The Zayed Sustainability Prize announces 33 finalists advancing global sustainability initiatives

33 finalists selected from 5.213 applications in 163 countries

The finalists advocate for impactful climate action and support access to clean energy, water, food and healthcare.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering global award for sustainability and humanitarian commitment, has announced this year's finalists following deliberation by its esteemed jury.

COP28 UAE

The winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize awards ceremony on 1 December during COP28 UAE, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held from 30 November to 12 December.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize jury chose 33 finalists from 5.213 entries received across six categories: health, food, energy, water, climate action and global high schools, an increase in entries of 15% compared to last year. The new “Climate Action” category, introduced to celebrate the UAE Year of Sustainability and to host COP28 UAE, received 3.178 entries.

The finalists, from Brazil, Indonesia, Rwanda and 27 other countries, represent small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits and high schools, and reflect the Award's growing mandate to reward innovations that transcend borders and address pressing global challenges.

Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technologies, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and President-designate of COP28, said the finalists are a testament to remarkable ingenuity and unwavering commitment to shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.

“The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues the indelible legacy of the UAE's visionary leader, Sheikh Zayed, whose commitment to sustainability and humanitarianism continues to inspire us. This legacy remains the guiding light of our nation's aspirations, pushing us forward in our mission to uplift communities around the world. Over the past 15 years, the Prize has been a powerful force for positive change, transforming the lives of more than 378 million people in 151 countries. We have incentivized solutions that are driving climate and economic progress in some of the world's most vulnerable regions.

This cycle we received a record number of applications from all continents. The innovations proposed by the finalists reflect a deep dedication to inclusiveness and an unyielding determination to fill critical gaps. These solutions align directly with the four pillars of the UAE's COP28 agenda: accelerating a just and equitable energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods, and backing it all with maximum inclusiveness. The work of these sustainability pioneers will help create practical solutions for climate progress that protect the planet, improve livelihoods and save lives.”

Objectives Achieved

Thanks to the 106 winners of the Award, to date, 11 million people have had access to drinking water, 54 million homes have had access to a reliable source of energy, 3,5 million people have had access to more nutritious food and over 728.000 people had access to affordable healthcare.

HE Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Prize Jury, said: “As global challenges continue to increase, our new group of Prize finalists reveals the extraordinary efforts being made around the world to respond to the needs of the moment with determination and innovation , inspiring hope for a brighter future. Whether it's restoring ocean wilderness, using technology to ensure better, more sustainable agricultural yields, or driving change for people without access to affordable healthcare, these innovators are transforming our world." .

The finalists in the “Health” category are:

• Alkion BioInnovations is a French SME specializing in the supply of cost-effective and sustainable active ingredients for large-scale pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
• ChildLife Foundation is a NPO in Pakistan that uses an innovative Hub & Spoke healthcare model, connecting emergency rooms as hubs to satellite telemedicine centers.
• doctorSHARE is an Indonesian NPO dedicated to expanding access to healthcare in remote and inaccessible regions using floating hospitals mounted on barges.

“Food” category:

• Gaza Urban & Peri-urban Agricultural Platform is a Palestinian NPO that works to empower women agricultural entrepreneurs in Gaza to achieve food security in their communities.
• Regen Organics is a Kenyan SME specializing in a municipal-scale manufacturing process that produces insect-based proteins for livestock feed and organic fertilizers for horticultural production.
• Semilla Nueva is a Guatemalan NPO specializing in the development of biofortified corn seeds.

The finalists of the c“Energy” category are:

• Husk Power Systems is a US-based SME that deploys AI-enhanced minigrids that provide 24/24 renewable energy to homes, microbusinesses, clinics and schools.
• Ignite Power is a Rwandan SME specializing in providing solar-powered pay-as-you-go solutions to electrify remote communities.
• Koolboks is a French SME providing off-grid solar refrigeration solutions with integrated Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring for remote communities, through a leasing-based sales model.

“Water resources” category:

• ADADK is a Jordanian SME that employs wireless smart sensors that use machine learning and augmented reality for detecting both visible and hidden water leaks.
• Eau et Vie is a French NPO that provides individual taps to the homes of urban residents in poverty, ensuring access to drinking water in deprived areas.
• TransForm is a Danish NPO that uses innovative soil filtration technology to economically treat wastewater, sewage and sludge without using energy or chemicals.

The finalists in the “Climate Action” category are:

• CarbonCure is a Canadian SME specializing in carbon removal technologies. They inject CO₂ into fresh concrete, effectively reducing the carbon footprint and maintaining performance standards.
• Foundation for Amazon Sustainability is a Brazilian non-profit organization dedicated to implementing projects and programs that promote environmental conservation and allow indigenous communities to protect their rights.
• Kelp Blue is a Namibian SME that helps restore ocean wilderness and mitigate excess CO₂ by creating large-scale giant kelp forests in the deep sea.

The finalists of the Global High Schools

presented project-based and student-led sustainability solutions, divided into 6 regions. Regional finalists include:

• The Americas: Colegio De Alto Rendimiento La Libertad (Peru), Liceo Baldomero Lillo Figueroa (Chile) and New Horizons School (Argentina).
• Europe and Central Asia: Northfleet Technology College (UK), Presidential School Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Split International School (Croatia).
• Middle East and North Africa: International School (Morocco), JSS International School (United Arab Emirates) and Obour STEM School (Egypt).
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy (Nigeria), Lighthouse Primary and Secondary School (Mauritius) and USAP Community School (Zimbabwe).
• South Asia: India International Public School (India), KORT Education Complex (Pakistan) and Obhizatrik School (Bangladesh).
• East Asia and the Pacific: Beijing No. 35 High School (China), Swami Vivekananda College (Fiji), and South Hill School, Inc. (Philippines).

In the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, each winner will receive $600.000. Each of the six winning global high schools receives up to $100.000.

Zayed Sustainability Prize

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Award aims to promote sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognizing and rewarding organizations and high schools that offer innovative sustainable solutions in the Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools categories. With its 106 winners, the Prize has had a positive impact on the lives of more than 378 million people in 151 countries.

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