“No business without biodiversity” – Apply now for the Biodiversity Award for Business 2026
Application deadline: February 28, 2026
Berlin: Companies that combine nature conservation and economic success can apply for the Biodiversity Prize for Business until February 28, 2026. The nationwide competition focuses on companies that take responsibility for biodiversity. Under the motto “No business without biodiversity”, the award is presented as part of the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project.
The preservation of biodiversity is a joint task for the future – and the economy plays a decisive role in this. Intact ecosystems safeguard raw materials, pollination, water quality and the climate – the basis of all entrepreneurial activity. Companies that promote biodiversity are therefore not only investing in the protection of nature, but also in their own long-term competitiveness and responsibility towards future generations.
Show how your company promotes biodiversity and set an example for sustainability! Apply for the Biodiversity Award for Business and make your contribution to biodiversity visible.
Two competition categories – five awards
The Biodiversity Award for Business 2026 recognizes companies that successfully integrate biodiversity into their business processes – along supply and demand chains.
value chains through to the design of nature-oriented company spaces. The competition therefore comprises two categories: Biodiversity along the supply chain and Nature-oriented company premises. In both categories, one large company and one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) will be honored. In addition, the public will award an audience prize among the finalists – irrespective of the categories. Voting will take place online as soon as the finalists have been determined. A total of five prizes will be awarded.
The winners benefit from a one-year free membership of the ‘Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative’, a prestigious
Business network that promotes biodiversity as a central component of sustainable economic development. The award is accompanied by media
Visibility and support in external communication, so that the projects and successes of the companies become known to a broad public. The submitted projects are evaluated by an independent jury from the fields of science, business and nature conservation. The focus is on the effectiveness, exemplary character and transferability of the measures.
Award ceremony on April 23, 2026 in Berlin
The award ceremony will take place on April 23, 2026 in Berlin. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has been asked to personally present the award to the winners in recognition of the award-winning companies’ commitment to biodiversity.
Background information
The “Biodiversity Prize for Business” competition is part of the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project, which is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) as part of the Federal Biological Diversity Program. The competition is organized by the UBi project partners ‘Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative’ and DIHK Service GmbH in cooperation with BAUM e.V. Dr. Stefanie Eichiner, CEO of the ‘Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative’ emphasizes: “The Biodiversity Award shows how much companies can be drivers of change. Biodiversity is the foundation of our economy – from stable supply chains to healthy ecosystems. Those who protect biodiversity are investing in sustainability and innovation. I am delighted that more and more companies are recognizing this connection and taking responsibility.”
Following the successful premiere of “The supply chain is alive” in 2019, the competition was continued in 2023 and attracted a great deal of media attention. Committed finalists such as Triodos Bank, the Melitta Group and the company Perú Puro received particular recognition for their biodiversity projects. Further information on the competition, the jury and the application process can be found at: https://ubi.business-and-biodiversity.de/biodiversitaetspreis
About “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi”
The aim of the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project is to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) and to activate companies for the topic of biodiversity. The project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUK). The UBi project is being carried out by five project partners: Biodiversity in Good Company, Bodensee-Stiftung, DIHK Service GmbH, Global Nature Fund and Collaborating Center on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP). Information on the Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi project is available online at https://www.unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de/.
Press contact Company Biological Diversity – UBi
Collaborating Center on Sustainable Consumption and Production gGmbH (CSCP)
Katrin Hüttepohl, Communication Manager
Phone: +49 202 459 58 – 17
E-mail: info@unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de
About ‘Biodiversity in Good Company’ Initiative e.V.
‘Biodiversity in Good Companys’ Initiative e.V. (BiGC) is a cross-industry association of companies that advocate the protection of biodiversity in the interests of the economy. At COP 9 2008 in Bonn, BiGC was launched as the world’s first Business and Biodiversity Initiative on the initiative of the Federal Environment Ministry, GIZ and a number of companies. Since August 2011, the initiative has been a registered non-profit association, which is now supported by over 50 member companies from Germany. The members of the initiative undertake to report on their activities in the field of biodiversity every two years (progress reports) and are committed to the CBD goals. https://www.business-and-biodiversity.de
Press contact ‘Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative’ e.V.
E-mail: ubi@business-and-biodiversity.de
About DIHK Service GmbH
DIHK Service GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). Since 2024, the project team has been working with the chambers of industry and commerce to establish regional business networks – the Biodiversity Alliances. These networks bring together local stakeholders and provide practical support for companies on the topic of biodiversity through workshops and online impulses. DIHK Service GmbH currently supports around 300 members in 9 regional alliances. https://www.dihk-service-gmbh.de/de
Press contact DIHK Service GmbH
DIHK Service GmbH
Eva Baumgärtner & Valentin Franklyn I Project coordination
E-mail: biologischevielfalt@dihk.de
About BAUM e.V.
As a network, BAUM e.V. is committed to advancing the central issue: a future worth living through sustainable management. Founded in 1984, the association now has around 800 members, it is a voice of sustainably operating companies at federal and European level and a driving force for the socio-ecological market economy. BAUM supports companies willing to transform in setting up and developing sustainability strategies and networks stakeholders from business, politics, science, media and associations. BAUM’s current flagship projects include the “Business for Climate” initiative, the SDG Scouts® project and the annual BAUM | Environment and Sustainability Award. Other important fields of work are sustainable finance, sustainable mobility and biodiversity & ecosystems. www.baumev.de
Press contact BAUM e.V.
BAUM e.V.
Dr. Katrin Wippich
Phone: +49 40 49 07 11 08
E-mail katrin.wippich@baumev.de
