This initiative uses an online system of judging in an effort to engage members of the media and others in an interactive process meant to support, recognise, and stimulate excellent environmental media initiatives. The 5-member panel, selected for each country, has direct access to special instructions and evaluates the entries through a secure BDRA webpage. Organisers claim that this strategy has enabled the organisers to select qualified, veteran environmental journalists and academics located around the world to judge the articles.

The BDRA uses awards and recognition to encourage the coverage of environmental and biodiversity issues, as well as to spur the building of local and international alliances. In keeping with the competition's philosophy that journalists need to be acknowledged through opportunities for professional development, the first-place winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to an international environmental journalist conference. An online gallery shares winners' achievements. Furthermore, the in-country award ceremonies are designed to be high-profile events that publicly highlight not only the work of the journalists, but also the commitment of the media outlets. By inviting key government and private-sector representatives, these ceremonies aim to secure the "buy-in" of editors and publishers. Having used these strategies to give journalists professional incentives to pursue environmental stories, organisers, in turn, take steps to lobby for more space for environmental coverage in their local media.

Environment.