Emirates Energy Award 2025: A platform to promote global sustainability and clean energy

The Emirates Energy Award, organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, continues to cement its position as one of the leading global initiatives supporting sustainability and clean energy. With the submission deadline for its fifth edition closing on 1 March 2025, the award continues to attract high-quality entries across its 10 categories from countries around the world. The award aims to honour projects and initiatives contributing to the transition to sustainable energy, with a focus on innovation and effective solutions to environmental challenges.

Vision and Mission: Empowering carbon neutrality

Under the theme ‘Empowering Carbon Neutrality’, the fifth edition of the award aligns with the UAE’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and Dubai’s pioneering efforts to transform the emirate into a global hub for clean energy. This is in line with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050, to generate 100 per cent of its energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

The award theme underscores the critical role public and private institutions play in reducing carbon emissions and increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said: “Under the visionary leadership and directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai remains committed to supporting all initiatives, projects and efforts that drive sustainable development and accelerate the global transition towards a green economy, and clean and renewable energy. These forward-looking strategies not only foster innovation but also recognise and celebrate pioneering projects that offer tangible solutions to climate challenges. Through its ambitious initiatives, Dubai has established itself as a global benchmark for clean energy, environmental sustainability and the transition to a green economy, thus reinforcing its leadership in enhancing reliance on renewable and clean energy sources.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed further stated: “The fifth cycle of the Emirates Energy Award, held under the theme ‘Empowering Carbon Neutrality’, aligns with the UAE’s ambitious goals of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It also reflects Dubai’s proactive efforts in launching pioneering projects aimed at transforming the emirate into a global hub for clean energy. This commitment is in line with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to achieve 100% of the emirate’s energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed added that the award represents a significant step in accelerating the transition to renewable energy and attracting a distinguished group of innovators and experts from around the world to exchange solutions and expertise.

HH Sheikh Ahmed emphasised that the award encourages both institutions and individuals to adopt responsible practices that contribute to sustainability and foster international collaboration to transform ideas into projects that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as well as ensure a better future for generations to come.

HH Sheikh Ahmed reaffirmed that the Emirates Energy Award is not merely a recognition of outstanding projects but serves as an open invitation – both regionally and globally – to engage, collaborate and contribute to building a more innovative and sustainable environment.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of the Emirates Energy Award, stated: “The award embodies the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a global hub for renewable energy and sustainable development. The award serves as a bridge for collaboration among various entities to achieve global sustainability goals.”

Al Tayer added: “The UAE’s commitment to developing such pioneering initiatives reflects its ambitious vision. The award has surpassed its role as a platform for recognising projects, becoming a strategic tool for raising awareness and adopting best practice in energy management and clean energy.”

Al Tayer highlighted that international collaboration is key to the success of major climate initiatives, noting that the Emirates Energy Award strives to create an innovative environment where ideas and projects can thrive and expand, contributing to global solutions for building a sustainable future.

In this context, HE Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Vice Chairman of the Emirates Energy Award Committee, said: “The award serves as a pivotal platform to highlight innovations and sustainable solutions that can inspire communities worldwide to achieve sustainable development goals.”

Award Objectives: Promoting sustainability and innovation

The award focuses on supporting innovation in clean energy and the sustainable management of natural resources. Its objectives include:

•            Honouring pioneering projects that contribute to reducing carbon emissions and achieving energy efficiency.

•            Raising awareness about the importance of sustainable energy and encouraging individuals and institutions to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

•            Supporting scientific research and technological development to advance the transition to clean energy.

•            Creating a global platform for exchanging ideas and solutions between local and international entities.

A global role at COP29

The award recently played a significant role at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. It presented a comprehensive showcase of its objectives, categories and past achievements, further enhancing its position as a pioneering UAE initiative supporting international co-operation in sustainable energy.

The Emirates Energy Award consistently participates in major international events such as COP29 to highlight the UAE’s efforts in sustainability and open new avenues for collaboration with key stakeholders. The conference provided a platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing innovative projects that have achieved notable success in reducing carbon footprints.

Achievements: 2012 to 2025

Since its launch in 2012, the award has achieved remarkable progress, attracting over 600 submissions from more than 40 countries. The award’s categories include large and small energy projects, energy efficiency, the circular economy, education and capacity building, innovation and research and development.

These categories reflect the award's comprehensive vision in supporting the transition to clean energy. Al Muhairbi explained that “each category of the award represents a strategic area that fosters innovation and sustainability, ranging from energy efficiency across various sectors to renewable energy projects that contribute to building a sustainable future”.

Innovation at the core of the fifth edition

The fifth edition of the award continues to spotlight innovation as a central pillar of sustainability. Participating projects include technological solutions such as waste-to-energy conversion, as well as measures to improve building efficiency and develop renewable energy technologies. The award emphasises support for projects that offer scalable sustainable models to improve the quality of life in various communities.

Timeline for the fifth edition

Applications for the fifth edition are open until 1 March 2025, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 2025, bringing together leaders and experts from around the world.

The UAE’s commitment to a sustainable vision

The Emirates Energy Award reflects the UAE’s commitment to a sustainable vision aligned with the UAE Centennial 2071. As environmental challenges intensify, the award emerges as a strategic tool driving the transition toward a green economy.

It serves as a unique opportunity to recognise exceptional efforts in the field of sustainable energy, inspiring global entities to collaborate for the benefit of current and future generations.

The role of the award in highlighting outstanding projects in the UAE

The Emirates Energy Award supports global efforts to provide clean and renewable energy by recognising winning projects from various countries worldwide that have succeeded in offering innovative clean energy solutions. Within the UAE, the award has effectively highlighted and showcased several initiatives that enhance energy efficiency and present successful models and alternatives. For example, during the 2022 edition of the Emirates Energy Award, Abu Dhabi Municipality was honoured in the ‘Energy Efficiency – Public Sector’ category for its project to upgrade public buildings to save water and electricity, while the Dubai Airport Free Zone also won in the same category for its project to enhance building efficiency and reduce water and electricity consumption. Furthermore, Dubai Airports received the award in the ‘Energy Efficiency – Private Sector’ category for its project aimed at reducing water and electricity consumption in buildings.

In the 2017 edition, the Abu Dhabi Carbon Capture Company was recognised in the ‘Large Energy Projects’ category for its carbon capture, utilisation and storage initiative, while the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre received the award in the Small Energy Projects category for its initiative on energy efficiency and resource conservation. Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Gas Development Company Limited was recognised in the ‘Energy Efficiency – Public Sector’ category for its operational efficiency and improvement project. The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) received the award in the Research and Development category for its innovative desalination systems project while Emaar Malls Group was honoured in the ‘Energy Efficiency – Private Sector’ category for its energy efficiency measures and enhancement initiatives.

Promoting international co-operation for a sustainable future

As the Emirates Energy Award continues to evolve, its importance as a platform for fostering international co-operation between governments, institutions and companies in the field of sustainable energy becomes increasingly evident. Through its previous editions, the award has shown its ability to bring together leading global experts and innovators to exchange knowledge and expertise in a manner that has stimulated innovation and addressed climate challenges effectively and practically.

The fifth edition of the award, with its closing ceremony scheduled for October 2025, comes at a time when the world is under increasing pressure to transition to clean energy and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The award-winning projects stand as evidence of the ability of innovation to enhance quality of life while achieving a balance between development needs and environmental protection. Recognising these projects raises awareness and inspires individuals and institutions to adopt similar models that contribute to achieving sustainability.

In line with the UAE's commitment to advancing sustainability through these pioneering initiatives, the Emirates Energy Award continues to serve as a leading model to follow. By focusing on innovation and collaboration, the award strives to fulfil the UAE's vision of becoming a global hub for innovation in energy and sustainable development, reflecting its regional and global leadership role in addressing climate change.