The Sustainability First Art and Writing Prizes 2021 focused on the theme 'Together for a Fair Climate Future'. We asked entrants to consider the climate crisis, fairness in society, and how to work together to deliver change. 

We had a fantastic response to these creative competitions. More than 250 artworks were submitted from across a range of disciplines, including painting, sculpture and video and we received more than 60 written entries, covering many different form including poetry, essays and short stories. 2021 was the second year we ran these prizes.

This prize is now closed. The first prize went to Jacob Ashton, for his short story 'Eels and Reeds'.

We asked writers to submit their imaginative visions, creative ideas, and practical steps for societal change, in response to the question: How do we achieve meaningful social changes in the UK to tackle the climate crisis and develop a fairer society?

Last year we created two new prizes as part of the Sustainability First Art and Writing Prizes 2021 called the People's Choice Awards, which involved the public voting for their favourite submissions. Chloe Uden and the Art and Energy Collective won the art prize for the Moths to a Flame project and Janice Ng won the writing prize for her essay ‘How do we achieve meaningful social changes in the UK to tackle the climate crisis and develop a fairer society?’ Both winners received £500.

The prizewinning and shortlisted works for the Sustainability First Art and Writing Prizes 2021 were showcased during a live event, including interviews with judges and highly commended entrants.

The book, 'Together for a Fair Climate Future', synthesises key messages heard from across a diverse programme of UK-focused public outreach work that brought together artists, activists, policymakers, utility companies, community organisers and others to act on the climate crisis and social inequality through events, workshops, and educational outreach.

The book also showcases entries to the Sustainability First Art & Writing Prizes 2021, which helped to creatively reimagine climate challenges and inspire new solutions.