Photograph: Harry Borden for the Observer

This week the 8th and annual Observer Ethical Awards were held to celebrate environmental, social and ethical activists and pioneers. The nominees and winners include the people, organisations and campaigners making a difference and doing something that stands out in the way of ethical thinking.

Taken from The Observer’s site (and in association with Ecover), here are the winners of this year’s awards – while I haven’t described what each winner is all about, I’ve included links to relevant sites so you can check out more info if you wish…

National Campaigner of the Year – Joanna Lumley – The Gurkha Justice Campaign and Marks and Spencer’s Shwopping

International Campaigner of the Year – Afghanistan student Malala Yousafzai

Well Dressed – Rosalind Jana blogger of Clothes, Cameras and Coffee

Lifetime Achievement Award – Comedian and founder of Comic Releif Lenny Henry

Big Idea – Loowatt

Travel – Unseen Tours (this is my personal favourite! Walking tours of London led by homeless/formerly homeless people who receive a majority share of the income)

Ecover Young Green Champions – students at Queen Elizabeth II High School

Unsung Local Hero – Francis McCrickard

Retailer of the Year – Organic food delivery service Riverford Farms

Arts and Culture – film, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Products and Services – medical supplies ColaLife

Business Initiative – Virgin Atlantic for developing an alternative fuel source for aviation

Read more on The Observer’s dedicated Ethical Awards page.