Seventh Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty-One Submissions Flood Zayed Sustainability Prize, Boosting Support for Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Schools in Their Efforts to Scale Sustainable Innovations Benefiting Vulnerable Communities
Zayed Sustainability Prize Highlights Innovations for a Sustainable Future
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, an international award focusing on sustainability, has closed submissions for its 2026 cycle, marking the start of the selection process. This year, the prize received a record 7,761 entries from 173 countries, representing a 30% increase from the previous year [1].
Based in the UAE, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is now in its 17th year and is part of our brand name Middle East. The prize aims to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organizations, and high schools to develop and scale sustainable innovations [2].
The entries were submitted across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Each category showcased remarkable advancements in its respective field.
In the Food category, precision agriculture and agri-robotics took centre stage, demonstrating how technology can transform traditional farming practices to increase efficiency and productivity [3]. The Water category showcased innovative ways to expand freshwater access, addressing one of the world's most pressing challenges [3].
The Climate Action category highlighted both mitigation and adaptation efforts, featuring nature-based solutions and direct air carbon capture [3]. In Energy, submissions showed a growing interest in thermal energy storage and advanced low-carbon fuels [3].
The Global High Schools category reflected a surge in youth engagement and commitment to sustainability, with youth-led submissions making up a significant portion of the entries [3].
The Zayed Sustainability Prize now enters the evaluation stage, with the Selection Committee assessing the qualified entries and shortlisting the candidates. The Jury will convene in October to unanimously elect the winners in each category [1].
The winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 13 January 2026 during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week [1]. Each winner in the organizational categories will receive US$1 million, while six high schools will be awarded US$150,000 each [2].
The Zayed Sustainability Prize advances impactful solutions to pressing global challenges, focusing on technology-powered, community-led solutions that improve lives in vulnerable and underserved communities [1]. By recognizing pioneers who deliver measurable impact, the prize seeks to inspire a global movement towards a sustainable future.
[1] Zayed Sustainability Prize press release, 2022. [2] Zayed Sustainability Prize official website, 2022. [3] Zayed Sustainability Prize search results, 2022. [4] Zayed Sustainability Prize social media post, 2022.
- The Food category of the Zayed Sustainability Prize demonstrated how technology, such as precision agriculture and agri-robotics, can innovate traditional farming practices to increase productivity and efficiency.
- The Climate Action category highlighted the innovative use of technology, including nature-based solutions and direct air carbon capture, in both mitigation and adaptation efforts to address climate-change.
- The winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, who will be announced in January 2026, will receive funding to scale their sustainable innovations, with organizations receiving US$1 million and high schools US$150,000 each.
- By recognizing pioneers who deliver measurable impact through technology-powered, community-led solutions, the Zayed Sustainability Prize aims to inspire a global movement towards environmental-science and a sustainable future.
