Proven solutions are crucial to sustaining momentum on climate action during the Coronavirus crisis, Ashden CEO Harriet Lamb has said, announcing the 2020 Ashden Award finalists.
The energy and climate NGO revealed 22 organisations delivering green buildings, transport, sustainable cooling and energy access in the UK and across the developing world.
Harriet Lamb warned that global climate progress is at risk as governments struggle to control the coronavirus pandemic. She said: “While fighting Coronavirus is rightly the world’s priority, the climate crisis continues. As we emerge from global lockdown we have to ensure that we fashion a green reboot of our economies and societies, one that puts the values of community and compassion centre-stage.”
Some award finalists stand ready to aid the pandemic response. For example, E-cargobikes, whose electric cargo bikes deliver goods for supermarkets and small businesses in the UK, has nearly 50 vehicles available to move vital food and medicines.
But across the developing world, many clean energy enterprises bringing energy to the hardest to reach now face reduced demand or investment because of the pandemic, or are seeing their incomes fall as marginalised customers are simply unable to pay.
Ms Lamb said: “It’s more important than ever that we find, fund and replicate effective climate solutions that also tackle inequalities. To survive and build momentum at this difficult time, innovators need commitment from policymakers and investors.”
“Our longlist highlights two crucial similarities between the climate crisis and the Coronavirus pandemic – those already vulnerable are most at risk, and community action is key to any effective response.”
Key themes from this year’s shortlist include:
- Co-operatives and co-operation: sustainable energy is helping the world’s most marginalised people work together to improve their lives. Examples include women-run solar microgrids in Yemen, and transformational tech for woman salt producers in India.
- 360 thinking: An ambitious, holistic approach is vital to tackling sustainability challenges – whether delivering ultra-efficient ‘Passivhaus’ homes in the UK or transforming travel networks across entire cities, as in Chennai, India.
- Alternatives to air conditioning: air conditioning is being used more as the world heats, but itself contributes to higher temperatures. Passive cooling solutions in Egypt and India, making smart use of shading, air flows and ventilation, limit warming and protect the most vulnerable.
