Abu Dhabi: A former prime minister, five schools, an Asian non-profit organisation, an off-grid energy provider and a new energy automobile manufacturer were among nine winners of the prestigious Zayed Future Energy Prize this year.
The awardees, selected from 29 finalists, were honoured during the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit in the capital today.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presented the nine winners with the Zayed Future Energy Prize. In attendance were His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and seven heads of state.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed underlined that the UAE will continue to be a leader in driving sustainable innovations across the globe: “At this critical time in the global dialogue around sustainability and clean energy, the UAE has shown farsighted leadership in ensuring innovation plays a central role in addressing the world’s common concerns. Because of this, Abu Dhabi is a focal point for action that carries us along the path of sustainable development. This is a journey that we began under the farsighted vision of our founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose legacy defines the UAE’s past and will continue to define its future.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed added: “Through the Zayed Future Energy Prize, we are recognising the pioneers that dare to push the boundaries of what is achievable through clean energy innovation. These pioneers are the individuals and organisations at the forefront of the transition to a more secure and sustainable world.”
For the 2016 edition of the prize, a record 1,437 entries were received from 97 countries. The $4 million (Dh14.69 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. In the eight years since, the prize has seen unprecedented growth and a total of 8,502 entries submitted.
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Republic of Iceland and 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 the leadership shown by the UAE in this field.”
Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and director-general of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “The prize was established in recognition of the farsighted and persistent belief of our late founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, that sustainability should underpin the future development of the nation. Today, this principle forms the foundation of the prizes’ influence across the globe.”
From ensuring access to modern energy in rural African villages to empowering Bangladeshi women with careers as solar technicians, more than 202 million people around the world have experienced the sustainable actions of the Zayed Future Energy Prize winners. Through progressive achievements recognised by the awards, water security is now a reality for millions of families across Bangladesh, India, Ghana and the Philippines, Renewable energy sources supply electricity to a population the size of Italy and enough carbon emissions have been avoided to offset the price of global deforestation for a year.
In 2012, the Global High Schools category was launched as part of the UAE leadership’s commitment to the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative and educating future generations about sustainability. Now in its fourth year, the prize has empowered 19 schools to incorporate renewable energy and sustainability into their schools and curricula.
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, ex-prime minister of Norway and United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Change, credited with being the main catalyst for the current, global multilateral dialogue on climate change, said on receiving the Lifetime Achievement award: “I will be working on issues that are identical to the vision and legacy of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and will continue to put a lot of emphasis on renewable energies. Because you cannot have sustainable energy without sustainable development,” she said.
—With inputs from WAM
BOX
2016 award winners
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, ex-prime minister of Norway and United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Change.
Global High Schools: Five schools from five regions across the world were awarded the prize. Every winner will get a maximum of $100,000 (Dh367,295) to establish the proposed project.
Africa: SOS HG Shaikh Secondary School in Somalia
Asia: Korea Science Academy of KAIST from South Korea
Americas: Institución Educativa Gabriel Plazas from Colombia
Europe: Germany’s Schuelerforschungszentrum Suedwuerttemberg
Oceana: Cashmere High School, New Zealand
Non-Profit Organisations
Kopernik, a sustainable energy provider in Indonesia, received a grant up to $1.5 million (Dh5.51 million).
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)
Off. Grid. Electric, a solar energy and off-grid electricity provider in Tanzania and Rwanda, received $1.5 million (Dh5.51 million)
Large corporations
BYD China, a major developer of robust rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles, was recognised for its efforts
