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Finder Green Awards 2022
Recognising the sustainability leaders for products and categories you can compare on Finder.
Finder Green Awards 2022 - Winners and finalists
With initiatives to reduce emissions, provide sustainable finance options and move towards zero waste, the Finder Green Awards winners from 2022 were certainly doing their bit to protect our planet. You can find the winners and finalists from our 2022 Awards below.
After being finalists for the last two years, Teachers Mutual Bank is our Green Bank of the Year for 2022. We were impressed across the board and noted the bank's net zero operations as a key differentiator alongside an ESG approach that means it is the only Australian bank with five products accredited by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia.
BetaShares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF came close to taking the win last year and was a deserving winner this year. The ETF has a solid approach to ESG screening that stood up well against the competition but it really stood out thanks to its strong financial returns and low fees.
Brighte took the win again in our Green Lender category. The brand continues to lend primarily for to green projects with a strong focus on residential solar. Since last year, Brighte has also committed to the Leaders for Climate Action pledge with impressive associated targets and projects.
This is the third win for Australian Ethical. The super fund continues to lead the way when it comes to the emissions intensity of its investment portfolio with nearly one third of all investments being in sustainable entities. It also continues to impress with low operational emissions and strong environmental targets.
This year we have a new winner in Enova Community Energy who scored well across the board but stood out for its social enterprise business structure that ensures 50% of profits go into the organisation foundation. In turn, the foundation then funds community renewable energy projects, energy efficiency and energy education services.
Belong wrapped up the Green Broadband category thanks to its unique carbon neutral approach that also offsets all electricity used by its customers' modems. Belong also scored well for having the lowest emissions in the category and a strong e-waste recycling program.
felix came very close to securing the win in this category last year and this year has gone one better. Its 100% renewable energy usage and low emissions profile helped it to stand out whilst its tree planting program for each new customer was unique in a highly competitive category.
Seed & Sprout won our Green Online Retailer award in previous years but faced some tough competition in this new category. We noted the brand's impressive operational sustainability figures as well as having a number of leading sustainability initiatives including all products either being zero waste or 100% recyclable.
Zero Co took the win thanks to an entire circular business model leading to minimal plastic waste. We also noted Zero Co's commitment to reducing the impact of its business operations with low emissions and impressive environmental targets.
ELK is another first time winner in this year's Green Awards. The brand impressed with high renewable energy usage and low emissions. It also gives 1% of all profits to environmental charities and prides itself on transparency with an annual report outlining the progress it has made in these areas.
There were a number of new entries for this category in 2022 but it was Seed & Sprout that stood out once again and named as our Green Online Retailer of the Year. Low emissions, 100% renewable energy usage and its commitment to selling sustainable products continued to impress.
Finalists:
Banish
Good & Fugly
Green Supermarket of the Year
Woolworths
It was another close run race in our Green Supermarket category this year with both finalists clearly making sustainability a high priority for the business. It was Woolworths that took the win though with science backed emissions targets, multiple customer facing environmental initiatives and a clear strategy for engaging suppliers in its climate action work.
Hyundai led the way in the Green Car category and it was the Hyundai IONIQ that took the win once again. On top of zero tailpipe emissions, it also led the field on both energy efficiency and pricing.
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort might be a small resort on the Southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef but it punches above its weight when it comes to climate action. The on-island solar farm powers the vast majority of the island's operations whilst the revegetation program across the island was unique in this category. It also plays a big role in the reef conservation efforts in the region with a particularly impressive approach to protect the rare Manta Rays that call the island home.
Finalists:
Holiday Inn Express – Newcastle
Swell Lodge – Christmas Island
Insurance Awards
Green Health Insurer of the Year
Health Insurance Fund of Australia
We're delighted to announce HIF as our first ever Green Health Insurer of the Year. HIF should be commended for its strong carbon offsetting program and low overall emissions.
It was QBE that took the overall insurance category once again with low operational emissions and even more impressive targets. It is on track to be net-zero by 2030 and also demonstrated a clear consideration for climate change in its risk and investment decisions.
BetaCarbon impressed us with its world-first approach to tokenising compliance grade carbon credits into a cryptocurrency able to be distributed at the checkout. Not only has the product been launched but it has already found product market fit with more than 75,000 kilos of carbon offset at a cost significantly lower for the end user.
Guy was front and centre in launching BetaCarbon that also won our Green Innovation of the year category. As the CEO of BetaCarbon, Guy has made it his mission to democratise carbon credits and drive carbon awareness to consumers and merchants and we look forward to following his journey.
Finalists:
Brodie Haupt (WLTH)
Danling Xiao (ReCo)
Drew Haupt (WLTH)
Green Leader of the Year
Dr Kaushik Sridhar (Evolution Mining)
This year Kaushik Sridhar took our Green Leader of the year award thanks to his efforts at the ASX150 listed Evolution Mining. In a sector not renowned for climate action, Kaushik has really moved the needle and in the last 12 months got board approval for an ambitious net zero emissions target whilst also improving ESG scores across the board including an AA MSCI rating. Sometimes making changes in the high emissions sectors has the biggest impact and Kaushik is testimony to this approach.
Finalists:
Danielle Holden (dk active)
Gaby Rosenberg (Blossom App)
Green Team of the Year
Plenti - Renewable Energy Finance Team
Plenti has come close to winning our Green Lender category for a number of years so we're happy its renewable energy team has taken the win in the Green Team category. The continued growth of this part of the Plenti business caught the judges eye whilst its partnership with AGL is making renewable energy more accessible and affordable to a whole new audience of Australian households.
If you have questions or want to find out more about the Finder Green Awards then please get in touch with the Finder Awards team via awards@finder.com.
The Finder Green Awards recognise sustainable companies in a range of categories we compare, and help you find companies doing their bit to protect the planet.
Which Australian banks are really doing their bit for the environment? Find out with the Finder Green Awards.
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