Green Business
“All finalists reached that stage because of their ability to demonstrate a considerable impact through their work in raising awareness and developing policies and technologies in renewable energy and sustainability.”
that investing in the future is based on long term vision and the ability to innovate the technologies that the world so urgently needs.” In the SME & NGO category, Carbon Disclosure Project was awarded US$1.5 million, while Orb Energy was named first runner-up with a cash prize of US$1 million and Environmental Defense Fund took away US$500,000 as the second runner-up. Dr Ashok Gadgil, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, received US$500,000 for his pioneering efforts as one of the leading modern inventors in the US for the Darfur stove. Recipient of the Large Corporations award, Schneider Electric, received a recognition award from the Prize. All finalists reached that stage because of their ability to demonstrate a considerable impact through their work in raising awareness and developing policies and technologies in renewable energy and sustainability. The Jury Panel Members of the Jury of the Zayed Future Energy Prize included Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland and Chairman of the Jury; Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar; Cherie Blair, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation, and Timothy Wirth, President of the
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United Nations Foundation and the Better World Fund, to name those present at the awards. The process The stringent year-long, four-stage process starts with nominations that begin in May. In the first stage of the evaluation process, an independent research and analysis firm conducts a detailed examination of each candidate’s application. During the second stage, a Review Committee convenes in October to select 33 candidates across all categories using a scoring matrix. In the third stage of the judging process in November, a Selection Committee comprising leading experts in the field of renewable energy and sustainability evaluates the shortlisted entries. The highest scoring submissions make it to the fourth and final round: three candidates for the Large Corporations category, three candidates for the Lifetime Achievement Award and seven candidates who could win first, second and third prize for the SME & NGO category. Looking ahead The 2013 edition of the awards will feature the newly announced Global High School Prize to inspire a new generation of leaders and innovators.
Dr Ashok Gadgil: The Berkeley-Darfur Stove
Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr Gadgil, received the prize for his sustainable humanitarian work in Darfur, providing “BerkeleyDarfur” energy efficient cooking stoves that cut the need for firewood by 55 per cent. Darfur has become synonymous with conflict and strife, with at least 300,000 people killed and three million forced out of their homes. Dr Gadgil's revolutionary cooking stove eases the daily burden of Darfuri women having to walk up to seven hours three to five times a week for firewood--an inefficient source of fuel for cooking, especially considering the dearth of trees in the outskirts of the war torn state. Gadgil estimates that nearly half of the world’s population turns to inefficient and hard-to-source fuels, referred to as biomass, which both inhibits economic progress and poses a threat to human health. That's how a simple home appliance like the Darfur stove can immensely improve the quality of life of families with limited means. By October 2011, the Darfur Stoves Project had produced more than 20,000 stoves. More than 300,000 stoves are needed in order for every family in Darfur to have a safer, healthier living environment.
Carbon Disclosure Project: Green transparency across industries
Paul Dickinson, Executive Chairman, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), accepted the awarded for their pioneering use of marketbased tools to tackle climate change and protect natural resources. The not-for-profit organisation works with investors, businesses, cities and governments, allowing them to measure, disclose, manage and share environmental information to reduce their energy consumption, carbon emissions and water use. The cornerstone of CDP is transparency, releasing white papers and statistics in conjunction with major industry players on their environmental activity.
Schneider Electric: efficient energy
Schneider’s BipBop programme aims to provide a sustainable solution to 1.6 billion people around the world who have no access to electricity. The BipBop programme - an acronym standing for Business, Investment and People at the Bottom of the Pyramid - addresses three key issues: the lack of necessary equipment, the lack of financial resources for innovative energy entrepreneurs, and the lack of skills and expertise. Some of their implemented solutions include renewable home lighting systems in Indian villages that are capped at an affordable Rs 3 per day per household.
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