Zayed Future Energy Prize 2017 open for submissions

Entries have opened for $US4 million worth of prizes designed to reward innovators in renewable energy and sustainability around the globe, across five categories.

The United Arab Emirates-based Zayed Future Energy Prize, is an annual prize aimed at finding solutions to the challenges of climate change, energy security and the environment.

It rewards innovators in renewable energy and sustainability across five categories including small to medium enterprises, NGOs, high schools and individuals.

As many as five global high schools, for example, can win a prize of $US100,000 each, with one regional award given in each of the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

The Lifetime Achievement Prize – $US500,000 – is awarded to an individual with an outstanding record of achievement in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors. (Another for Greg Hunt, perhaps?)

Each category is evaluated based on four criteria: impact, innovation, leadership and long-term vision.

Past winners include, Chinese battery and EV maker BYD, Indonesian-based NGO Kopernik, and former Norwegian Prime Minister turned UN special envoy, Gro Harlem Brundtland.

“By encouraging innovations at every level of business, from SME to multi-nationals, the prize is ensuring that sustainability, clean energy, and environmental action takes a central position in their business ethos,” a media statement said this week.

“By empowering non-profit organisations, the prize cultivates a growing community of people and business helping to shape the communities of tomorrow.

“By calling for schools to think sustainability and submit a project that they wish to implement, the prize is playing an active role in helping those that will shape the world of tomorrow become involved and engaged in sustainability at a younger age.”

Entries from Australia, New Zealand and the Ocenia region are being managed by Business Outlook and Evaluation. Submissions are accepted online and will close on 27 June 2016. The prize will be presented at an awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi in January, 2017.