The shortlist for the 2026 Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Achievement Awards (the EMMAs) has been revealed, following a record-breaking year that saw nominations increase by 44% from 2025. The significant growth in entries marks a major achievement for the awards and reflects the increasing importance of environmental monitoring and measurement in delivering better environmental outcomes across the UK.
Recognising excellence across monitoring in air quality, emissions, water, wastewater and, for the first time, geoenvironmental measurement, the 2026 EMMAs will be the largest celebration yet of the organisations, projects and individuals across these critical environmental sectors.
This year's expansion introduces dedicated geoenvironmental categories, bringing together the air, water and land communities under one stellar awards programme. This creates a broader, more representative celebration of the technologies, innovations and collaborations within environmental monitoring and measurement work.
The record number of nominations also reflects the exceptional standard across the industry. Mark Gordon, Event Director of the Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Achievement Awards, said:
"The response to this year's awards has been outstanding. Not only have we received more nominations than ever before, but the quality of entries has been exceptional across every category.
We've had the difficult task of selecting a shortlist from an incredibly strong field, which is a real testament to the innovation, technical excellence and collaboration taking place throughout environmental monitoring and measurement.
We're looking forward to celebrating all of our finalists in September."
The winners will be announced at the EMMA Awards recognition ceremony and gala dinner on 16 September 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, taking place on the opening evening of the Environmental Services & Solutions (ESS) Expo.
Bringing together more than 500 industry professionals, the evening will feature welcome drinks, a gala dinner, live entertainment and the presentation of the 17 EMMA Awards. Held on the evening of day one of WWEM Expo, AQE Expo and CLR Expo, the ceremony has become the key networking event of the week, providing an opportunity for the environmental community to come together and celebrate their successes in style.
The full shortlist is now live, and tables for the EMMA Awards ceremony are available to book. Join us on 16 September as we celebrate this year's finalists and reveal the winners at what promises to be our biggest awards yet.
View the full 2026 shortlist here
Book your table for 2026 here
A limited number of category sponsorship opportunities are also still available, offering you the chance to position your brand alongside excellence in environmental monitoring and measurement, while gaining high-profile exposure throughout one of the industry's most anticipated evenings. Get in touch here!
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About ESS Expo: Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS Expo) is the UK's largest cross-sector environmental event, taking place annually at the NEC Birmingham. ESS Expo 2026 runs 16-17 September and unites seven co-located industry shows spanning resource, waste management, recycling, water management, air quality, sustainable engineering, decarbonisation, land remediation, circular economy, net zero, energy from waste, and geotechnical engineering. Register free at ess-expo.co.uk.
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