ENERGY GLOBE World Award Goes to India

- Great Environmental Gala in Rwanda on TV Worldwide

KIGALI, Rwanda, June 5 /CNW/ - High-ranking UN VIPs, well-known environmental advocates, a glamorous party and above all: the best environmental projects in the world - that was the ENERGY GLOBE Gala - Rwanda 2010. This year the number one environmental gala served as the official inaugural event for the UN World Environment Day (WED) and at the same time demonstrated just how important the ENERGY GLOBE has become.

A colourful spectacle kicked off the evening's proceedings: prize-winners of the national Energy Globes from various countries introduced themselves to the guests - including prominent names: top-ranking Rwandan politicians, Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Luo Hong, UNEP Climate Hero, Peter Rae, Vice President of the environmental campaign REN21 and Ian Redmond, patron of the Great Apes Survival Project. Afterwards the excitement mounted for those nominated for the international World Award: who would be the person to take home the coveted ENERGY GLOBE World Award at the end of the gala? Friends and relatives at home throughout the world were keeping their fingers crossed, too: the gala could be seen for over 500 hours on TV worldwide and thanks to TV Rwanda in Africa as well.

When the winner of the ENERGY GLOBE in the category WATER was announced there was a moment of high emotion in the hall: rejoicing broke out among the submitters of the Indian project "Aakash Ganga" ("River from Heaven"), whose aim is to provide water to rural areas. Then the announcements came in rapid succession: the ENERGY GLOBE in the category EARTH went to Mauritius "Seeds of Hope." Their project provides reforestation and biodiversity. "Floating wind power stations" from Norway were honoured with the fire award, while an economical CO2 engine from Taiwan won in the category Air. The category YOUTH went to a school from Argentina and its self sufficiency concept, which provides pupils with good nutrition and familiarizes them with sustainable agriculture.

About the ENERGY GLOBE Award

The ENERGY GLOBE World Award is an annual event honouring top environmental projects from around the world. It was established in 2000 by Wolfgang Neumann from Austria and has become the most prestigious international environmental prize. Every year approximately 1000 projects are submitted by over 100 countries for the prize, which is awarded in the categories earth, fire, water, air and youth.

More information: http://www.energyglobe.info

Press photos: http://www.energyglobe.com/en/gala-rwanda2010/

For further information: Queries: Daniela Kronberger, [email protected], [phone]