The prize is awarded to a Nordic enterprise, organisation or individual, which has managed in an exemplary way to integrate consideration for nature and the environment into their business or work, or which, in some other way, has made an extraordinary effort for nature and the environment.

Prizewinners selected in three round process

The recipients of the Nature and Environment Prize are selected in a three round process. In the first round organisations and individuals in the Nordic countries are invited to submit proposals for recipients who meet the criteria set up for the current year's special theme. This could be, for example, energy savings, sustainable society or preservation of cultural landscape.

In the next round the candidates for the prize from each Nordic country, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland respectively are nominated. The selection is made by national committees who can propose two candidates from their home country or from the self-governing area in question.

National committees put forward the finalists

The decision on who goes through to the final, round three, and who wins the prize, is made by a Nordic Adjudication Committee made up of 13 people, two from each Nordic country and one from the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland respectively. The members from the countries and self-governing areas of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland, with their respective substitutes, make up the national committee in their country or area.

Decision on prize winner is announced at least two weeks before the award ceremony

The Adjudication Committee must announce its decision on the winner of the prize two weeks at the latest before the prize is awarded. In practice the winner is usually announced in the spring. The prize is awarded as a rule along with the other Nordic prizes in literature,  music and film at a special ceremony during the Nordic Council's Ordinary Session, in the autumn.

Prizegiving at the Session

The Nature and Environment Prize, just as the prizes for literature, music and film, is worth DKK 350,000 (about 47,000 Euro) and is administered by the Secretariat for the Norwegian Delegation to the Nordic Council, located in the Norwegian Parliament Stortinget.

Previous prize winners

Among the previous winners of the Nordic Council Nature and Environment Prize are worth mentioning the well-know Norwegian environmental organisation, Bellona , the Greenland environmental organisation, Inuit Circumpolar Conference , Ålands Agenda 21 office , environmental champion, Bogi Hansen from the Faroe Islands, the City of Albertslund in Denmark, three Nordic banks, and the Scandic hotels.