According to the newspaper, the awards, now in their second year, “reward those pioneering a sustainable future for the country and provide a unique opportunity to recognise and reward the very best products, innovations and schemes that make living ethically achievable”.

Readers of the Sunday newspaper vote for nominees in nine categories, and later choose the winners of four of the awards: ‘Local/Online Retailer’, ‘Campaigner of the Year’, ‘Supermarket Initiative’ and ‘Politician of the Year’. The remaining five categories are decided by a panel of judges.

Sainsbury’s and its compostable packaging will go up against the Co-op’s fair trade wine and Waitrose’s Waitrose Foundation in the battle of the supermarkets; Guardian columnist and environmental activist George Monbiot will go head to head with Al Gore for the title of best campaigner; and as a prelude to the next general election, soon-to-be Prime Minister Gordon Brown will stand off against wannabe PM David Cameron in the politics category.

“In the past year, the ethical movement has crossed into the mainstream and become a central issue for everyone from politicians to retailers,” writes Observer columnist Lucy Siegle. ”Now, as we launch our second annual awards, celebrity campaigners, environmental experts and you, the reader, can nominate those who have done the most to protect the planet.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 7th June where Global Cool’s web team will be among the ace DJs for the night.

THE NOMINEES

Campaigner of the Year
George Monbiot
Anna Heywood (Sound Impact Awards NUS/Ecologist)
Al Gore

Best On-line Retailer sponsored by The Ecologist
Abel and Cole
Howies
Natural Collection

Best Local Retailer sponsored by The Ecologist
Infinity Foods
Gossypium
Fair Wind

Politician of the Year
Gordon Brown
Caroline Lucas
David Cameron

Best Supermarket Initiative of the Year
The Co-op - Fair trade wine
Waitrose - Waitrose Foundation
Sainsbury’s- For packaging that turns to compost

Categories voted by celebrity judging panel

Invention of the Year
Dynamic Demand London
Bioregional Mini Mill
Solar Hydrogen cell project

The Ecover Award for Young Campaigner of the Year
Sophie Wyness
Ben Mathers
Stratherrick School

The Do-It-Yourself Award
Bridport TLC - Bridport
Jonathan Sear and Paul Speight
Beehive

Fashion Product of the Year sponsored by Jupiter Asset Management Terra Plana
Ciel
The Hemp Trading Company (THTC)
Conservation Project of the Year
Carshalton Lavender
Camley Street
Marine Conservation Society