESG Clarity
Judges’ Choice, Best Contribution to Climate Change Journalism
- Winner – Alex Newman, Investors Chronicle
Newcomer of the Year
- Winner – Polly Bindman, Capital Monitor
- Highly commended – Siri Christiansen, Citywire Selector
- Shortlisted – Dominic Webb, Responsible Investor
Climate Change Article of the Year:
- Winner – Vibeka Mair, Capital Monitor
- Highly commended – Laurence Fletcher and Joshua Oliver, Financial Times
Biodiversity Article of the Year:
- Winner – Chris Hall, ESG Investor
- Highly commended – Margaryta Kirakosian, Citywire Selector
Social Article of the Year:
- Winner – Paul Hodgson, Freelance
- Highly Commended – Dan Jones, Investors Chronicle
- Shortlisted – Gill Wadsworth, Freelance
Policy & Regulation Article of the Year:
- Winner – Alex Newman, Investors Chronicle
- Highly Commended – Stephanie Baxter, Rhotic Media
Real Assets Publication of the Year
- Winner – Infrastructure Investor
- Highly commended – IPE Real Assets
- Shortlisted – Real Asset Impact
