The Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury meets in Abu Dhabi to select the 2015 winners. Pictured from right to left, His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, chairman of Global Marketplace, Abu Dhabi; Adnan Z Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency; His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, and Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize; His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Republic of Iceland, and chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury; Dr. Han Seung-Soo, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, and vice-chair of the Prize Jury; Ratan Tata GBE, Chairman emeritus of Tata Sons; and His Excellency Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Republic of Maldives.
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21 October, 2014 – The Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury has selected the winners of the 2015 awards in the final phase of the four-stage evaluation process. The winners will be announced and honoured at a special awards ceremony on 19 January as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015.
The confidential Jury meeting brings the curtains down on the three-month long evaluation process that began with an assessment of 1,100 entrants to shortlist 31 finalists and eventually name five schools, three organisations and one individual across the categories of Large Corporation, Small and Medium Enterprise, Non-Profit Organisation, Lifetime Achievement, and Global High Schools.
Each stage evaluated the entrants on their impact, innovation, leadership, and long-term vision in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.
Addressing a press conference, His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, president of the Republic of Iceland and chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury, said, “Through the Zayed Future Energy Prize the UAE leadership has sent a profound message to the world - of hope, change and sustainability. The impact of that message is evident in the enhanced quality of submissions we have received for 2015.
“As members of the Prize jury, we champion those who strive to see renewable energy deployed as a solution to economic, social and environmental challenges of the 21st century. In a decade from now, these winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize will be remembered for shaping the renewable future of mankind.” President Grímsson continued.
“The challenge of ensuring growth while promoting sustainable development is a shared responsibility,” said His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, director-general of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. “Governments and private sectors must work together to secure resources, reduce climate risk and create economic opportunity. The Zayed Future Energy Prize supports this global effort by incentivising innovators, companies, students and organisations to tackle complex sustainability issues and create real global impact.
“Over the last six years – and with the support of our wise UAE leadership – participants of the Prize today represent a growing body of pioneers, industry influencers and organisations committed to advancing a sustainable future,” said Dr. Al Jaber. “The impact of the Prize is significant. To date, the prize winners have transformed millions of lives, created specialised jobs, diversified the energy mix and accelerated cutting-edge technologies. We welcome this year’s winners and look forward to their positive impact and contributions to the world.”
In the seventh-year of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, finalists in the Large Corporation category include Enel Green Power, First Solar, IKEA, and Panasonic. Meanwhile, Econation, M-Kopa and SELCO are the finalists in the Small and Medium Enterprise category. Electriciens sans Frontières, Liter of Light, Practical Action, SolarAid, and World Resources Institute have been named as finalists in the Non-Profit Organisation category.
The Global High Schools category is divided into five world regions. Abaarso School of Science and Technology, Alliance Girls High School, and Waterford Kamhlaba are the school finalists from the Africa region. Meanwhile, DGEyC E.S.E.T. Nº 4 El Palomar, Colegio Roosevelt, and Munro Academy are the finalists from the Americas. Amra Bint Abdul Rahman Secondary School for Girls, Royal College, Rishi Valley Education Centre and Addu High School are the institutions that have made the cut from the Asia region. Finalists from the Oceania region include Melbourne Girls School, Lumé Rural Training Center, and Cashmere High School. A single school has been identified as potential winner for the European region.
Five individuals have made the list as finalists in the Lifetime Achievement category.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury includes heads of state, leading energy experts and world-renowned personalities committed to the global effort of accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and sustainability.
Chaired by His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, president of the Republic of Iceland, and Vice-Chaired by Dr. Han Seung-Soo former prime minister of the Republic of Korea, the Jury members include; His Excellency Mohamed Nasheed, former president of the Republic of Maldives; Her Excellency Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, minister of transport of the Republic of South Africa; Adnan Z Amin, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency; His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, chairman of Global Marketplace, Abu Dhabi; Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group; Ratan Tata GBE, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and Kathy Calvin, president and chief executive officer of the UN Foundation.