Call for Entries: Sustainability Report Award 2026, Judged by the Youth Generation

The Sustainable Campus Promotion Council (CAS-Net JAPAN) has opened applications for the 'Sustainability Report Award 2026'.

This award recognizes sustainability reports and environmental disclosures issued by universities, corporations, and other organizations. Its defining feature is the participation of university students—future stakeholders—in the judging process.

Students studying environmental and sustainability issues will evaluate submissions not only on technical content but also on criteria such as 'clarity', 'effectiveness of communication', and 'emotional resonance'.

While the importance of sustainability-related disclosures continues to grow, 'how initiatives are communicated' has become a major challenge. By incorporating the perspectives of younger generations, this award aims to improve report quality and promote more effective information dissemination.

Last year's Grand Prize was awarded to Nippon Ham Co., Ltd.

Ten organizations participated last year

In its inaugural 2025 edition, the award received entries from 10 organizations nationwide—8 universities and 2 companies.

Motivations for participation included:

'We want to understand how external parties perceive us'

'We hope to use objective feedback for future improvements'

'We want to hear honest opinions from students at other universities'

'We want younger generations to learn about our initiatives'

Participants shared their impressions after joining:

'We felt that student groups carefully read every detail of our report'

'We received both strengths and areas for improvement, which helped us in future report writing'

'It gave us a chance to reconsider what our environmental report should communicate'

'It became a catalyst for striving to create better reports'

Such feedback has been received.

A practical learning opportunity for students

Last year, 23 students from 4 student environmental groups across Japan participated in the judging.

Students shared:

'We learned about sustainability initiatives at other universities and companies'

'We gained insights into ESG investing and sustainable business management'

'We discovered diverse approaches toward a sustainable society'

'Our understanding of environmental management and sustainability deepened'

The award serves not only as a platform for recognition but also as a practical learning experience for the student evaluators.

Key Features of the Award

- A new award judged by students

Student environmental groups from across Japan conduct the first-round review. They evaluate reports from a youth perspective, focusing on 'readability', 'clarity of message', and 'emotional connection'.

- Emphasis on 'communication effectiveness'

Evaluation covers not only the content of environmental and sustainability initiatives but also how effectively they are communicated to stakeholders.

- Objective feedback provided

Each reviewing group prepares an evaluation report, enabling feedback from numerous students. University and corporate participants have highly valued this as 'an opportunity to receive honest external feedback'.

- Sharing and dissemination of best practices

By widely publicizing outstanding reports, the award promotes mutual learning and information sharing among organizations.

Winning cases will be announced separately.

Sustainability Report Award 2026: Call for Entries

Application Guidelines

Eligibility

Sustainability reports, environmental reports, or equivalent documents issued within the past year

※As up-to-date as possible by the deadline

Eligible Applicants

Organizations including national/public universities, private universities, school corporations, junior colleges, university departments/centers, national/local government bodies, public interest corporations, general incorporated associations, general incorporated foundations, university cooperatives, NPOs, student environmental groups, and private companies

Schedule

Application registration deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026 ※Reports need not be finalized at this stage

Document submission deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Notification of results: Early November 2026

Award Ceremony: Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Nagoya University (held within the CAS-Net JAPAN Annual Conference)

Application details

d121216-15-b5e39c08ba48b6adaa3034f5bcb3a4ca.pdf

More details: https://casnet-japan.org/free/sra

Call for Student Review Groups

The award is also recruiting student environmental groups to conduct the first-round review.

Through the review process, students can learn about sustainability activities at other universities and companies, while developing analytical and communication skills. Participating students will receive an 'SRA Student Reviewer Certificate'.

Application details

d121216-15-65905934a40bc54a4891080f3c443e96.pdf

More details: https://casnet-japan.org/free/sra-audit

About the Organizer

The Sustainable Campus Promotion Council (CAS-Net JAPAN) is a nationwide network that promotes initiatives toward a sustainable society through collaboration among universities, companies, government, and students.

Through advancing sustainable campuses, talent development, and sharing best practices, it contributes to enhancing sustainability across society.

Contact

Sustainable Campus Promotion Council (CAS-Net JAPAN)

Email: contact@casnet-japan.org