The Political Purpose Awards
The 2026 Political Purpose Awards Shortlist
The Political Purpose Awards are returning for their fourth edition, celebrating those using their platform to put nature, wildlife and the environment at the heart of public life.
We are pleased to announce this year’s shortlist across ten categories. For 2026, we have introduced new awards, including the Companion Animal Care Award, the Planning for Nature Recovery Award and the Campaigner of the Year Award.
This year’s shortlist was selected by an esteemed panel of campaigners, NGO leaders and business representatives who are deeply involved in environmental causes.
The panel was made up of:
- John Higginson, Founder, Higginson Strategy and Nature 2030
- Dominic Dyer, Chair, Nature 2030
- Emily Walch, Corporate Affairs Director, Doubtless Pet Insurance UK & EU
- Peter Hall, Philanthropist
- Emma Slawinski, CEO, League Against Cruel Sports
- James Wallace, CEO, River Action UK
- Arthur Thomas, Public Affairs Advisor, Four Paws UK
- Andrea Crump, COO, Keep Britain Tidy
- Reshima Sharma, Deputy Head of Politics, Greenpeace UK
- Richard Barnes, Head of Planning & External Affairs, London Wildlife Trust
- Harry Wright, CEO, Bright Tide
- Alice Judge, Co-founder, Pet Impact
We would like to thank our headline sponsors, Animal Friends Insurance and Peter Hall, as well as our individual award sponsors: League Against Cruel Sports, River Action UK, Four Paws UK, Keep Britain Tidy, Greenpeace UK, London Wildlife Trust, Bright Tide and Pet Impact.
The full shortlist for the 2026 Political Purpose Awards can be found below and here.
We look forward to announcing the winners at this year’s ceremony in the House of Commons in September.
2026 Political Purpose Awards Shortlist
The shortlist for the Wildlife Crime Prevention Award includes Jim Dickson MP, Lord Zac Goldsmith, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP and Baroness Hayman of Ullock.
The shortlist for the Rivers & Seas Award includes Lloyd Hatton MP, Terry Jermy MP, Charlie Maynard MP, and Edward Morello MP.
The shortlist for the Animal Welfare Award includes Aphra Brandreth MP, Adrian Ramsay MP, Jane Dodds MS, Zack Polanski and Baroness Hayman of Ullock.
The shortlist for the Green Council of the Year Award includes Newark and Sherwood Council, Hull City Council, City of London Corporation, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and Blackpool Council/Enveco NW.
The shortlist for the Planning for Nature Recovery Award includes Dorset Council, London Borough of Sutton, Mid Suffolk District Council, East Suffolk Council and Forest of Dean District Council.
The shortlist for the Pollution, Waste & Air Award includes Andrew Muir MLA, Sian Berry MP, Fleur Anderson MP, Steve Rotheram, and Helena Dollimore MP.
The shortlist for the Companion Animal Care Award includes Irene Campbell MP, Danny Chambers MP, Sarah Owen MP, Hannah Spencer MP and Cat Eccles MP.
The shortlist for the Campaigner of the Year Award includes Hannah Bourne-Taylor, Zofia Page, Rob Pownall and Feargal Sharkey.
The shortlist for the Nature & Biodiversity Award includes Sarah Champion MP, Lord Teverson, Lisa Boulton, Dr Michael Dixon and Fenella Chambers.
