HOW IT WORKS
What began as a
$1.5 milllion prize for a single winner 10 years ago has grown into the world’s richest environmental honour:
$4 million worth of awards recognising individuals and institutions
The Zayed Future Energy Prize began as a single award of $1.5 million (Dh5.51m), with $350,000 for runners-up, to recognise achievements in renewable energy. After three years, Abu Dhabi upped the ante to $4m, increasing the number of categories to reflect the diversity of innovation in sustainability around the world.
Managed by Masdar for Abu Dhabi’s Government, the winners are chosen by a jury chaired by Iceland’s former president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson.
For all categories, nominees are considered according to four criteria: impact, leadership, innovation and long-term vision.
Lifetime Achievement goes to an individual with an “outstanding record of achievement in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors”.
Non-Profit Organisation, or Non-Governmental Organisation, is for any group that has had a social impact on communities through renewable energy technologies.
The Small & Medium Enterprise category is for businesses with demonstrated achievements and annual revenues of less than $100m; the Large Corporation category is for businesses with revenues above $100m.
The Global High Schools category is for a proposed project rather than a demonstrated achievement, going to one school in each of five regions.
It is open to all high schools with students between the ages of 11 and 19, with the support of the school’s administration.
The funding from the prize, up to $100,000, must cover at least 80 per cent of the cost of the project, which should have an educational component, be operational within one year and benefit the school community for several years.
Finalists are announced months before they’re invited to attend the awards ceremony in January, where the winners are announced.
The 2018 winners will be announced today at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which runs in the capital until January 20.
For more information, including how to apply, go to zayedfuturenergyprize.com