The GSA awards ceremony is a unique event that features relevant content, a well thought-out program, and a deep appreciation of the best and most emotional moments. It's also a completely climate-neutral event.
The GSA awards ceremony on 4 December 2020 in Düsseldorf will be all about celebrating outstanding achievements in sustainability and the great minds behind them--well staged, informative, quick and anything but dry on stage. Germany's Greenest Gala is set to be attended by 1,200 invited guests from leading companies, representatives from local governments, prominent politicians, top researchers and others. There will be 130 media representatives.
Bright faces, thrills and emotional moments. On November 22nd, 2019, Sir Bob Watson, Prof. Klaus Töpfer, Iron Woman Anne Haug and Alexandra Cousteau presented the coveted GSA trophies. Federal Minister Dr. Franziska Giffey honored Joachim Gauck for his life's work, and bestselling author Waris Dirie honored the inventor of SDGs, Paula Caballero. Highlight of the finale: Simply Red live.
The GSA honorary awards are presented to prominent figures that promote and strengthen the idea of sustainability on a nationwide or even international level, be it in the context of their professional activities or through voluntary commitment. They draw the attention of the media to the other award winners from companies, local governments and research.
Every year, artists from the global music scene light up the stage and take a stand for ecological and social issues, raising their voices to fight for positive change. They bring the radiance to the evening that all finalists and winners deserve.
Past guests have included Annie Lennox, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, Cat Stevens, José Carreras, Art Garfunkel, Jamie Cullum, Nelly Furtado, Fanta 4 and the Scorpions.
Right from the start, the set design of the awards ceremony relies on projections, the intelligent use of media and a simple screen made of recycled PET bottles. The podium and all wooden elements are stored and reused. State-of-the-art LED light and projection technology save energy and resources.
The first patron of the German Sustainability Award in 2008 was the then acting Federal President Prof. Horst Köhler. Subsequently, Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel took over the patronage for several years. This was followed by a number of politicians who supported the award with speeches and welcoming addresses. The patron of the tenth anniversary in 2017 was Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.