Individuals, organisations and schools in the United Arab Emirates have been urged to help transform the lives of millions of people by submitting and nominating entries for the 9th Zayed Future Energy Prize before the closing date on 27 June.

The prize is the UAE’s international awards for pioneers of renewable energy and sustainability.

Submissions are accepted from across the world in three of the five categories: Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and Global High Schools. Nominations are sought for the Large Corporation category and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Leading the call for submissions and nominations, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said, "I invite the UAE’s best minds to honour Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s legacy of environmental stewardship and sustainability by joining the prize’s illustrious community, whose achievements are positively transforming millions of lives across the globe.

She added, "By recognising and rewarding those who have a vision for a better, more sustainable world, the Zayed Future Energy Prize uniquely inspires innovative solutions that are addressing the global challenges of energy security, energy access and sustainable development."

The 8th Zayed Future Energy Prize attracted a record number of entries with 1,437 submissions and nominations from 97 countries. Nine winners collected the prize, at an awards ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, in January this year.

Now, the winners of the 8th awards are calling on UAE based individuals and organisations to submit their own entry or nominate companies and individuals they believe are driving innovation in clean energy and sustainability.

Among those winners is BYD, in the Large Corporation category. Chairman Wang Chaunfu 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."

In the SME category, Off Grid Electric was another winner of the 8th awards. Founder Graham Smith shared his thoughts on how important it was to win the prize: "For a company like Off Grid Electric, the prize is transformative in both the profile it brings and the support it offers - its backing means an immediate impact to the work we do in Africa and it represents a platform upon which we can build and grow."

Kopernik, a NPO, was also a winner in January. Founder Ewa Wojkowska called on others from across the globe to submit their entries: "The Zayed Future Energy Prize is a game-changer for Kopernik. The recognition and the prize-money will enable us to reach many more people than we could have otherwise. This is a one of a kind in this industry and the applications are now open for the 9th cycle of the prize. I encourage other non-profit organisations, no matter where you are in the world, to apply."

In the Global High School category of the prize, schools from across the world are encouraged to submit project proposals that will advance sustainability at their school and the community around it.

Cashmere High School won the Global High Schools category for the Oceania region and student Lily Williams, aged 15, described winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize as a dream come true. "I would encourage other schools to apply for the prize because it's such a great opportunity to make a difference to your community and to contribute to the long-term vision of the UAE for a sustainable energy future," she added.

In eight years, winners and finalists of the Zayed Future Energy Prize have touched the lives of more than 202 million people – enabling modern energy access for 21 million people across Africa and Asia, preventing 887 million tonnes of carbon emissions, providing safe drinking water to seven million people and saving 65 million megawatt hours of electricity through energy saving products and services.

Zayed Future Energy Prize winners are chosen by a jury of influential leaders, voices and advocates committed to the global effort of accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and sustainability. Each category is evaluated on four criteria – impact; innovation; leadership and long-term vision.

Visit the Zayed Future Energy website for more information on how to submit for the 9th awards in the SME, NPO and Global High Schools categories, or to nominate candidates for the Large Corporation and Lifetime Achievement categories: www.ZayedFutureEnergyPrize.com

Source :WAM