EPAA Launches the 13th Edition of the "Sharjah Sustainability Award"

Al Bawaba

25-02-2025

As part of its strategic vision to support Sharjah's Strategic Environmental Protection Plan, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainability principles across the emirate and the UAE, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah has launched the 13th edition of the "Sharjah Sustainability Award". This initiative aims to encourage institutions, university students, and school students to present innovative environmental solutions and creative projects that contribute to building a sustainable environment in line with global best practices.Empowering Talent and Encouraging Contributions Toward a Sustainable FutureH.E. Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, emphasized that the current edition of the award reflects EPAA's steadfast commitment to fostering environmental innovation and embedding sustainability as a fundamental approach across various sectors. This commitment aligns with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah."We have witnessed remarkable participation from both public and private institutions, alongside outstanding academic contributions from universities and schools. This strong engagement underscores the growing environmental awareness and the deep-rooted sense of social responsibility within the community," Al Suwaidi stated.She further highlighted that the pioneering projects submitted in scientific research, sustainable design, future energy solutions, and AI applications in sustainability demonstrate the immense creative potential of today's generation. Al Suwaidi stressed the importance of providing platforms that celebrate and nurture these talents, empowering them to contribute toward building a more sustainable future."At EPAA, we take great pride in supporting such impactful initiatives, and we aspire for these projects to serve as a springboard for transformative environmental solutions that achieve a balance between economic growth and natural resource conservation. This initiative translates the UAE's ambitious sustainability vision into actionable reality."Broad Participation Reflects Growing Environmental AwarenessThe current edition of the award has attracted a significant number of high-quality submissions across various sectors. A total of 19 public and private institutions have submitted projects aimed at enhancing environmental innovation and sustainability.In the academic category, participation has been particularly strong, with 338 students and academic supervisors from universities presenting projects spanning scientific research, sustainable design, future energy, emissions reduction, and AI applications in sustainability.At the school level, 213 public and private schools took part, with 474 students, under the guidance of 158 teachers, showcasing outstanding projects in fields such as energy and water conservation, environmental innovations, sustainable projects, environmental short story competitions, AI applications, sustainable schools, and short environmental films. This high level of participation reflects the increasing environmental consciousness within the community and the shared commitment to achieving a more balanced and sustainable future.Comprehensive Evaluation to Select the Most Impactful ProjectsThe evaluation process for the submitted projects is now underway, with a total of 267 projects under review across various categories. A panel of 20 environmental experts is conducting the assessments, ensuring a thorough and fair selection process.
The evaluation is carried out in two phases: an initial review of all submitted projects, followed by a final evaluation of shortlisted projects to identify the most outstanding and impactful initiatives in each category.