The Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world’s pre-eminent award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability, is open for submissions for the 2014 awards. Entries are invited in the categories of large corporation, small and medium enterprise (SME), non-governmental organization (NGO), the individual lifetime achievement and the global high schools category. The closing date for submissions is August 5, 2013.

Launched in 2008, the Prize has gained global recognition and built a strong reputation as an influential award in the renewable energy and sustainability community.

Submissions and nominations have reportedly increased 300 percent over the past five years, with a growing number from Europe following recent successes by organisations from the region. Two of the previous winners of the large corporation award are companies based in Europe, Siemens (2013) and Schneider Electric (2012). In 2013, Okehampton College (UK) won the Global High Schools award for Europe, and the Carbon Disclosure Project (UK) won the award for SMEs and NGOs in 2012. Vestas also won the overall Prize in 2011.

The winners of the Prize are chosen according to a four-stage selection process, including a shortlisting by an independent research and analysis firm and evaluation by the Review committee and Selection committees respectively. In the fourth and final stage, the jury comprising heads of state, leading academics, energy experts and personalities with an interest in sustainability, discuss and select the winners and runners up in each award category. Evaluations and eliminations are made using a scoring matrix based on the Prize’s four main criteria: impact, long-term vision, leadership and innovation.

Winners will be announced on January 20, 2014, at an award ceremony to be held in Abu Dhabi as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.