Winning Photos
Overall Winner
Other Photo Finalists
Submit up to five photos
A panel of judges will review them
A winner will be announced
Winning photos will be used as part of a national campaign
FAQ
We are looking for photos that tell a story related to climate change: these could be about the use of green technology, how local communities are adapting, Canada’s extraordinary biodiversity or the impact in your community. These are just some ideas; we will not stunt artistic expression by being too prescriptive about what these photos should portray. – be creative. These can be recently taken photos or ones you took in the more distant past; the key condition is they must be yours.
It is an opportunity to have your images recognised by an esteemed panel of judges and be part of the movement to raise awareness of climate change and our efforts to tackle it. All winning images and the artists behind them will receive extensive promotion through the activities and platforms of the British High Commission in Canada – and potentially internationally. This will include: being part of a Canada-wide media and digital marketing campaign; inclusion within a limited edition photobook and other promotional material; and, being part of a bespoke photography exhibition.
You are invited to submit between one and five images (which must be your own) along with a summary of what the images portray and how they fit with the theme.
The competition is open to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. We encourage you to respect health restrictions, avoid unnecessary travel beyond your immediate community.
The photographer retains the rights to their photographs. However, by submitting a photo, you grant the British Government a royalty-free, world-wide, irrevocable, non-exclusive license for five years to use, modify, publish, display, distribute, and reproduce the photo. You warrant that you own the copyright of the photo and it has not been purchased or acquired by a third party. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit.
COMPETITION DETAILS
The British High Commission in Canada is looking to commission a series of photographs from across Canada that focus on what climate change looks like to individuals in their community.
The winning photos will be used as part of a campaign by the UK Government that show how climate change is an urgent issue that is affecting communities across Canada and the world today.
HOW IT WORKS
Photographers are invited to submit up to 5 of their own images that provide a personal account of how they view the current climate crisis in their region. The winning photos will be used as part of a campaign by the UK Government that demonstrate how climate change is an urgent issue that is affecting communities across Canada and the world today.
Applicants are asked to submit photos no later than:
WHY WE'RE DOING THIS?
In November 2021, the UK will be hosting the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) under the UN FrameworkConvention on Climate Change in Glasgow. This, alongside our presidency of the G7, is the top priority for theUK Government.
Climate change is the biggest threat to our world. It is a threat to our collective security and the security of our nations.We want people to be aware that it is happening now, and that it affects every one of us. To learn more about the link between climate change and our security, you can read more about it here.
Our aim for this campaign is draw attention to the realities of the climate crisis in our everyday life. These photos are a call to action, and we hope they will inspire people to create conversations around this important issue. The photos will also be used to demonstrate what the UK Government is doing in its fight against climate change, as well as our key priorities and objectives for the upcoming COP26 Conference in Glasgow.
OUR ESTEEMED PANEL OF JUDGES
The winning images will be selected by our esteemed panel of judges. Click through the tabs to read more.
Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque
British High Commissioner to Canada
Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque has been Britain’s High Commissioner to Canada since August 2017. Her 30 year diplomatic career has taken her to three continents, and exposed her to issues from the EU, to nuclear non-proliferation, anti-narcotics work and the corporate challenge of the Foreign Service’s HR policies. She has lived through a coup in Venezuela, and the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote in her last post as Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN organisations in Vienna. A career highlight was taking part in the negotiations which led to the JCPOA nuclear deal with Iran. Susan speaks French, German and Spanish and is married to Stéphane a former journalist and teacher. They have two grown-up sons.
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Government of Canada
The Honourable Catherine McKenna has been the Canadian Government’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities since November 2019. Minister McKenna previously served as the Minister of Environment and Climate Change within the Government of Canada between November 2015 and November 2019. She was elected as the first female Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa Centre in 2015.
Jean Lemire
Envoy for Climate change, Northern and Arctic Affairs, Government of Québec
A biologist by training and renowned science communicator, Jean Lemire has conducted work on climate change and biodiversity that has led to major scientific missions.
In 2001, he converted a large oceanographic schooner into a scientific research platform and production studio that took him across the world’s oceans to raise awareness about key environmental issues. In 2012, following missions to the Arctic (2002) and Antarctica (2005-2006), he and his crew, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, began the 1000 Days for the Planet series, involving a three-year world expedition to examine the state of the planet’s biodiversity.In association with the Sedna Foundation, he has also designed many instructional programs that have become references over the years in the field of education. Jean Lemire was appointed Envoy for Climate change, Northern and Arctic Affairs by the Government of Québec in September 2017, thus becoming the first envoy in the history of Québec diplomacy.
Cristina Mittermeier
Photographer, biologist, author and founder of the International League of Conservation Photographers
Cristina Mittermeier is the marine biologist and activist who pioneered the concept and field of conservation photography. Mittermeier founded the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) in 2005 to provide a platform for photographers working on environmental issues. In 2014, Mittermeier co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the ocean. SeaLegacy harnesses the power Jeaof communications technology to educate and inform the world about the incredible beauty of the ocean, and all of the challenges that it faces in the wake of the climate crisis. In 2020, on the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, Mittermeier announced the most ambitious project of her career: Only One, a new digital technology product that amplifies stories, campaigns, and solutions that sit at the intersection of ocean health and social justice, and uses the power of media and technology to inspire individuals to take action to rebuild ocean life. Mittermeier is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2018. She is also the recipient of many awards, including the Mission Award from the North American Nature Photography Association, the Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the Year Award, and the Imaging Award for Photographers Who Give Back.
PHOTO USAGE
The UK Government will reserve the right to use the photos as part of a communications campaign highlighting the effects of climate change in Canada and around the world.
They will form part of a social media campaign, and potentially be used for branding on Foreign and Commonwealth office buildings around the world.
Winners will be asked to sign a UK Government release form to acquire rights to use and distribute the photos.
