The European Commission announced the European Business Awards for the Environment 2012 nominees which include companies from Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland and the United Kingdom. The winners will be announced at the a ceremony in the framework of the Green Week that will take place on 24 of May 2012.

The 2012 European Business Awards for the Environment count on this occasion with 14 finalists which come from Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland and the United Kingdom. These awards are granted by the European Commission to innovative companies that successfully combine innovation, competitiveness and outstanding environmental performance.

Every two years and with the aim of recognising and rewarding European companies that stimulate economic growth by contributing to innovation and competitiveness, while also protecting the environment, the European Commission announces the European Business Awards. This year's applicants represent a variety of business sectors, ranging from telecommunications to retail, eco-design, transport, food industry and construction. Although a number of large-scale companies and organisations are competing, the majority of companies participating are small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises. The highest number of entries was in the newly introduced "biodiversity" category for companies that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems.

In particular, on this occasion the finalists were selected from 156 submissions, originating from 24 European Member States and candidate countries. According to the Commission, the high number of applications – a 10% increase compared to the 2010 competition – highlights the increasing environmental commitment of European businesses and their willingness to adopt eco-innovative practices, despite the current economic climate.