The PRI Awards 2025 celebrated innovation and impact across six main categories — nature, climate, human rights, responsible investment strategy, system stewardship, and communication — alongside three special awards. More than 30 shortlisted entries reflected the rising sophistication and global reach of responsible investment practices.

This year’s updates included a new Communication award, recognising excellence in clear ESG messaging, and an Asset Owner special award, joining existing categories for emerging and private markets.

2025 Award Winners

• Recognition for Excellence – Communication: BNP Paribas Asset Management – “The Ripple Effect” campaign
• Recognition for Action – Human Rights: World Benchmarking Alliance – Ethical AI coalition
• Recognition for Action – Nature: SAIL Investments – Private credit strategy for biodiversity and climate
• Recognition for Action – Climate: MSCI – GeoSpatial Asset Intelligence tool
• Innovation in System Stewardship: People’s Pension – £20bn AUM reallocation & climate stewardship statement
• Innovation in Responsible Investment Strategy: Summa Equity – Impact-driven value creation framework
• Special Award – Emerging Markets: Summit Africa – Impact-driven private equity across Southern Africa
• Special Award – Private Markets: daphni – Clear by Design ESG communication
• Special Award – Asset Owners: Church Commissioners for England – Human rights integration in investment

Voices from the winners

Marianne Huvé-Allard, Head of Brand and Communications at BNP Paribas Asset Management, said the “Ripple Effect” campaign was designed to “educate, engage, and inspire our audience to see investing from a new perspective,” highlighting how the initiative showcased systemic risks and sustainability challenges in an accessible way.

On the human rights front, Jan Rydzak, Digital Transformation Lead at the World Benchmarking Alliance, stressed the urgency of ethical AI, noting: “AI is a defining challenge of our time, with the potential to either entrench exclusion or drive inclusive progress. Through the CIC for Ethical AI, we aim to strengthen accountability and help ensure that technology is developed and deployed in ways that uphold human rights.”

Church Commissioners for England, winner of the special Asset Owner award, framed the recognition as validation of its long-standing rights-based approach. “As well as being a validation of our work, it’s also fantastic to see human rights being recognised alongside issues like climate change,” said Jules Gray, Financial Communications Manager.

Why it matters

The 2025 winners highlight how PRI signatories are tackling systemic challenges — from AI ethics and biodiversity to climate resilience and transparent ESG communication. These initiatives show how responsible investment is not just about capital allocation but about shaping systems, influencing corporate behaviour, and setting higher industry standards.

As PRI notes, the awards spotlight “bold, transparent, and innovative approaches driving real-world outcomes” — a reminder that effective stewardship and impact-driven strategies remain central to the future of sustainable finance.

Explore the full shortlist and case studies here