£20,000 prize to reward sustainable travel

September 5, 2011

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are inviting applications for a new award from organisations involved in delivering outstanding sustainable local travel schemes.

Winners of the 2012 Eurostar Ashden Award for Sustainable Travel will scoop £20,000 in prize money and help with the development and promotion of their sustainable local travel project.

The brand new award is open to organisations in Britain, France and Belgium that are leading the way in delivering sustainable local travel and carbon savings through behaviour change, innovation and technology.

Applicants should have been operating for at least one year and be delivering one or more of the following:

• greater use of non-car options for travel, such as walking, cycling and public transport

• more efficient use of the car

• overall reductions in travel energy demand through behavioural measures

• effective combination of technological and behavioural measures to encourage more sustainable travel

The deadline for initial applications is Tuesday 25 October 2011.

The Ashden Awards

The Ashden Awards bring to light inspiring sustainable energy solutions in the UK and developing world and help ensure that they are spread more widely. From an entrepreneur rolling out solar power across rural India to a school adopting clean energy and green learning in England, our winners are passionate about bringing change to their communities and the planet.

The Ashden AwardsPrevious winners
Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, Scotland – If you don’t think you can really reduce your energy consumption, then go and talk to the Islanders of Eigg. By carefully managing their energy use, actively encouraging energy-saving in everyone’s daily life and generating 90% of electricity through renewable energy, the Islanders have cut their carbon by nearly 50%. As the Chair of the Island’s Green Team says, “in a community-led scheme like ours, people have more responsibility to save energy, but if it’s led by the government, people just leave it to the authorities.”www.isleofeigg.orgNorthwards Housing, Manchester – Residents of North Manchester’s draughty council homes have long-wanted to be warmer. They also want to spend less on that warmth. Northwards Housing has delivered. Going far beyond government standards, they are converting their housing stock into energy-efficient homes, with no charge to tenants. Already over 70% of their 12,500 houses have been overhauled with external wall insulation, double glazed windows, and even an A-rated boiler. And with personal comfort come environmental benefits. Carbon emissions have dropped by at least 17,500 tonnes a year.www.northwardshousing.co.uk
Okehampton College, Devon – A sustainable future depends on future generations. Okehampton College is setting an example. Their aim is carbon neutrality. Energy-saving behaviour via replacing lights and using solar energy, is encouraged, while staff and governors are also working towards harnessing wind, hydro and biomass. The College has cut its own electricity bills by 50%, saving £20,000 a year, while also engaging 11 feeder primary schools and the local community in energy projects. www.okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.ukSt Columb Minor School, Cornwall – To make something work you usually have to make it enjoyable as well as worthwhile. The Eco Team and staff at this primary school are taking a practical but fun-packed approach to driving energy use down by making eco pledges in class and at home, generating energy with wind and solar, and giving their building a green overhaul. Not many lights left on in the corridors we suspect.www.blueschool.co.uk

Information correct at time of publication.

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