Climate Choices Schools Awards

For the school with the greatest improvement in resource management and sustained sustainability engagement throughout the school in 2026, as calculated in SSP Online.

The winning school must demonstrate excellent resource management and meaningful engagement of staff and students in sustainability.

For a staff member who is leading sustainability action at a school which is newly engaged with the SSP Online in 2026.

This is a non-competitive award. It recognises school staff that attend quarterly Sustainability Buddies Networking events and engage in mentoring partnerships with other schools.

The Hidden Treasure Award will go to the school with the most innovative and impactful initiative which does one or more of the following:

• improve resource use (e.g. reduce waste to landfill; reduce energy use; reduce water use; improve biodiversity at school)
• teach and engage classes across the school in impactful climate-positive action through the curriculum
• support and empower students to take the lead in climate-positive action
• engage the broader school community in climate-positive action.

The initiative must have started in 2026. Schools self-nominate for this award.

This award is for ACT school students from preschool to year 6. The Sustainable Steps Poster Competition 2026 will award a student from each of the below categories:

• juniors (preschool and kindergarten)
• lower primary (years 1 and 2)
• mid primary (years 3 and 4)
• upper primary (years 5 and 6)
• Supported artwork category (for students who may benefit from additional support to participate in the competition).

For a school that sent a student team to the Schools Climate Action Conference in April 2026. The award goes to the school whose team's actions after the conference had the greatest impact on sustainability.