Eco Wave Power, a Swedish-Israeli wave energy developer, won the public vote for this year’s Global Innovation Award at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Eco Wave Power emerged as winner in the ‘Life Under Water’ category for its innovative wave-to-energy solution that generates clean electricity from ocean and sea waves.
Organized by ‘Globally’ on behalf of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the award aims to attract innovations from around the world to the UAE to support the country in its quest to become a world leader in sustainable development.
The third edition has received a record number of applications – more than 1,200 from 65 countries, according to Eco Wave Power.
A total of 113 applicants from 23 countries have been chosen to proceed to the next round.
The selection criteria comprised the ability of the companies to present a highly innovative solution to a pressing sustainability challenge, their alignment with the sustainability objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, and the applicability of the solutions to the UAE. Six entries have been shortlisted for the main award.
Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi , Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “The UAE is firmly committed to innovation and sustainability. Innovation plays a vital role in delivering on the eight pillars of the UAE Environmental Policy. Therefore, we welcome innovators and entrepreneurs whose creativity and experience can go a long way in advancing the country’s sustainable development, and the Global Innovation Award provides an ideal platform to highlight this approach”.
Stefanie Schachtschabel , Managing Director of Globally, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Eco Wave Power with its market entry into a region truly committed to sustainability. Our goal as a platform is to inspire, educate, and inform our audience about how we can make the transition towards a green economy, and Eco Wave Power provides a truly inspiring example that is applicable worldwide”.
This year, the scope of the award was expanded to include three new categories, each dedicated to a different Sustainable Development Goal – Sustainable Cities (SDG11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12), and Life Below Water (SDG14).