Awards that Money Cant Buy with Karen Sutton, Founder Global Good Awards

In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Sutton, founder of the Global Good Awards, for an eye-opening conversation about what really goes on behind the scenes of awards in the sustainability world. 

We get into vanity awards (yes, the ones that “nominate” you and then ask for £3K), why some schemes are all fluff and no substance, and how the Global Good Awards are pushing the bar way higher.

We talk judging transparency, AI-written entries, greenwashing, and whether a plant-based menu really matters. Karen shares how she’s using her awards to drive real change - not just hand out trophies. 

If you’ve ever questioned the point of awards or felt like they were out of reach, this one’s packed with truth, tips, and a few surprises.

Here are the highlights:

Karen Sutton's Background and Career Journey (2:25)

Global Good Awards and Their Impact (5:26)

Trends in Sustainability Awards (7:21)

Challenges and Ethics in Awards (13:14)

Judging Process and Criteria (19:33)

Supporting Entries and Feedback (28:38)

Innovation and Impact in Sustainability Awards (32:42)

Connect with Karen:

Patagonia – We’re all Screwed – Flip the Narrative

Divide and rule - Wikipedia

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