Zayed future energy prize calls for entries

$4 million prize seeks nominations and submissions before 27 June deadline

Individuals, organisations and schools across Asia that are transforming lives through sustainable actions are being urged to enter the UAE’s international award for pioneers of renewable energy and sustainability, the Zayed Future Energy Prize, online before the 27 June closing date for the 2017 edition.

In three of its five categories, the Zayed Future Energy Prize seeks submissions from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organisations (NPOs) and high schools. In the two remaining categories, the public may nominate any eligible large corporations and leading individuals.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize recognises innovative solutions addressing energy access, energy security and environmental challenges. More than 202 million people have positively experienced the sustainable actions of the prize’s winners to date.

Dr. Han Seung-soo, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Water and Vice-Chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury, said: “This has been another outstanding year for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The record number of submissions is a testament to its growing reach. This is made all the more impressive because of the sheer length and breadth of those that apply to be part of this global community. I would encourage all those innovating in sustainability to enter today.”

Last January, nine winners were presented with the Zayed Future Energy Prize during the eighth awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi. In attendance was United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and seven heads of state.

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said “The Zayed Future Energy Prize recognises and rewards those who have a vision for a better, more sustainable world. In doing so it empowers solutions in sustainability and clean energy that are addressing the world’s most pressing global challenges.”

Former Prime Minister of Norway Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland received the Lifetime Achievement award for her long-term and steadfast commitment to sustainability and sustainable development. Dr. Brundtland is the Vice Chair of the UN Foundation and Deputy Chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

The Large Corporation category prize was awarded to Chinese electric vehicles manufacturer BYD. Tanzanian energy access business Off.Grid.Electric was the winner in the SME category, while Indonesian non-profit organisation Kopernik was announced as the winner in the NPO category. Joining them were five schools spanning five regions of the globe, whom were the winners in the Global High Schools category.

Chairman Wang Chaunfu of BYD said: “The Zayed Future Energy Prize is an important initiative to inspire people and organisations to create solutions for the future of energy generation, storage and usage, as well as tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development in the energy sector at a global level.”

The five winners in the Global High Schools category are ‘SOS HG Sheikh Secondary School’ in Somalia, Africa; ‘Korea Science Academy of KAIST’ from South Korea, Asia; Institución Educativa Gabriel Plazas from Colombia, representing the Americas region; Germany’s ‘SFZ South-Wuerttemberg’ in Europe and ‘Cashmere High School,’ New Zealand for the Oceania region.

For the latest edition of the prize, a record 1,437 entries were received from 97 countries. The US$4 million prize that empowers and rewards innovators in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability has now recognised 48 pioneers since its inception in 2008. There have been a combined total of more than 8,500 nominations and submissions from around 100 countries worldwide over that period and average year-on-year growth is close to 40 per cent for each year of the prize’s lifetime.

Each year, the prize evaluates entries in each category based on their impact, innovation, leadership and long-term vision. It is at the end of this stringent evaluation process that the members of the Jury decide upon the winners.

Visit the Zayed Future Energy Prize website at www.ZayedFutureEnergyPrize.com, for more information on how to submit entries for the 2017 awards in the SME, NPO and Global High Schools categories, or to nominate companies and leading individuals in the Large Corporation and Lifetime Achievement Award categories.

About the Zayed Future Energy Prize

The Zayed Future Energy Prize was established by the UAE leadership in 2008 in honour of the environmental, social, and economic sustainability advocated by the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. More than 200 million people are experiencing the sustainable actions of the prize’s 48 winners to date. The 9th Zayed Future Energy Prize is open for entries. Enter online at www.zayedfutureenergyPrize.com

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