The Sustainable Markets Initiative today announced its 2023 Terra Carta Seal winners. The Seal recognises global companies which are actively leading the charge to create a climate and Nature-positive future.

The Terra Carta Seal is awarded to companies which have demonstrated the success of a high-impact, large scale company-wide project, initiative or strategy which aligns with one or more of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s ten Terra Carta Articles. The Articles underpin the Terra Carta, the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s guiding mandate which provides a roadmap and framework to accelerate the transition to an ambitious and sustainable future, placing Nature, People and Planet at the heart of global value creation.

The 17 2023 Terra Carta Seal winners span multiple geographies and industries, and include:

• Airbus
• Carbon Clean
• CDPQ
• DLA Piper
• EY
• Haier Smart Home
• Hitachi
• Lanza Tech
• Novartis
• Orange
• Ping An Bank
• Pollination
• ReNew
• Robertson
• Siemens Energy
• Soneva
• Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative, said: “The Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Terra Carta Seal recognises those companies which are taking great strides in delivering real-world outcomes to create a more positive future that we can all embrace. The calibre of the projects and initiatives being driven by these companies sets the standard for us all as we push forward to a more sustainable future.

“As we stand on the eve of COP28, where - at the Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum - public and private sector actors will come together to focus on how to bridge the gap between ambition and action. It is examples such as those showcased by the 2023 Terra Carta Seal winners which are helping to inspire and lead the way. Well done to all the winners.”

The Terra Carta Seal was launched in 2021 at COP26 by His Majesty King Charles III when he was the Prince of Wales. Since its inception, the Sustainable Markets Initiative has awarded its coveted Seal to just 83 companies globally.

For the first time this year, the judging process involved independent, external partners Verdantix and the Expert Review Panel, who worked together to assess the eligibility and impact of each nominated project against recognised global sustainability criteria.

This year’s cohort of winners impressed the judges with the breadth and scope of their projects, which included pioneering use of hydrogen and engineering-based initiatives to support carbon emission reductions, to the development of new frameworks to support the distribution of private capital, at scale, into transition-related infrastructure across the African continent.

David Metcalfe, CEO, Verdantix, said: “We are privileged to work with the Sustainable Markets Initiative, contributing our expertise in independent evaluation to the judging process. We take great pride in being an integral part of this esteemed global initiative, alongside a distinguished and diverse panel of experts. Together, we are dedicated to acknowledging and applauding the companies who lead the way in demonstrating their commitment to creating a sustainable future.”

The Terra Carta Seal was designed by Sir Jony Ive and his creative team at LoveFrom. The design, with its host of natural references including oak leaves, fern, magnolia and honeybees and intricate patterns both in nature and in the arts, creates a visual celebration which reflects the power of, and reverence for, nature that is at the heart of the Terra Carta.