Gro Harlem Brundtland receives top international award for
renewable energy and sustainability pioneers
Former Prime Minister of Norway, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, yesterday
received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Zayed
Future Energy Prize at an awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Dr.
Brundtland, Deputy Chair of The Elders and Vice Chair of the United
Nations Foundation, was recognised for her lifelong dedication to
furthering the cause of sustainability and her steadfast advocacy of
sustainable development.
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HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (L), HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R), and HE Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico (2nd R), present the Zayed Future Energy Prize Lifetime Achievement award to Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, current Special Envoy with the United Nations, and the Deputy Chair of The Elders (2nd L), during the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit 2016, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). (Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi)(Photo: ME Newswire)
The Zayed Future Energy Prize is the UAE’s international award that
recognises and empowers pioneers in renewable energy and sustainability.
The prize is part of the UAEs vision and commitment to finding solutions
that will meet the challenges of climate change, energy security and the
environment.
The Large Corporation category prize was awarded to Chinese electric
vehicles manufacturer BYD. Tanzanian energy access business
Off.Grid.Electric was the winner in the Small and Medium Enterprise
category, while Indonesian non-profit organisation Kopernik was
announced as the winner in the Non-Profit Organisation category. Joining
them were five schools spanning five regions of the globe, who were the
winners in the Global High Schools category.
In attendance at the awards ceremony were His Highness Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and
Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown
Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed
Forces, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and seven heads of
state.
Accepting the award, Dr. Brundtland said: “I am greatly honoured and
moved to be receiving this prestigious award from the Zayed Future
Energy Prize. The legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is an
inspiration to all who aspire to find solutions to the world’s common
challenges around the sustainable, equitable and secure access to energy
and water.”
From ensuring access to modern energy in rural African villages to
empowering Bangladeshi women with careers as solar technicians, more
than 202 million people around the world have experienced the
sustainable actions of the Zayed Future Energy Prize winners. Through
progressive achievements recognised by the awards, water security is now
a reality for millions of families across Bangladesh, India, Ghana and
the Philippines, renewable energy sources supply electricity to a
population the size of Italy and enough carbon emissions have been
avoided to off-set the price of global deforestation for a year.
His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Republic of
Iceland and Chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury, said: “This has
been another outstanding year for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. This is
made all the more impressive because of the sheer length and breadth of
those that apply to be part of this global community. Those whose
innovations are shaping their community today right through to those
young people who are the next generation of leaders, innovators, and
individuals willing to make a difference to the world around them.”
His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and
Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, commented: “The prize
is empowering ideas and knowledge-exchange that are on the frontline of
ushering in a more sustainable future. It is only through the ability to
recognise and foster these ideas that we are able to support those who
are truly re-shaping communities across the globe. It is this that
ensures the UAE is playing a predominant role in delivering what are
fundamental human rights for all – the right to water, energy and a
sustainable future.”
About the Zayed Future Energy Prize
The Zayed Future Energy Prize was established by the UAE leadership in
2008 in honour of the environmental, social, and economic sustainability
advocated by the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan (God bless his soul). More than 200 million people are
experiencing the sustainable actions of the prize’s 48 winners to date.
The 9th Zayed Future Energy Prize is open for entries. Enter online at www.ZayedFutureEnergyPrize.com
The 2016 Winners
Gro Harlem Brundtland – Winner Lifetime Achievement
BYD – Winner Large Corporation
Off Grid Electric – Winner SME
Kopernik – Winner NPO
Global High Schools category:
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SOS HG Sheikh Secondary School (Somalia) – Winner, Africa
-
Korea Science Academy of KAIST – Winner, Asia
-
Institución Educativa Gabriel Plazas – Winner, the Americas
-
Schuelerforschungszentrum Suedwuerttemberg (Germany) – Winner, Europe
-
Cashmere High School (New Zealand) – Winner, Oceania
*Source: ME
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