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Emirates Foundation and Exxonmobil announce latest awards programme to promote UAE energy efficiency

ExxonMobil Donates US$1 Million to Foundation's Energy Efficiency Competition

New Grants Process Open Until April 28, 2011

Abu Dhabi, UAE March 28, 2011 - The Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy, supported by a donation of US$1 million from ExxonMobil , has launched the third round of its annual Energy Efficiency Competition.

The competition, managed through the Foundation's Science, Technology & Environment Programme, awards funding to projects and initiatives that strengthen public awareness of energy efficiency across the UAE.

The US$ 1 million (AED 3.68 million) donation continues ExxonMobil 's energy efficiency partnership with the Emirates Foundation, which began in 2008 as part of its US$ 5 million (AED 18.4 million) commitment to the Foundation's endowment and projects.

The Emirates Foundation's Managing Director, HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, thanked ExxonMobil for its continued partnership and for its financial support to the Foundation. He commented: " ExxonMobil 's deep knowledge and international experience of the energy business will be of great help for us - as we continue to raise public awareness and promote energy efficiency and sustainable technologies across the country."

The Energy Efficiency Competition encourages and strengthens projects that raise the capacity of individuals, student groups, schools, neighborhood associations, universities and non-profit organizations to promote effective ways to save energy and protect the unique environment of the UAE.

The Foundation has successfully completed two rounds of its Energy Efficiency Competition, supporting hundreds of Emiratis in promoting energy-efficient practices throughout the country. The third round in 2011 focuses on five areas: research; workshop and conference support; training participation; local level initiatives and public awareness.

Morten Mauritzen, President of ExxonMobil affiliates in Abu Dhabi, said the partnership reflected the company's strong commitment to energy efficiency.

"Energy efficiency is one of the largest and lowest cost ways to extend energy supplies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Mauritzen. " ExxonMobil is committed to energy efficiency in our global operations, technology research and with our partnerships, including initiatives with community organizations. We are honoured to be working with the Emirates Foundation in this crucial area."

Dr Lamya Faisal, Head of the Foundation's Environment Programme, pointed out: "Hundreds of Emirati nationals, including students, researchers, and professionals are engaged in projects that have greatly benefited from ExxonMobil 's funding. Through the implementation of new technologies and practices, the grants are helping to save energy throughout the UAE."

Interested parties are invited to submit their grant applications through the Emirates Foundation website www.emiratesfoundation.ae. Deadline is April 28, 2011

For further information contact: environment@emiratesfoundation.ae

In the first round of the Energy Efficiency Competition last year, nine out of 17 eligible proposals were awarded funding. These projects benefited key universities across the country, including UAE University, Zayed University, and the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute.

Example: a grant was awarded to a joint Emirates Wildlife Society and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-N) project to conduct "Green Makeovers" for selected UAE businesses and households. The green makeover focused on identifying and addressing areas where energy consumption and water usage could be improved. The Emirates Foundation grant covered the costs of the audits and the implementation of improvement measures.

In the second round of the Energy Efficiency Competition, 30 eligible proposals have been received. 12 research and local initiative projects have been accepted for funding. Additionally, 27 Emirati students from 6 different universities have been awarded grants to attend the 2011 World Future Energy Summit as a part of the conference grants awarded under this project.

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About the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy:
The Emirates Foundation is one of the UAE's foremost philanthropic organizations. It offers financial and technical support to projects that enrich the lives of people in the Emirates, particularly in the areas of youth development, knowledge creation, and society and culture.

The Foundation facilitates links between commercial businesses and the public sector to devise new projects and strengthen existing nonprofit initiatives throughout the country. Its funding comes from programme-rated contributions and a capital reserve supported by the Abu Dhabi government and private companies.

Launched on April 12, 2005 by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, its Board of Directors is chaired by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

For more information, please contact:
Abdullah Bani Ali
Senior Media Relations Officer
Tel: +971 2 404 2814
Mob: 050-7319559
Email: abaniali@emiratesfoundation.ae

© Press Release 2011