subject: The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy [print this page] The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy
These awards celebrate those individuals and institutions who have sought to enhance the awareness and application of sustainable energy solutions. They prize innovation, dedication, and pioneering examples of green living. In the past the award winners and nominees have included community projects, small enterprises, schools, and local councils.
With the shared commitment to a radical change to the world's collective lifestyle, those involved seek to offer alternative means of energy provision which simultaneously improves the state of the planet, as well as the lives of many around the globe. The Ashden awards not only celebrate the work of UK based projects, but also develop the work carried out in developing countries such as Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Bangladesh.
Sustainable energy solutions can be life-changing for those living in poverty stricken areas. The provision of clean and reliable energy sources such as bio-energy, wind, and solar power, reduces the demand for wood as fuel, thus decreases the levels of deforestation which has a massively detrimental effect on the surrounding ecosystem.
This year's winners included a group whose development in the provision of biogas as an alternative fuel source, has the capacity to protect the disappearing forests of Kenya. The biogas fuel will provide a cheap and safe alternative means of cooking amongst rural communities.
The Gold Award winner in the International category went to D Light Design of India for their manufacturing and promotion of solar lanterns throughout the country. These lanterns are offered as an alternative to kerosene lighting, which has a damaging impact on health and the environment.
In the UK, this major award was granted to the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust. Their community project which resulted in their carbon emissions being halved via the production of 90% of the island's electricity coming from sustainable sources.
Also amongst the prizewinners in Britain was St Columb's Minor School in Cornwall, which has previously achieved Eco-School status as well as being awarded the Green Flag, a celebration of excellence in the field of environmental activity.
St Columb's received the award for their dedication and drive towards the increased use of renewable energy sources. The pupils made eco pledges in class, whilst generating energy via the installation of a small wind turbine, as well as solar photovoltaic panels on the school roof.
Following the success of the various groups at the awards ceremony, the winners are provided with extra business and organisational support to further enable their development and increase their effectiveness in the field of sustainable energy.
In addition to bringing the winners together, thus creating contacts within the industry, the awards team holds a variety of events in order to share the experience and knowledge of those involved with the wider public, as well as producing various promotional films detailing the work of the award winners in order to share their achievements and raise their profile.
