On 26 and 27 May 2008 the Energy Globe Award 2008 Gala and Conference took place in Brussels in Parliament’s plenary chamber. Projects from around the world promoting the use of clean and renewable energies competed in five different categories: Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Youth. The Energy Globes rewards local and regional projects that contribute to energy conservation, environmental protection, or the supply of basic resources such as water and electricity to remote and poor communities. 109 countries participated in the 2008.

The ceremony was hosted by actress Désirée Nosbusch. Guests included ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, India’s former environment minister Maneka Gandhi and Indian film star Aamir Khan. The gala will included performances by singers Dionne Warwick, Zucchero and Alanis Morissette.

The winners of the Energy Globe Awards are:

• Mikhail Gorbachev received a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his work with the “Green Cross Foundation”.
• Energy Globe World Award: Austria (CO2 free transport logistic solution (Fronius))
• Category Earth: Peru (Sustainable solid waste management program)
• Category Fire: Spain (Andasol solar power plant projects)
• Category Air: Austria (Fronius demonstrates a CO₂-free transport logistic solution)
• Category Water: Mozambique (Helvatas ensures sustainable water supply)
• Category Youth: South Africa (Action-based program triggers lifestyle choices concerning climate change)

Below you can find some pictures from the TV-Gala:

On the second day the very well attended conference with speeches from Mr. Gorbachev, Mr. Kofi Annan, Ms. Ghandi, European Parliament President Hans Gert Pöttering and several other high level representatives took place. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s key message was: Stop exploiting energy “as if there’s no tomorrow”. Pöttering stated that “More effective energy use is something we can easily achieve” and told the audience about the “20/20/20” programme of the EU (reduce greenhouse gases by at least 20% and increase to 20% the share of renewable energies in the energy consumption by 2020) He added that the twenty percent increase in energy efficiency, “is completely attainable (…) without a drop in well being or production”.

The next call for projects for the Energy Globe Award 2009 is taking place now and you can find more information on the REEEP Website