Zayed Prize a motivation for innovators

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Tuesday presented the prestigious 2012 Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) to three winners and two runners-up, with a combined value of $3.5 million (Dh12.85 million), at a ceremony at the Emirates Palace.

Shaikh Mohammad said, "This prize is a clear manifestation of the vision of the late founding father of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who placed a priority on investing in human capital and the preservation of our natural resources for generations to come.

"Encouraging these innovators allows us to keep them motivated and as such ensures that our communities keep benefiting from their inventions."

He reiterated that the innovators had offered concerted efforts in light of the challenges facing the world today — be it energy security or safeguarding natural resources.

Extraordinary move

President Olalfur Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland, chairman of the prize's jury, said: "It is extraordinary that a country such as the UAE can come forward in this way; the people of Abu Dhabi should be very proud of this prize.

"The ZFEP has become a landmark, a signpost on our common journey towards a sustainable future to an era when the children of all generations can enjoy the wonders of nature, secure and safe in their homelands."

SME category

The prize total of $3.5 million was awarded to Small and Medium Enterprises and NGOs category to the UK's Carbon Disclosure Project whilst India's Orb Energy, and Environmental Defence Fund of the US were the first and second runners-up respectively in the same category.

Carbon Disclosure Project was awarded $1.5 million and Orb Energy was named first runner-up with a cash prize of $1 million and Environmental Defence Fund took away $500,000 as the second runner-up.

Ashok Gadgil, division director at the University of California, received $500,000 the Lifetime Achievement award for his pioneering efforts as one of the leading modern inventors in the US for the Darfur stove.

French company Schneider Electric received a Recognition Award in the large corporations category.

"Being selected the winner for the ZFEP is a great honour and tremendous validation of my lifelong passion and efforts for energy innovation and sustainability," Gadgil told Gulf News. Jean Pascal Tricoire, President and CEO of Schneider Electric, told Gulf News that the prize will add further responsibilities to his company and team.

"The world is in urgent need of innovative solutions to create a new, renewable energy future," said Tricoire.

Encouragement

Damian Miller, CEO of Orb Energy, said the prize "encourages and acknowledges cutting edge innovators in all communities for further energy and environmental scopes. "We will continue helping people in poor areas by giving them access to safe energy sources at low costs." Eric Pooley, Senior Vice-President of the Environmental Defence Fund said: "We were inspired by the late Shaikh Zayed's words and deeds to save the environment around the world.

"This is a magnificent moment for us. We try to leverage efforts to save the world.

"We are grateful to the late Shaikh Zayed for inspiring many around the world to collaborate and to help save the environment to effect changes faster," said Pooley.

Finalists: roll of honour

Large Corporations

SME and NGO

Lifetime Achievement