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Ashden awards solar D.light for India
July 06 2010
World's leading green energy awards announce 2010 winners.
London: Winners of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 2010 were announced at a VIP ceremony in London addressed by Sir David Attenborough.
Five international winners and a Gold Award winner were awarded over £140,000 prize money for their pioneering work in benefitting communities across the globe and saving thousands of tonnes of CO2 through the innovative use of sustainable energy technologies.
Sir David Attenborough said:
"These award-winners are champions at delivering practical ways of protecting our planet and its precious biodiversity through the use of sustainable energy. They are reducing carbon emissions and protecting local eco-systems, while improving the lives of the people they touch. They deserve to be celebrated for their important role in tackling both climate change and poverty. "
Sarah Butler-Sloss, founder and chair of the Ashden Awards said:
"Our 2010 winners are living proof of the significant contribution that local sustainable energy initiatives can make to tackling poverty, lack of access to resources and the threat of climate change. We are delighted that we can highlight the work of these pioneering projects in the hope that decision-makers across the globe will be inspired by what can be achieved through the strategic use of simple, yet innovative technologies"
This year's overall Gold Award winner (£40,000) is D.light Design, India, selected for, in the words of the judges: "its passion and dedication to the cause of ridding the developing world of the health and pollution problems associated with the use of kerosene lighting through the design, manufacture and promotion of durable and affordable solar lanterns in India and across the developing world. The judges were particularly impressed with their highly effective marketing strategy which has put solar lighting within reach of over a million people in 32 countries with significant potential for further expansion."
