The entrants were judged on their "carbon efficiency," a calculation of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to the company's sales/revenue. The FT/Citi Private Bank Awards are the first environmental awards to reward companies for increasing carbon efficiency by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in operations when compared to sales and compared to their peers. Winning companies also had to demonstrate a commitment to transparency by measuring and declaring their targets and reductions.

The judges reviewed carbon efficiency of the entrants relative to their industry sector, both current and historical, and evaluated the way the companies were assessing and preparing for future risks and opportunities that might occur because of climate change. Awards were given for large and small/medium enterprises and for geographic regions. The global and European winner was Switzerland's biotech firm Hoffman la Roche; and the Americas winner was Consolidated Edison. Xerox was one of seven companies featured on the "Judges Final Shortlist."

The judging panel was chaired by Fiona Harvey, environment correspondent of the Financial Times, and included industry experts and observers. They received technical support from environmental research company, Trucost Plc, which provides quantitative research on envi ronmental impacts.