Sep 29 2006
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are now looking for entries from inspirational and innovative schemes from anywhere in the UK which generate renewable energy, or reduce energy demand, at a local level and scale.
The Ashden Awards are open to schemes within the UK which can boast significant CO2 savings through the provision of renewable energy technologies or energy efficiency measures at the local level. These schemes must be highly replicable to ensure maximum impact in the battle against climate change. Successful applicants must also demonstrate that their scheme is delivering social and economic benefits to the local communities they serve.
The Awards reward achievements that have been operational for at least one year and provide funding for future developments.
In 2007 we will be offering the main UK awards in three categories, with first prizes of up to £30,000 each and second prizes of up to £10,000. The categories are:
Renewable Energy Award for projects or programmes that generate renewable electricity and/or heat at a local level. It can include schemes which feed electricity from a local source into the grid.
Energy Efficiency Award for projects or programmes that have succeeded in increasing the efficiency of energy use, or have reduced demand, at a local level.
Energy Business Award - this NEW award is for successful businesses that are making innovative renewable energy and/or energy efficiency products and services more accessible to the public and are in operation at the local level.
There is also a special award, launched in 2006, for Schools, that are making sustainable energy a key and on-going part of their practice and culture, including improving energy efficiency, utilizing renewable energy within the school premises and involving the pupils in the promotion and use of sustainable energy.
The aim of the Ashden Awards is to promote the widespread use of local, sustainable energy as a tool for tackling the causes of climate change and providing social and economic benefits to communities across the UK. To this end, Ashden Award winners are promoted to the media and practitioners and experts in the field as leading examples of sustainable energy in action at the local level. This is achieved through a successful publicity campaign, the production and dissemination of short films on Award winners work and a series of high level seminars and workshops.
The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London in June 2007.
David Cameron who presented the prizes last year, commented: “One of the most encouraging things about politics today is that people are waking up to the reality of climate change and the urgent need to tackle it. It’s a real privilege to be able to reward people who are making a difference on the ground. The people and projects we are celebrating today are pioneers in a global quest to save us from the consequences of our own actions.”
Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder and Director of the Awards said of last years winners: “They show how using local sustainable energy not only reduces carbon emissions, but can also have significant social and economic benefits. Most importantly, by bringing energy generation and efficiencies to peoples’ homes and schools, these projects are putting people in touch with the energy they use, and hence giving them the power to help tackle climate change. I hope these examples will inspire others to follow”.
Ashden Award winners are also met and congratulated by the Ashden Awards Patron His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, who has a long standing interest in the work of the Awards.