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His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today presented the prestigious 2012 Zayed Future Energy Prize to 3 winners and 2 runners up at the awards ceremony held in Emirates Palace.
His Highness said: "The Zayed Future Energy Prize has become a beacon of light, stimulating thinkers and creators while encouraging the world to accelerate innovation in renewable energy and sustainability. This Prize is a clear manifestation of the vision of the late founding father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - who placed a priority on investing in human capital and the preservation of our natural resources for generations to come." His Highness added: "Encouraging these innovators allows us keep them motivated, and as such, ensures that our communities keep benefiting from their inventions. In light of the challenges facing the world today - be it energy security or safeguarding our natural resources - These innovators offer their concerted efforts. The United Arab Emirates, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Nation - May God protect him, is committed to exerting every effort towards encouraging such ambitious initiatives aimed at improving our collective quality of life." He added: We congratulate the winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, and encourage them all to continue in their efforts towards the creation of innovative solutions - impacting communities around the world. These are the ambassadors of innovation, the ambassadors of our Prize - these are the people who spread hope and aspiration and encourage the next generation of innovators.
We would also like to thank the members of the evaluation committees and the members of the Jury who have vastly contributed towards identifying tonight’s winners and towards helping the Prize become a hub for innovations and innovators from around the world." The Prize total of US$3.5 million was awarded in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) & Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) category to the UK’s Carbon Disclosure Project whilst India’s Orb Energy and Environmental Defence Fund of the US were first and second runners-up respectively in the same category. Dr Ashok Gadgil from the US won the Lifetime Achievement award while French company Schneider Electric received a Recognition Award in the Large Corporations category.
President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland, Chairman of the Prize’s Jury, said: "I am privileged to be a part of this platform and pay tribute to the leadership of Abu Dhabi for not only establishing the Prize but also for its profound message. It is extraordinary that a country such as the United Arab Emirates can come forward in this way; the people of Abu Dhabi should be very proud of this prize." The ceremony which marks the fourth year of the Prize commenced with an inspirational video tribute to the late founding father and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan.
The video tribute was followed by a segment on the global ripple effect generated by the winners of the Prize who exemplify the wide-reaching and influential nature of the Prize itself.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: "It is our founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who 40 years ago, began his journey of instilling in us the importance of building bridges, instigating dialogue and forging friendships around the world and it is our leadership today that continues this vision." Dr Al Jaber attributed the increasing growth of the prize to its agility and ability to adapt to the fast moving dynamic sector, adding "It is the directives given to us by General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of further enhancing the prize to expand our reach that has enabled us to reach innovators from around the globe." He commended the finalists for 2012, adding: "These are people that had the foresight to recognize 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.
All three finalists excelled in demonstrating clear impact through their work in disseminating solutions to further knowledge, creating awareness, as well as developing policies and technologies in renewable energy and sustainability.
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.
Paul Dickinson, Executive Chairman, Carbon Disclosure Project, awarded for its pioneering use of market-based tools to solve environmental issues, from cap and trade approach to acid rain pollution said: "We are delighted and honored to be recognized by the Zayed Future Energy Prize for the work we have done at the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Like the prize itself, CDP is committed to accelerating solutions that will meet the challenges of climate change, energy security and water scarcity. Winning this prize is a huge achievement and will help CDP to more rapidly catalyze change across the global economic system to prevent dangerous climate change, protect our natural resources and create long-term prosperity." Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr Gadgil, who received the prize for his sustainable humanitarian work in Darfur - providing energy efficient cooking stoves known as Berkeley-Darfur stoves, cutting the need for firewood by 55%, said: "Being selected the winner for the Zayed Future Energy Prize is a great honor and tremendous validation of my lifelong passion and efforts for energy innovation and sustainability.
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