£20k prize for firms driving energy efficiency

The 2014 Ashden awards are calling for applications from organisations working to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and boost the use of renewables

The annual sustainable energy awards have opened for entries and are looking for businesses and public sector organisations that are helping to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, through innovative new products, retrofit processes or behavior change projects.

Prizes of up to £20,000 are on offer and previous winners include the National Trust, for cutting energy consumption at its Welsh properties by 40% in two years, and Buckinghamshire firm Monodraught, whose natural ventilation system, COOL-PHASE, uses up to 90% less energy than traditional air conditioning equipment.

Russell Smith, chief executive at Parity Projects, which advises social housing schemes on retrofitting and won an Ashden award in 2012, said: “The great thing about an Ashden award is not just that you've won. It adds weight to a conversation, an offer, a proposal. But even those things have not been as useful as the partnerships we have struck up with other winners through the process.”

The awards, which are now in their 14th year, are also looking for inspiring examples of sustainable travel initiatives, charities working with private firms to cut energy use, and schools that have been successful in becoming more energy efficient or in promoting sustainability to their students.

The Ashden awards are free to enter and the closing date for applications is 5 November. For more information or to apply visit: ashden.org