The annual Trellis 30 Under 30 list honors individuals who have made a specific, direct, measurable impact by addressing climate change through their professional roles.
Since 2016, we’ve recognized 300 innovators and trailblazers for accomplishments related to carbon removal, the circular economy, climate tech, ESG communications, finance, industrial decarbonization, low-carbon materials, nature, renewable energy and more.
Take Marlies Michielssen with Amazon, who has identified water replenishment projects to restore hundreds of millions of liters annually in water-stressed regions. Or Mathew Lee at MSCI, a researcher who helps the world’s largest investors answer “why sustainability matters” for their portfolios. And Clausell Stokes, who co-founded the Ceres working group on sustainable and resilient agriculture, which includes the likes of McDonald’s, Nestlé and Keurig Dr Pepper.
Those are just three of the young leaders recognized in 2025.
Now, we’re ready to add our 2026 cohort.
How it works
The Trellis content team evaluates applicants based on their recent contributions as part of their professional employment.
Qualifications:
- Nominees must be 30 years or younger as of Oct. 1, 2026.
- Applications must be received by Sept. 11.
- Nominees must have driven specific, quantifiable impact while working for a company or organization (not while a student).
- The climate work must be recent, having taken place between 2024 and 2026.
- Selections will prioritize corporate climate and sustainability professionals.
Evaluation criteria:
- Leadership exemplified, by influencing specific business outcomes.
- Measurable impact in addressing climate change. Numbers matter. (Examples: Quantified the company’s Scope 3 supply chain emissions, making up 80 percent of its CO2 footprint; Conducted due diligence for ESG investment portfolios with more than $1 billion in assets under management; Closed a $10 million Series A fundraising round for a climate startup.)
The 2026 30 Under 30 class will be announced in October; those selected will be contacted before the end of September.
Submit an application before the Sept. 11 deadline.
