2021 Ashden Awards To Tackle Global Climate Challenges

Entries for the 2021 Ashden Awards have opened – with international categories promoting innovation in energy access, natural climate solutions and sustainable cooling for low-income neighbourhoods.

The Ashden awards highlight outstanding climate innovations, boosting bright ideas that can be scaled up or replicated around the world.

Award categories relevant to applicants in Asia include the Ashden award for Energy Access Innovation, the Ashden Award for Humanitarian Energy, the Ashden Award for Cooling in Informal Settlements and the Ashden Award for Natural Climate Solutions which will highlight reforestation projects in the South East Asian rainforests specifically.

CEO Harriet Lamb said: “This year we are awarding solutions taking on the biggest international climate challenges – from defending our rainforests to helping people survive deadly heatwaves. This includes the ongoing battle to connect everyone with clean and affordable energy, including the world’s 80 million refugees and displaced people.

“Our awards will focus on innovation supporting those marginalised or at risk of being left behind – from urban slum dwellers to families in rural areas living without electricity.” Over 1 billion people in the world, mostly those living in rural off-grid communities, have no access to electricity. Another 1 billion people have a very unreliable supply.

“Coronavirus has put the progress of many climate pioneers in danger – but they have responded by digging deep to help their communities at this difficult time. Now more than ever, we must celebrate these innovators and back their work building a cleaner, fairer future for all.”

Award nominations are open now, and close on March 3. Winners will be announced in the autumn. As well as a cash grant of up to £20,000, winning organisations receive development support, networking opportunities, and PR support (including a broadcast-quality film about their work).

Winners last year included the National Research Development Corporation, India, for city cooling work in Ahmedabad City. Bangladesh’s  Solshare for community solar grids in Bangladesh, Build up Nepal – for supporting small scale entrepreneurs to build homes from compressed-earth blocks, S4S Technologies, India for developing a patented solar dryer for food products, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), India which worked with the Greater Chennai Corporation to promote walking and cycling and reduce pollution.