Eco Wave Power (EWPG Holding AB), a Swedish-Israeli wave energy developer, won the public voting for the Global Innovation Award in the “Life Under Water” category at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Eco Wave Power developed a patented, cost-efficient technology for turning ocean and sea waves into green electricity. Eco Wave Power’s mission is to assist in the fight against climate change by enabling commercial power production from sea and ocean waves.
EWP is recognized as a “Pioneering Technology” by Israel’s Ministry of Energy and was labelled as an “Efficient Solution” by the Solar Impulse Foundation. Eco Wave Power’s project in Gibraltar has received funding from the European Union Regional Development Fund and from the European Commission’s HORIZON2020 framework program.
Organized by Globally on behalf of the 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 received a record number of applications — more than 1,200 from 65 countries.
A total of 113 applicants from 23 countries were 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 were shortlisted for the main award.
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).
“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,” said His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
MOCCAE was established in February 2006 as the Ministry of Environment and Water. Under its redefined scope, the ministry has taken on a dual mandate. On the national level, it aims to strengthen the UAE’s efforts in preserving the environment and promoting food diversity in accordance with the nation’s aspiration to emerge as a key benchmark for sustainable development. On the global level, MOCCAE joins international stakeholders in combating climate change and profiles the UAE’s path-breaking achievements in the sector at thought leadership platforms worldwide.
Globally works with businesses to take action to be more sustainable. Globally operates a free-to-use video sharing platform, www.GloballyGreat.com, for entrepreneurs to showcase sustainable innovations.
