Nominations for the 2027 SCAG Sustainability Awards Open
The SCAG Sustainability Awards recognize projects for outstanding contributions to a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous future for Southern California.
The SCAG Sustainability Awards are the leading recognition for achievement in sustainability in Southern California. Award recipients set a standard for excellence across the region, state, and country. SCAG is honored to recognize the best of the best planning programs and projects in Southern California.
SCAG presents eight Sustainability Awards, including six County Sustainability Awards, one for each county of the SCAG region, the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award, and the Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity. Each application for a County Sustainability Award should describe how the project, program, or policy aligns with Connect SoCal goals and objectives and one or more of the four Connect SoCal pillars: mobility, communities, the environment, and the economy. Every nomination is considered for its respective County Sustainability Award, the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award, and the Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity. SCAG will present the 2027 Sustainability Awards at the Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 6, 2027, in Palm Desert.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT on Dec. 18, 2026.
For detailed information on project eligibility and evaluation criteria, see the 2027 Sustainability Awards Guidelines.
Awards Categories
County Sustainability Awards
Each application for a County Sustainability Award should describe how the project, program, or policy aligns with Connect SoCal goals and objectives and one or more of the four Connect SoCal pillars. Possible examples are included in the following pillar descriptions. Applications will be reviewed for how strongly they align with the evaluation criteria, as described in the 2027 Sustainability Awards Guidelines, and do not need to align with multiple pillars to be successful.
Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity
Honors a project, program, plan, policy, or collaboration that advances equity and fosters healthy, livable, sustainable, and economically resilient communities. Efforts may include removing systemic barriers, supporting meaningful community engagement, expanding access to opportunity, improving outcomes for traditionally marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented populations, and advancing environmental and social justice through inclusive and collaborative approaches.
Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that exemplifies holistic sustainability by advancing goals across mobility, communities, environment, economy, and equity. Efforts may include cross-sector collaboration, innovative and integrated solutions, strong partnerships, and exemplary leadership that advances Connect SoCal's vision for a more resilient, inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Southern California. All nominations are automatically considered for this award.