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| {{TOCright}}The '''Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy''' are annual awards given by a charity of the same name that is based in London. They reward local [[renewable energy|sustainable energy]] projects in the UK and developing countries that protect the environment, and improve quality of life. | | {{TOCright}} The '''Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy''' are annual awards given by a charity of the same name that is based in London. They reward local sustainable energy projects in the [[UK]] and [[developing countries]] that protect the environment, and improve [[quality of life]]. |
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| Sarah Butler-Sloss created the awards in 2001, from the Ashden Trust, one of the Sainsbury family|Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. | | Sarah Butler-Sloss created the awards in 2001, from the Ashden Trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. |
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| ==About the Ashden Awards== | | ==About the Ashden Awards== |
| The Ashden Awards rewards and promotes excellent local [[renewable energy|sustainable energy]] solutions in the UK and the developing world. By rewarding the best, they aim to raise awareness of the huge potential of local sustainable energy to both tackle [[climate change]] and improve the quality of people's lives. They aim to encourage its wider take-up across the world. | | The Ashden Awards rewards and promotes local sustainable energy solutions in the UK and the developing world. Through the awards, they aim to raise awareness of the huge potential of local sustainable energy to both tackle [[climate change]] and improve the quality of people's lives. They aim to encourage its wider take-up across the world. |
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| ==How the Awards make a difference== | | ==How the Awards make a difference== |
| ''The Awards help transform the prospects of [[renewable energy|sustainable energy]] in several ways: | | ''The Awards help transform the prospects of sustainable energy in several ways: |
| * By giving substantial cash prizes, they help winners take their work forward. | | * By giving cash prizes, they help winners take their work forward. |
| * By actively promoting the winners and publicising their work through a worldwide media campaign, they aim to inspire others to follow their example. | | * By actively promoting the winners and publicising their work through a worldwide media campaign, they aim to inspire others to follow their example. |
| * By bringing winners together with key decision-makers and opinion-formers, they aim to change thinking and policy among governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alike. | | * By bringing winners together with key decision-makers and opinion-formers, they aim to change thinking and policy among governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alike. |
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| ==The UK Awards== | | ==The UK Awards== |
| In 2007, the Ashden Awards is offering awards for the UK in the following categories: | | In 2009, the Ashden Awards will be giving awards for the UK in the following categories: |
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| * Renewable energy
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| * Energy efficiency
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| * Energy business | | * Energy business |
| | * Local Authority |
| | * Charity |
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| There will be three first prizes of up to £30,000 each, and three second prizes of up to £10,000 each. | | There are three first prizes of £30,000 each, and three second prizes of £15,000 each. |
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| ===Renewable Energy Award=== | | ===Energy Business Award=== |
| | | This award is for businesses which have made local [[renewable energy]] and [[energy efficiency]] products and services more accessible. We are particularly interested in enterprises which have opened up new opportunities. Previous winners like [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/kensa08 Kensa] (2008), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/dulas08 Dulas] (2008), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ecotricity Ecotricity] (2007), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/solarcentury Solarcentury] (2007), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/goodenergy Good Energy] (2006) and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/secondnature Second Nature] (2005) have shown the type of entrepreneurial achievement which this Award recognises. |
| This award is for organisations such as NGOs, non-profit groups, commercial organisations, Local Authorities and Energy Agencies that have carried out projects or programmes to increase the supply of renewable electricity and/or heat at a local level. Supply can be from renewable sources such as [[biomass]], [[wind power]], [[microhydro|micro-hydro]], [[solar|solar power]] or ground source heat pumps. We assume that any scheme involving [[renewable energy]] will also have incorporated appropriate energy conservation measures. Some past award winners relevant to this category include [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_barnsley_biomass Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council] (2006), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cgt Moel Moelegan wind farm] (2003), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ssh South Somerset Hydropower Group] (2005) and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_kirklees_suncities Kirklees Borough Council] (2006). | |
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| ===Energy Efficiency Award===
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| This award is for organisations such as NGOs, non-profit groups, commercial organisations, Local Authorities and Energy Agencies which have carried out projects or programmes to increase the efficiency of energy use, or reduce demand, at a local level. Organisations such as [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cep Community Energy Plus] (2005), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_swea_warm_well Severn Wye Energy Agency] (2006) and the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_eac_cavity_walls Energy Audit Company] (2006) won Ashden Awards for programmes which reached very large numbers of households with insulation and other domestic efficiency measures. We are also interested in programmes which have reduced demand through strategies like smart metering and behavioural change, or building developments demonstrating significant demand reduction. | | ===Local Authority Award=== |
| | This award is for Local Authorities which have undertaken effective initiatives and programmes to improve [[energy efficiency]] and/or increase the supply of local [[renewable energy]] (heat and electricity), and also promoted the wider use of sustainable energy through local planning and policies. Previous winners like [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/leeds08 Leeds City Council] (2008), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/arun08 Arun District Council] (2008), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ncc Nottinghamshire CC] (2007), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/barnsley Barnsley MBC] (2006) and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/mbc Kirklees MBC] (2006) show the type of programme which this Award recognises. |
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| ===Energy Business Award=== | | ===Charity Award=== |
| | | This award is for not-for-profit groups such as Energy Agencies and charities, which have carried out projects or programmes to reduce energy demand and/or increase the supply of [[renewable energy]] (heat and electricity), at a local level. Previous winners like [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/global_action_plan08 Global Action Plan] (2008), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/energy_agency08 The Energy Agency] (2008), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/enworks ENWORKS] (2007), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/warmandwell Severn Wye Energy Agency](2006) and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cep Community Energy Plus] (2005) are relevant to this category. |
| This new award is for successful businesses which have used innovative ways of making local [[renewable energy]] and/or [[energy efficiency]] products and services more accessible to the public. We are particularly interested in enterprises which have opened up new opportunities, such as bringing to the market new technologies (the technologies need to have a proven track record, having been on the market for at least a year), or using new financial mechanisms for making the technologies more affordable or delivering other mechanisms for making the technologies easily accessible. Previous winners such as [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/swift Renewable Devices] (2005), [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/secondnature Second Nature] (2005) and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_good_energy_homegen Good Energy] (2006) have shown the type of entrepreneurial drive which we would like this award to recognise. | |
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| ==The UK Schools Award== | | ==The UK Schools Award== |
| The Ashden Awards offers a special award for Sustainable Energy in Schools. This carries a first prize of £15,000, and a second prize of £5,000. It is open to individual schools which have succeeded in making [[renewable energy|sustainable energy]] a key part of the practice and culture of the school as a whole.
| | This Award is open to any UK school, providing education for pupils aged between 5 and 16, which has developed both an ethos and practice of [[sustainability]], in which the responsible use of [[energy]] is a key component. The Award carries a first prize of £15,000 and two second prizes of £7,500. |
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| This Award was made for the first time in 2006 in recognition of the crucial role which schools play in both promoting the need for [[renewable energy|sustainable energy]] and demonstrating its practical effectiveness. The Schools Award is open to any UK school (providing education for pupils aged between 5 and 16) that has created a sustainability ethos in which the responsible use and generation of energy is a key component. The joint winners in 2006 were [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_eastchurch_school Cassop Primary School], County Durham and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_UK_eastchurch_school Eastchurch Primary School], Isle of Sheppey, Kent.
| | The 2008 winners were [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ringmer08 Ringmer Community College, East Sussex] and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/sandhills08 Sandhills Primary School, Oxford]. |
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| ==The International Awards== | | ==The International Awards== |
| '''The International Awards are designed for schemes in the developing world.'''
| | In 2009 there will be up to seven International awards of £20,000 each, and one Ashden Energy Champion Award of £40,000 for the work which most impresses the judging panel. All awards bring a package of benefits in addition to the prize money, including a short documentary film of the award-winning work, publicity, and longer-term development support. |
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| Award winners use local [[renewable energy]] to reduce poverty, improve people’s health, wellbeing and economic prospects, and at the same time tackle [[climate change]] and other environmental threats, notably deforestation.
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| There are five international awards in total, each with a first prize of £30,000 and a second prize of £10,000.
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| Prizes will be awarded for schemes which address at least one of the following areas:
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| | Awards are given for the service to communities provided by the use of sustainable energy, rather than for the technology used. In 2009, awards will highlight the particular achievements of each winner, rather than be offered in specific categories, with the main areas of interest being: |
| * Food security | | * Food security |
| * Health and welfare | | * Health, education and welfare |
| * Light | | * Light and power for homes and businesses |
| * Education
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| * Enterprise | | * Enterprise |
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| One of the five awards will take the form of a Special African Award, reserved specifically for an outstanding scheme from that continent.
| | '''Food security''' |
| | | [[Renewable energy]] can be used in any part of the food supply chain, from growing, processing, storage and cooking, through to marketing and distribution. Relevant past winners include the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/escortsf Escorts Foundation] (Pakistan, 2004) and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/trees Trees, Water and People] (Honduras, 2005) for the development and dissemination of improved fuelwood stoves; [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/biotech Biotech] (India, 2007) for the development of a pre-fabricated [[biogas]] digester for domestic and municipal use; [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/idei IDEI] (India, 2006) for dissemination of affordable pumps to provide water to irrigate food crops. |
| ===Food security===
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| This covers the use of [[renewable energy]] in any part of the food supply chain, from growing, processing, storage and cooking, through to marketing and distribution. Past winners of a Food Security Award include: [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/trees Trees, Water and People] (Honduras) and the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/escortsf Escorts Foundation] (Pakistan), both of which have developed simple cooking [[Improved cook stoves|stoves]] which both saves trees and makes for healthier, less smoky homes and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_india_arti ARTI] (India) who developed a compact [[biogas]] digester for urban use.
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| ===Health and welfare===
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| This covers improvements to health in homes or schools (by reducing smoke from cookstoves, for example), as well as energy for healthcare facilities (including providing [[lighting]], [[Photovoltaic vaccine refrigeration|refrigeration]], sterilisation and communications). Past winners of a Health and Welfare Award include: [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/amisf Engineers without Borders] in Peru, for solar-powered communications systems for remote jungle health centres and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_mexico GIRA] (Mexico) for a programme of improved fuelwood stoves which included detailed research showing the health and environmental benefits of the stoves.
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| ===Light===
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| This refers specifically to the provision of clean, efficient portable lamps or fixed [[lighting]] for homes or community buildings in often poor and remote areas which are not connected to grid power or for whom mains electricity is unreliable or unaffordable. Past winners of an Award for Light include the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/akrsp Aga Khan Rural Support Programme] (Pakistan) for [[microhydro|micro-hydro]] schemes which have brought electric light into thousands of homes in remote villages, [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/nest NEST] (India) for a cheap solar lantern making smoke-free lighting available for some of the poorest families and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_bangladesh Grameen Shakti] (Bangladesh) for installation and finance of solar-home-systems for lighting.
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| ===Education===
| | '''Health, education and welfare''' |
| This is principally concerned with the use of [[renewable energy]] in schools, either to provide light and power, or for cleaner, more sustainable cooking fuel. It can also apply to schemes which help enhance children's chances of enjoying a decent education outside the school, for example via home study. Past winners of an Award for Education include [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/retap RETAP] (Kenya), which combined the introduction of a highly energy efficient cooking [[Improved cook stoves|stove]] for schools with a scheme by which they can grow much of their own fuelwood in the school grounds.
| | [[Renewable energy]] can be used directly in healthcare facilities and schools (including providing light, [[refrigeration]], sterilisation and communications), and provide light for study at home. It can also bring improvements to health in homes or schools (including reducing smoke from stoves, and improving [[sanitation]]). Relevant past winners include [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/retap RETAP] (Kenya, 2001), which combined the introduction of a highly energy efficient cooking stove for schools with a scheme by which they can grow much of their own fuelwood in the school grounds; [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/amisf Engineers without Borders] (Peru, 2003) for solar-powered communications systems for remote jungle health centres; [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/kxn KXN] (Nigeria, 2005) for providing solar-powered vaccine refrigerators in Nigeria; [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/gira GIRA] (Mexico, 2006) for providing low-emission woodstoves and analysing their health benefits; and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/aidfoundation AID Foundation] (Philippines, 2007) for hydraulic ram pumps delivering fresh water to remote villages. |
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| ===Enterprise===
| | '''Light and power for homes and businesses''' |
| This reflects the important role which businesses can play in delivering [[renewable energy]] and encouraging its rapid spread, through viewing it as a business opportunity as well as a social benefit. Past winners of an Award for Enterprise include [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/selco SELCO-India] (India) for building up a thriving business network supplying high-quality solar lighting systems, [http://www.geres.eu/ GERES] ([http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_cambodia Cambodia]) for the rapid introduction of an efficient charcoal [[Improved cook stoves|stove]] through the existing commercial supply chain, and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_india_idei IDEI] (India) for the commercialisation of low-cost treadle pumps for [[Irrigation methods|irrigation]].
| | Renewable electricity can power clean, efficient portable lamps or fixed lighting for homes or community buildings both in areas which are not connected to grid power, and also where mains electricity is unreliable or unaffordable. Small scale renewable electricity can also enable businesses and social services to develop. Relevant past winners include [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/practicalaction Practical Action] (Peru, 2007) for micro-hydro schemes which have brought electricity to homes and businesses in remote villages and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/zara Zara Solar] (Tanzania, 2007) for delivering reliable solar PV systems for lighting and business in areas without access to the electricity grid. |
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| ===Special African Award===
| | '''Enterprise''' |
| This Award was introduced in 2005, in recognition of the particular challenges which [[climate change]] and [[poverty]] play in threatening the future of Africa, and the vital contribution which local [[renewable energy]] can make in tackling both. Past winners are the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/kist05 Kigali Institute of Science and Technology] (Rwanda) for using [[biogas]] systems to improve [[sanitation]] and supply cooking fuel in large institutions, and the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_tanzania Mwanza Rural Housing Programme] (Tanzania) for developing small businesses which produce high-quality bricks fired using agricultural waste.
| | Businesses can play an important role in delivering renewable energy and encouraging its rapid spread. Some past winners are businesses, including [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/selco SELCO-India] (India, 2005) which built up a thriving business network supplying high-quality solar lighting systems, and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/daxu Daxu] (China, 2007) which commercialised an efficient household stove that can burn crop waste for water heating and cooking. The work of other winners has helped small businesses to develop, including [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/mrhp MRHP] (Tanzania, 2006) which trained and supported small brick-making businesses, and [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/idei IDEI] (India, 2006) which developed a supply-chain of small businesses to manufacture, sell and install water pumps. |
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| ==The Awards Ceremony== | | ==The Awards Ceremony== |
| The Ashden Awards hold a high-profile awards ceremony at the [[Royal Geographical Society]] in [[London]] in June, where the finalists present their achievements and receive their awards before an invited audience of politicians, business leaders, and key figures from the environment, development and energy worlds. | | The Ashden Awards hold an awards ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London in June, where the finalists present their achievements and receive their awards before an invited audience of politicians, business leaders, and key figures from the environment, development and energy worlds. |
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| Previous hosts include broadcasters [[John Humphrys]] and [[Jonathan Dimbleby]] and environmental journalist [[Mark Lynas]]. | | Previous hosts include broadcasters Anna Ford, John Humphrys and Jonathan Dimbleby and environmental journalist Mark Lynas. |
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| Guest speakers over the last three years include [[Al Gore]], [[David Attenborough]], [[Hilary Benn]], the UK Secretary of State for International Development, [[Rajendra K. Pachauri|Dr RK Pachauri]], Chair of the UN [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]], [[David Cameron]], leader of the Conservative Party and Lord May of Oxford, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government. | | Guest speakers over the last three years include Sir David King, Wangari Maathai, [[Al Gore]], David Attenborough, Hilary Benn, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, Dr RK Pachauri, Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party and Lord May of Oxford, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government. |
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| After presenting the prizes at the 2007 ceremony [[Al Gore]] commented: | | After presenting the prizes at the 2007 ceremony [[Al Gore]] commented: |
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| The Ashden Awards also holds specialist seminars bringing together Award winners with practitioners, academics, and those who make or influence policy. Examples of recent seminars are: | | The Ashden Awards also holds specialist seminars bringing together Award winners with practitioners, academics, and those who make or influence policy. Examples of recent seminars are: |
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| ===Awards week technical seminar=== | | ===Awards week: Imperial College seminar=== |
| During the 2007 Awards week the Ashden Awards their annual Technical Seminar, where the finalists presented their work to an audience of 150 people, drawn from business, government, NGOs and education. The seminar was hosted by Imperial College, and supported by British Gas. | | During the 2008 Awards week the Ashden Awards held their annual Imperial College seminar, where the finalists presented their work to an audience of 190 people, drawn from business, government, NGOs and education. The seminar was opened by Professor Sir Peter Knight, Principal of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College. |
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| Each presentation started with a short film of the Award-winning work. The winners then summarised their work, focusing on what had made it so successful, and how it could be replicated or developed elsewhere. The seminar was an inspiring summary of a wide range of sustainable energy systems working successfully throughout the world – including biogas in India, gasifying biomass stoves in China, ram-pumps in the Philippines, water mills in Nepal, micro-hydro in Peru, and solar PV in Ghana, Tanzania, India, Bangladesh and Laos PDR. From the UK, finalists spoke about energy efficiency for homes and businesses, the use of wood-fuel for heating, and renewable electricity from wind and solar PV.
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| The technical seminar will be repeated during the 2008 Awards week.
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| ===Wood-fuel for heating===
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| On 29 January 2007 the Ashden Awards held a seminar looking at wood as a heating fuel, hosted by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in association with the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly. This seminar followed one held in London in November 2006 in association with the [http://www.micropower.co.uk/ Micropower Council] and chaired by Baroness Maddock.
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| At each seminar four previous Ashden Awards winners working in this area gave presentations and answered questions from delegates. In addition, at the Barnsley seminar delegates had the opportunity to visit a variety of biomass facilities in the area including a wood-fuel processing and storage depot, a block of flats that had been converted from coal to biomass heating and a new office development using biomass heating.
| | Each presentation started with a short film of the Award-winning work. The winners then summarised their work, focusing on what had made it so successful, and how it could be replicated or developed elsewhere. The seminar was an inspiring summary of a wide range of sustainable energy systems working successfully throughout the world – including efficient stoves burning crop waste in India, sawdust in Tanzania and ethanol produced from waste in Ethiopia; micro-hydro in Brazil; solar drying in Uganda and solar PV in India, Bangladesh and China. From the UK, finalists spoke about energy efficiency for homes and businesses, ground source heat pumps, renewable energy installation and work in schools to promote energy efficiency and renewable generation. |
| * Dick Bradford explained how [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/barnsley Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC)] reduced its CO2 emissions (relative to 1990 levels) by 20% in 2001, and 40% in 2005. This was achieved by converting old coal-fuelled boilers to wood-fuel, and by using wood-fuelled heating in new construction projects. Wood from tree surgery around the borough is being collected and processed into woodchip for council use.
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| * Richard Harvey discussed the options for those wanting to make use of wood-fuelled heating, drawing on his experience with the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ret Rural Energy Trust]. Case studies were used to illustrate the range of wood-fuel heating equipment, covering applications from domestic buildings to farm-scale glasshouses.
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| * Andrew Lamb explained how [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/thamesvalley TV Bioenergy] gathers wood from a variety of sources and processes it into a high-quality fuel. He covered issues of quality control, transport and storage, advising potential wood-fuel users on how they could best avoid any problems.
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| * Andrew Tolfts of [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/bdg BioRegional Development Group] examined the different sources of wood-fuel, including sawmill co-products, tree-surgery arisings, forest management, recycled wood and energy crops. The pros and cons of each source of wood-fuel were explained, including available volumes in rural and urban areas, and suitability for small- and large-scale schemes.
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| ===DFID policy seminar===
| | The seminar will be repeated during the 2009 Awards week. |
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| During the 2006 Awards week the Ashden Awards also held an international policy seminar in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID), for an invited audience of DFID staff and development specialists. Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development, addressed the seminar, stressing the importance of sustainable energy in development, and the value of communicating the achievements of Ashden Award winner.
| | ===Awards Week: International policy seminar=== |
| | The International Policy Seminar was again held in partnership with DFID in 2008. The title ‘Scaling up low-carbon energy’ reflected the growing interest in the impacts of climate change and development. Both DFID staff and senior representatives from other development organisations attended the seminar. |
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| Three of the 2006 winners spoke about the vital services and employment generated by their work. | | Three finalists were selected as speakers, to give a range of technology and geography along with different perspectives on sustainable energy and climate change. [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/grameen08 Dipal Barua (Grameen Shakti, Bangladesh)] described how Technology Centres had been set up in Bangladesh to train women as entrepreneurs to install solar home lighting systems, and had now expanded into efficient stoves and biogas plants. [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/creral08 João Alderi do Prado (CRERAL, Brazil)] explained how his co-operative had been construction mini-hydro systems to supply electricity in rural areas, creating new business opportunities and raising the standard of living. [http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/nile08 Angello Ndyaguma (Fruits of the Nile, Uganda)] described the use of solar fruit dryers in Uganda to convert surplus fruit into a marketable product, lifting families out of [[poverty]]. |
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| * Dipal Barua explained how [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_bangladesh Grameen Shakti] in Bangladesh has enabled over 65,000 households in Bangladesh to purchase photovoltaic solar-electric systems which provide them with high quality lighting, communications, and increased employment opportunities.
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| * Amitabha Sadangi di7scussed the commercial supply chain established by [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_india_idei International Development Enterprises, India], through which over 510,000 farmers had purchased cheap treadle pumps for irrigation. These pumps greatly increase water supply, food production and farm incomes, as well as providing employment for manufacturers, distributors and installers.
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| * Finally Ashililya Nyanda presented the success of the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/technical_summary06_tanzania Mwanza Rural Housing Programme] in Tanzania, which has developed simple brick-firing kilns using crop waste rather than wood as fuel. Around 70 kiln businesses have provided bricks to build over 100,000 durable homes.
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| | Each presentation started with a 5-minute documentary film, followed by a ten-minute presentation by the finalist. |
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| ==How to apply for an Ashden Award== | | ==How to apply for an Ashden Award== |
| To apply for an Award, visit the [http://www.ashdenawards.org/apply Ashden Awards website] and follow the instructions there. | | To apply for an Award, visit the relevant page on the Ashden Awards website and follow the instructions there: |
| | * [http://www.ashdenawards.org/uk_awards UK applications] |
| | * [http://www.ashdenawards.org/school_award UK Schools applications] |
| | * [http://www.ashdenawards.org/int_awards International applications] |
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| ==Winners in 2007== | | ==Ashden Awards resources== |
| | To help achieve its goal of raising awareness of local sustainable energy, the Ashden Awards has developed resources that are freely available from the websites: |
| | *[http://www.ashdenawards.org/case_studies Database of case studies and films on past winners.] |
| | *[http://www.ashdenawards.org/news Media centre, including films, photos and other materials for media use.] |
| | *[http://www.ashdenawards.org/schools Schools resource, including lesson plans, films and teacher notes.] |
| | *[http://www.ashdenawards.org/reports Reports and presentations, such as material from the Imperial College seminar and a research report carried out for DFID.] |
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| | Note that ashdenawards.org website does not give specify that material on their site can be reused under the [[CC-BY-SA]] license. Please limit copying from there to basic facts - or approach them to see if they would be interested in licensing their content under that license. |
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| ! Category
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| ! Country/region
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| ! Organisation
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| ! Project
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| |Outstanding achievement
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| |India
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| |SELCO
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| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Making solar energy affordable yet commercially viable]
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| |Enterprise
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| |China
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| |Daxu Ltd
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| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 New stove designed to burn crop waste transforms the lives of rural users]
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| |Enterprise
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| |Nepal
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| |Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal
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| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Upgraded water mills benefit millers and villagers in the Himalayas]
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| |-
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| |Food Security
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| |India
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| |BIOTECH
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Innovative scheme turns food waste into gas for cooking and electricity]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food Security
| |
| |India
| |
| |SKG Sangha
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Innovation in use of biogas slurry allows rural women to make a profit]
| |
| |-
| |
| |African Award
| |
| |Tanzania
| |
| |Zara Solar Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Solar energy made affordable to the rural poor]
| |
| |-
| |
| |African Award
| |
| |Ghana
| |
| |Deng Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Solar entrepreneurs bring electricity to rural communities]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light and Power
| |
| |Lao PDR
| |
| |Sunlabob Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Solar power electrifies rural villages at a price people can afford]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light and Power
| |
| |Peru
| |
| |[[Practical Action]]
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 The power of water electrifies remote Andean villages]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Education and Welfare
| |
| |Bangladesh
| |
| |Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 Solar powered boats bring education and sustainable energy supplies to some of Bangladesh's poorest communities]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Education and Welfare
| |
| |Philippines
| |
| |AID Foundation
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_2007 New improved ram pump technology brings running water to hillside villages]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Energy
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Wood Energy Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Expanding the supply of high quality wood-fuel boilers throughout the UK]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Energy
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Nottinghamshire County Council
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Using wood for heating in schools]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Cumbria Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Improving the efficiency of housing in Cumbria]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |ENWORKS
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 North West businesses make carbon saving pay]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Business
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Ecotricity
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Local renewable electricity from large wind turbines]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Business
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Solarcentury
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Innovative design brings solar power to more rooftops]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Schools
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Woodheys Primary School
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Whole-school commitment to practical energy saving]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Schools
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Seaton Primary School
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/finalists_UK_2007 Inspiring pupils and supplying sustainable energy with wind and solar systems]
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
|
| ==Winners in 2006== | | ==Ashden Awards Blog== |
| | To allow informal reporting of news and discussion between past winners and others, the Ashden Awards also publishes a [http://ashdenawards.blogspot.com/ blog]. |
|
| |
|
| {| class="wikitable"
| | ==List of winners== |
| |-
| | {{main|List of Ashden Award winners}} |
| ! Category
| | The Ashden Awards have been presented to a number of organisations, including NGOs, businesses, local governments and schools. |
| ! Country/region
| |
| ! Organisation
| |
| ! Project
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |India
| |
| |VK-Nardep
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/vknardep Adding value to the residue from biogas plants]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |India
| |
| |Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/arti06 Compact digester for producing biogas from food waste]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Cambodia
| |
| |[http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupe_%C3%A9nergies_renouvelables,_environnement_et_solidarit%C3%A9s Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarités] ([http://www.geres.eu/ GERES])
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/geres Commercialisation of efficient charcoal stoves in Cambodia]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |India
| |
| |International Development Enterprises, India (IDEI)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/idei Treadle pumps for improved agricultural productivity]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light
| |
| |Bangladesh
| |
| |Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/rahimafrooz Local production of components for solar home systems]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light
| |
| |Bangladesh
| |
| |Grameen Shakti
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/graheem Promotion and microfinance of solar home systems for rural households in Bangladesh]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light
| |
| |Sri Lanka
| |
| |SEEDS
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/seeds Micro-finance provides solar lighting to homes in rural Sri Lanka]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |China
| |
| |Shaanxi Mothers
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/shaanxi Fuel, compost and sanitation from biogas in rural China]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Mexico
| |
| |Grupo Interdisciplinario de Tecnología Rural Apropiada (GIRA)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/gira Clean and efficient cookstoves bringing health benefits in rural Mexico]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Special Africa Award
| |
| |Tanzania
| |
| |Mwanza Rural Housing Programme (MRHP)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/mrhp Using agricultural residues to fire high-quality bricks for low-cost housing]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Special Africa Award
| |
| |Southern Africa
| |
| |Aprovecho Research Centre
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/aprovecho Commercialisation of Rocket Stoves for institutional cooking in Southern Africa]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Good Energy
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/goodenergy Home Generation: rewarding local renewable electricity generators]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/mbc Solar villages in Huddersfield]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Heat
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/barnsley District heating from local tree waste]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Heat
| |
| |UK
| |
| |BioRegional Development Group
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/bdg 'TreeStations': establishing a local supply of wood-chip from waste]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Gloucestershire Warm and Well
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/warmandwell Widespread improvements in energy efficiency and comfort]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Energy Audit Company (EAC)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/eac Cavity wall insulation for all]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Schools
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Eastchurch Primary School
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/eastchurch Good energy housekeeping]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Schools
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Cassop Primary School
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cassop Sustainable energy in schools]
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| ==Winners in 2005==
| |
| {| class="wikitable" | |
| |-
| |
| ! Category
| |
| ! Country/region
| |
| ! Organisation
| |
| ! Project
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Nepal
| |
| |Biogas Sector Partnership
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/bsp Domestic biogas for cooking and sanitation]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Nigeria
| |
| |KXN Nigeria Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/kxn PV-powered vaccine refrigeration for remote villages in north-east Nigeria]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Honduras
| |
| |Trees, Water and People / AHDESA
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/trees Fuel-efficient stoves for rural and urban households]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |India
| |
| |Nishant Bioenergy Consultancy Limited
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/nishant School cookstoves running on crop waste in North India]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |Bangladesh
| |
| |Prokaushali Sangsad Limited (PSL)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/psl Solar co-operative for Bangladeshi women]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |Rwanda
| |
| |Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/kist05 Biogas plants providing sanitation and cooking fuel in Rwanda]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |India
| |
| |SELCO India
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/selco Making a business from solar home systems]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light
| |
| |India
| |
| |Noble Energy Solar Technologies (NEST) Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/nest Affordable solar lanterns to replace kerosene lamps]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light
| |
| |Philippines
| |
| |Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMO)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/sitmo Micro-hydro power for villages in the historic rice terraces of the Philippines]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Champions
| |
| |UK
| |
| |ALIEnergy
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ali Bringing sustainable energy to remote communities on the west coast of Scotland]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Champions
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Centre for Sustainable Energy
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cse Advancing sustainable energy policy and practice for over 25 years]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Community Energy Plus
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cep 'Home Health': bringing energy efficiency to communities in deprived areas of Cornwall]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Second Nature
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/secondnature Developing a high-quality insulation for buildings, made of sheep's wool]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Renewable Devices Swift Turbines
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/swift Building-mounted wind turbines]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |South Somerset Hydropower Group|South Somerset Hydropower Group
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ssh Electricity generation from historic water mills]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Heat
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Thames Valley Bioenergy
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/thamesvalley Establishing a woodfuel economy in the Thames valley]
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| ==Winners in 2004==
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| |-
| |
| ! Category
| |
| ! Country/region
| |
| ! Organisation
| |
| ! Project
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |Pakistan
| |
| |Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/akrsp Micro-hydro power for remote communities in the Hindu Kush, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |India
| |
| |Aurore
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/aurore Solar power for communities, farmers and market traders across India]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |India
| |
| |IT Power (ITPI)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/itpi Upgrading of traditional watermills in the Himalayas to enable the growth of local sustainable milling enterprises]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Pakistan
| |
| |Escorts Foundation
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/escortsf Fuel-efficient stoves for rural women in Pakistan]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Guatemala
| |
| |HELPS International
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/helps Fuel-efficient, safe wood-burning stoves for rural communities in Guatemala]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |India
| |
| |Prakratik Society
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/prakratik Biogas cooking stoves for villages on the fringes of the tiger reserve in Ranthambhore Park]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Light
| |
| |Kenya
| |
| |Intermediate Technology Development Group Kenya (ITDG-EA)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/itdg 'Pico-hydro' power - bringing electricity to rural communities on the slopes of Mount Kenya]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Miles and Gail Fursdon
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/fursdon Micro-hydro power for a Dartmoor farm]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Heat
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Rural Energy Trust (RET)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ret Woodfuel heating systems for schools and public buildings]
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| ==Winners in 2003==
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| |-
| |
| ! Category
| |
| ! Country/region
| |
| ! Organisation
| |
| ! Project
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Peru
| |
| |Asociacion Madrilena de Ingenieria Sin Fronteras
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/amisf Hispanic American health link in the Upper Amazon]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Pakistan
| |
| |Barefoot College
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/barefootcollege Solar energy to meet basic needs in the Himalayas]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Eritrea
| |
| |Energy Research and Training Centre (ERTC)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ertc Fuel efficient stoves for baking injera bread]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Nicaragua
| |
| |Prolena Nicaragua
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/prolena The Pro-Tortilla programme: modernisation of household tortilla businesses in Nicaragua with the 'Ecostove']
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |India
| |
| |Madhya Pradesh Gramin Vikas Mandal
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/mpgvm Solar lamps for street hawkers]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Enterprise
| |
| |Bangladesh
| |
| |West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/wbreda Sagar Island - Solar Island]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Energy Efficiency
| |
| |UK
| |
| |BioRegional Development Group
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/brdg Zed into the Mainstream]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Cwmni Gwynt Teg cooperative
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/cgt Ail Wynt project, Moel Moelogan Wind Farm]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Renewable Electricity
| |
| |UK
| |
| |Sustainable Energy Action Ltd
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/seal Solar for London]
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| ==Winners in 2002==
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| |-
| |
| ! Category
| |
| ! Country/region
| |
| ! Organisation
| |
| ! Project
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Tanzania
| |
| |Adventures in Health, Education and Agricultural Development (AHEAD)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ahead A water testing and solar pasteurisation project for rural communities in Tanzania]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Zambia
| |
| |African College for Community Based Natural Resource Management
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/accbnrm Solar powered electric fencing for securing livelihoods and conserving wildlife resources]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |India
| |
| |Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/arti Converting sugar cane trash into domestic fuel]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Kenya
| |
| |Solar Cookers International
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/sci Expansion of solar cooking programme at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya]
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| ==Winners in 2001==
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| |-
| |
| ! Category
| |
| ! Country/region
| |
| ! Organisation
| |
| ! Project
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Nigeria
| |
| |Centre for Household Energy and the Environment (CEHEEN)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/ceheen Improved cooking stoves for poor families in rural and semi-rural areas of Nigeria]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Food
| |
| |Rwanda
| |
| |Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/kist Popularisation of the 'KIST' improved bread oven, Rwanda]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Health and Welfare
| |
| |Honduras
| |
| |Enersol Associates, Inc.
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/enersol Clean water for health: using solar electricity to deliver clean water in rural Honduras]
| |
| |-
| |
| |Education
| |
| |Kenya
| |
| |Renewable Energy Technology Assistance Programme (RETAP)
| |
| |[http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/retap Integrating energy conservation and fuelwood production in schools to help conserve the forests of Mount Kenya]
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
|
| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| * [[Renewable energy]] | | * [[Renewable energy]] |
| | | * [[Sawdust stove]] |
| | * [[CleanCook ethanol stove]] |
|
| |
|
| ==Interwiki links== | | ==Interwiki links== |
| Line 602: |
Line 126: |
| [[Category:Sustainability]] | | [[Category:Sustainability]] |
| [[Category:Prizes and competitions]] | | [[Category:Prizes and competitions]] |
| | [[Category:Sustainability organizations]] |
| | [[Category:India]] |
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are annual awards given by a charity of the same name that is based in London. They reward local sustainable energy projects in the UK and developing countries that protect the environment, and improve quality of life.
Sarah Butler-Sloss created the awards in 2001, from the Ashden Trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.
About the Ashden Awards
The Ashden Awards rewards and promotes local sustainable energy solutions in the UK and the developing world. Through the awards, they aim to raise awareness of the huge potential of local sustainable energy to both tackle climate change and improve the quality of people's lives. They aim to encourage its wider take-up across the world.
How the Awards make a difference
The Awards help transform the prospects of sustainable energy in several ways:
- By giving cash prizes, they help winners take their work forward.
- By actively promoting the winners and publicising their work through a worldwide media campaign, they aim to inspire others to follow their example.
- By bringing winners together with key decision-makers and opinion-formers, they aim to change thinking and policy among governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alike.
The Ashden Awards also carries out research into the potential of local sustainable energy to meet the world’s energy needs and tackle climate change, and examine ways of overcoming the barriers to its wider adoption.
The UK Awards
In 2009, the Ashden Awards will be giving awards for the UK in the following categories:
- Energy business
- Local Authority
- Charity
There are three first prizes of £30,000 each, and three second prizes of £15,000 each.
Energy Business Award
This award is for businesses which have made local renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services more accessible. We are particularly interested in enterprises which have opened up new opportunities. Previous winners like Kensa (2008), Dulas (2008), Ecotricity (2007), Solarcentury (2007), Good Energy (2006) and Second Nature (2005) have shown the type of entrepreneurial achievement which this Award recognises.
Local Authority Award
This award is for Local Authorities which have undertaken effective initiatives and programmes to improve energy efficiency and/or increase the supply of local renewable energy (heat and electricity), and also promoted the wider use of sustainable energy through local planning and policies. Previous winners like Leeds City Council (2008), Arun District Council (2008), Nottinghamshire CC (2007), Barnsley MBC (2006) and Kirklees MBC (2006) show the type of programme which this Award recognises.
Charity Award
This award is for not-for-profit groups such as Energy Agencies and charities, which have carried out projects or programmes to reduce energy demand and/or increase the supply of renewable energy (heat and electricity), at a local level. Previous winners like Global Action Plan (2008), The Energy Agency (2008), ENWORKS (2007), Severn Wye Energy Agency(2006) and Community Energy Plus (2005) are relevant to this category.
The UK Schools Award
This Award is open to any UK school, providing education for pupils aged between 5 and 16, which has developed both an ethos and practice of sustainability, in which the responsible use of energy is a key component. The Award carries a first prize of £15,000 and two second prizes of £7,500.
The 2008 winners were Ringmer Community College, East Sussex and Sandhills Primary School, Oxford.
The International Awards
In 2009 there will be up to seven International awards of £20,000 each, and one Ashden Energy Champion Award of £40,000 for the work which most impresses the judging panel. All awards bring a package of benefits in addition to the prize money, including a short documentary film of the award-winning work, publicity, and longer-term development support.
Awards are given for the service to communities provided by the use of sustainable energy, rather than for the technology used. In 2009, awards will highlight the particular achievements of each winner, rather than be offered in specific categories, with the main areas of interest being:
- Food security
- Health, education and welfare
- Light and power for homes and businesses
- Enterprise
Food security
Renewable energy can be used in any part of the food supply chain, from growing, processing, storage and cooking, through to marketing and distribution. Relevant past winners include the Escorts Foundation (Pakistan, 2004) and Trees, Water and People (Honduras, 2005) for the development and dissemination of improved fuelwood stoves; Biotech (India, 2007) for the development of a pre-fabricated biogas digester for domestic and municipal use; IDEI (India, 2006) for dissemination of affordable pumps to provide water to irrigate food crops.
Health, education and welfare
Renewable energy can be used directly in healthcare facilities and schools (including providing light, refrigeration, sterilisation and communications), and provide light for study at home. It can also bring improvements to health in homes or schools (including reducing smoke from stoves, and improving sanitation). Relevant past winners include RETAP (Kenya, 2001), which combined the introduction of a highly energy efficient cooking stove for schools with a scheme by which they can grow much of their own fuelwood in the school grounds; Engineers without Borders (Peru, 2003) for solar-powered communications systems for remote jungle health centres; KXN (Nigeria, 2005) for providing solar-powered vaccine refrigerators in Nigeria; GIRA (Mexico, 2006) for providing low-emission woodstoves and analysing their health benefits; and AID Foundation (Philippines, 2007) for hydraulic ram pumps delivering fresh water to remote villages.
Light and power for homes and businesses
Renewable electricity can power clean, efficient portable lamps or fixed lighting for homes or community buildings both in areas which are not connected to grid power, and also where mains electricity is unreliable or unaffordable. Small scale renewable electricity can also enable businesses and social services to develop. Relevant past winners include Practical Action (Peru, 2007) for micro-hydro schemes which have brought electricity to homes and businesses in remote villages and Zara Solar (Tanzania, 2007) for delivering reliable solar PV systems for lighting and business in areas without access to the electricity grid.
Enterprise
Businesses can play an important role in delivering renewable energy and encouraging its rapid spread. Some past winners are businesses, including SELCO-India (India, 2005) which built up a thriving business network supplying high-quality solar lighting systems, and Daxu (China, 2007) which commercialised an efficient household stove that can burn crop waste for water heating and cooking. The work of other winners has helped small businesses to develop, including MRHP (Tanzania, 2006) which trained and supported small brick-making businesses, and IDEI (India, 2006) which developed a supply-chain of small businesses to manufacture, sell and install water pumps.
The Awards Ceremony
The Ashden Awards hold an awards ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London in June, where the finalists present their achievements and receive their awards before an invited audience of politicians, business leaders, and key figures from the environment, development and energy worlds.
Previous hosts include broadcasters Anna Ford, John Humphrys and Jonathan Dimbleby and environmental journalist Mark Lynas.
Guest speakers over the last three years include Sir David King, Wangari Maathai, Al Gore, David Attenborough, Hilary Benn, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, Dr RK Pachauri, Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party and Lord May of Oxford, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.
After presenting the prizes at the 2007 ceremony Al Gore commented:
"No one can attend an event like the Ashden Awards and fail to be inspired. We must find a path from an unsustainable present to a sustainable future.
What impresses me most about these projects is they truly are becoming the change that is needed in the world.
These Awards tell us how to illuminate this path to a sustainable future together. I hope that we can make it quickly."
Ashden Awards Seminars
The Ashden Awards also holds specialist seminars bringing together Award winners with practitioners, academics, and those who make or influence policy. Examples of recent seminars are:
Awards week: Imperial College seminar
During the 2008 Awards week the Ashden Awards held their annual Imperial College seminar, where the finalists presented their work to an audience of 190 people, drawn from business, government, NGOs and education. The seminar was opened by Professor Sir Peter Knight, Principal of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College.
Each presentation started with a short film of the Award-winning work. The winners then summarised their work, focusing on what had made it so successful, and how it could be replicated or developed elsewhere. The seminar was an inspiring summary of a wide range of sustainable energy systems working successfully throughout the world – including efficient stoves burning crop waste in India, sawdust in Tanzania and ethanol produced from waste in Ethiopia; micro-hydro in Brazil; solar drying in Uganda and solar PV in India, Bangladesh and China. From the UK, finalists spoke about energy efficiency for homes and businesses, ground source heat pumps, renewable energy installation and work in schools to promote energy efficiency and renewable generation.
The seminar will be repeated during the 2009 Awards week.
Awards Week: International policy seminar
The International Policy Seminar was again held in partnership with DFID in 2008. The title ‘Scaling up low-carbon energy’ reflected the growing interest in the impacts of climate change and development. Both DFID staff and senior representatives from other development organisations attended the seminar.
Three finalists were selected as speakers, to give a range of technology and geography along with different perspectives on sustainable energy and climate change. Dipal Barua (Grameen Shakti, Bangladesh) described how Technology Centres had been set up in Bangladesh to train women as entrepreneurs to install solar home lighting systems, and had now expanded into efficient stoves and biogas plants. João Alderi do Prado (CRERAL, Brazil) explained how his co-operative had been construction mini-hydro systems to supply electricity in rural areas, creating new business opportunities and raising the standard of living. Angello Ndyaguma (Fruits of the Nile, Uganda) described the use of solar fruit dryers in Uganda to convert surplus fruit into a marketable product, lifting families out of poverty.
Each presentation started with a 5-minute documentary film, followed by a ten-minute presentation by the finalist.
How to apply for an Ashden Award
To apply for an Award, visit the relevant page on the Ashden Awards website and follow the instructions there:
Ashden Awards resources
To help achieve its goal of raising awareness of local sustainable energy, the Ashden Awards has developed resources that are freely available from the websites:
Note that ashdenawards.org website does not give specify that material on their site can be reused under the CC-BY-SA license. Please limit copying from there to basic facts - or approach them to see if they would be interested in licensing their content under that license.
Ashden Awards Blog
To allow informal reporting of news and discussion between past winners and others, the Ashden Awards also publishes a blog.
List of winners
The Ashden Awards have been presented to a number of organisations, including NGOs, businesses, local governments and schools.
See also
Interwiki links
External links
