ABU DHABI: The winning of the 2013 Zayed Future Energy Prize by the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School in Abu Dhabi was welcomed by the Secretary General, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Razan Al Mubarak, and the Director General of Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC) Dr. Mugheer Al Khaiili.
The school was won the award for its project to become carbon neutral through efficient cooling systems, solar panels and solar batteries. The school is an active participant in the 'Al Madaris Al Mustadama' or 'Sustainable Schools', which was launched by in 2009 by the Agency in collaboration with ADEC. Apart from conservation measures like switching off electricity when unnecessary and efficient use of daylight, planting of trees to create a microclimate of lower temperature, the school has already reduced energy consumption by 15%, replacing existing lights with energy efficient ones. Al Khaiili, during a visit to the school, noted than the initiative is part of ADEC's strategic environmental plans for all schools in the emirate. Al Mubarak congratulated the school on winning the prestigious accolade in recognition of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Sustainable Schools? is a whole school initiative which addresses students, parents, teachers, administrative staff and maintenance staff eventually linking them to the larger community. The awards ceremony for the 5th edition of the Prize culminated a year-long, four-stage evaluation process. Nominations for the Zayed Future Energy Prize were launched in January 2012 through a globally targeted campaign. In July, at the close of nominations, a record 579 entries from 88 countries had been received, marking a 36% increase over last year.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
