Future energy prize initiated

The government of Abu Dhabi has announced the Zayed Future Energy Prize, designed to award individuals and organisations for their excellence in the innovation, development and implementation of sustainable energy solutions.

It awards US$2.2 million annually to three individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions in the global response to the future of energy. The award is named after UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who fostered the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Finalists and winners will be chosen by a jury composed of the world’s leading experts in future energy and the mitigation of climate change. The jury will be chaired by Dr R K Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their its to raise public awareness about climate change while establishing measures to counter that change.

The criteria for the prize and the process for nominations will be developed by the jury. More details on the nomination process and jury composition will come with the April 2008 call for nominations.

Projects and innovations in one or more of the following fields are eligible for nomination:

• Renewable and sustainable energy
• Efficient use of traditional sources of energy
• Conservation
• Sustainable energy policy
• Communication and public awareness

The winner of the prize will receive $1.5 million; two additional finalists will be awarded $350,000 to take their ideas and ambitions forward.