The Climate and Nature Impact Awards is an annual program to celebrate sustainability leaders
About
Recognizing emerging leaders and changemakers
Textile Exchange’s Climate and Nature Impact Awards recognizes individuals and partnerships making progress toward a regenerative and equitable raw materials economy.
From pioneering brands and retailers to producers, suppliers, farmers, and recyclers — achieving our climate and nature goals depends on action at every level of the supply network. These annual awards celebrate the individuals and partnerships creating measurable change in the way fibers and raw materials are produced.
Eligibilty
What we are looking for
We’re looking for those who are moving the needle — reducing emissions, restoring ecosystems, and creating better outcomes for people, animals, and the planet.
Ryan Young Climate Leader Award
Named in memory of Ryan Young, our late COO and the driving force behind our Climate+ strategy, this award honors an individual who is showing bold leadership in reducing emissions at the raw material level. The recipient will demonstrate not only a deep commitment to climate action, but the ability to deliver measurable outcomes that support both climate and nature goals across fiber and material production.
Collaboration in Action Award
This award recognizes a partnership between a brand and a Tier 4 organization working together to shift the system. Whether through ecosystem protection, improved land stewardship, or shared investment in new practices, the winning collaboration will demonstrate how cross-supply network partnerships can drive real impact — and act as a model for others seeking to do the same.
Regenerative Land Leadership Award
This award honors a fiber producer who is putting regenerative principles into practice — not just through intention, but through active measurement and accountability. From soil health to biodiversity, the recipient will be demonstrating outcomes that support nature-positive transformation on the ground.
Textile-to-Textile Partnership Award
This award celebrates a collaboration between a recycler and a value chain partner who are working together to close the loop. Through shared commitment, investment, and innovation, the partnership will be helping to scale preferred recycled systems with the potential to shift both practice and perception across the industry.
NOMINATE
Nominations are now open for the 2025 awards
We welcome applications from the public, including both Textile Exchange members and non-members. Applicants can either self-nominate or to put forward others they believe deserve recognition.
Nominations will be vetted by an independent advisory panel, and final decisions will be made by an internal judging committee.
To nominate yourself or someone else, fill out the nomination form by July 15, 2025.
case studies
Meet some of last year’s winners
Meeting the Australian Wool Growers Bringing the Land Back to Life
In the harsh, dry landscapes of Western Australia, Di and Ian Haggerty are proving that regeneration is even in the most challenging conditions. Their innovative approach to farming earned them the Ryan Young Climate Leader Award at the 2024 Textile Exchange Conference and is reshaping what’s possible for wool production in Australia.
Growing Climate-Resilient Cotton with Materra’s Master Farmers in Gujarat, India
A core part of Materra’s work focuses on building sustainable partnerships with fashion brands through multi-year regenerative cotton offtake agreements between brands and 5000+ farmers in India. Binding agreements like these ensure much-needed support and risk-sharing for farmers, winning them last year’s Collaboration in Action award.
