Barclays Commercial Bank is launching the Green Leaders in Business Awards to recognise businesses developing innovative new solutions to help protect the environment.

The Awards are open to all UK and Irish companies and have three separate categories for firms with a turnover below £1m, between £1m and £20m and above £20m.

"Our business leaders are the people who hold our future in their hands, and we are looking for forward-thinking men and women who are finding innovative ways of doing business to build a new economy that is both realistic and sustainable," said Richard French, Barclays Commercial Bank marketing director.

Companies wishing to enter the awards have until 9 May 2008 to complete and return their applications.

The 10 finalists will be invited to present to an expert judging panel, which includes The Carbon Trust, Bloomberg, the WWF and Tom Burke CBE, who will decide the winners in the three business categories.