Ozone Layer Protection Awards

Since 1990, award winners have come from 54 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Ozone Layer Protection Awards in 1990 to recognize outstanding contributions to the protection of the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer. Since then, 554 individuals, companies, organizations, and teams from 54 countries have earned this honor. The recipients of each year's awards have demonstrated originality and public purpose, persuasive moral and organizational leadership, and elimination of emissions of ozone-depleting substances. EPA’s Ozone Layer Protection Awards are particularly prestigious because nominees compete globally against the notable accomplishments of many other potential winners, and winners are selected by previous winners.

Starting in 2009, the Ozone Layer Protection Awards are being expanded to include notable achievements to improve public awareness of the health impacts of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

List of all Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award winners
Best-of-the-Best Awards

Who is eligible to be considered for the Ozone Layer Protection Awards?

Candidates may be from anywhere in the world.
Individuals and organizations may work for the public or private sector.
Candidates may be either self-nominated or nominated by a third party.

How do I make a nomination for the Award?

The nomination form for the Ozone Layer Protection Award is now available (Word 127K; PDF 296K).

What are the Award selection criteria?

Applicants must demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:
- Originality and public purpose;
- Leadership and corporate responsibility;
- Global perspective and implication;
- Actual elimination of ozone depleting substance emissions;
- Improving awareness of the harmful health effects of overexposure to UV radiation;
An international panel of judges representing government, industry, and non-governmental organizations reviews recommendations; EPA makes the final award selections.

What makes the Ozone Layer Protection Awards unique?

The public understands the issue of ozone depletion, since most people are well aware of the health risks associated with overexposure to harmful radiation from the sun. In addition, because of widespread media coverage of the Antarctic “ozone hole,” efforts by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to study the ozone layer, and related stories, people readily grasp the importance of the winners’ contributions to phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances and promoting greater understanding of the relationship between ozone layer depletion, ultraviolet radiation, and health impacts.

Winners of the Ozone Layer Protection Awards are leading by example. Their demonstrated commitment and extraordinary contributions inspire other individuals and organizations to make a difference in protecting the environment. Their significant contributions help mitigate the health and environmental risks of ozone depletion, which include:

Skin cancer
Suppression of the immune system
Cataracts
Damage to marine life and crops

Where and When are the Awards presented?

The awards are presented in the spring each year in Washington, DC.