Global environmental conservation prize opens for entries

The University of St Andrews and independent exploration and production company ConocoPhillips announce the call for entries for the St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2020.

Applications are invited from individuals, multi-disciplinary teams or community groups for this annual prize, which is US$100,000 for the winner and US$25,000 for the runner(s)-up. The shortlisted entries will be invited for a more substantial submission later in the year.

Anyone wishing to enter the 2020 Prize should complete the online entry form on the Prize website by Friday 21 June 2019.

Finalists will be asked to attend a seminar at the University of St Andrews in February 2020. Following presentation of their projects in English to the Trustees and invited delegates at the seminar, the winner will be selected and announced.

The primary objective of the Prize is to find innovative solutions to environmental challenges across the world. The solutions should be practical, scalable and able to be replicated in other places, combining good science, economic reality and political acceptability. The Prize offers people from all backgrounds around the world the chance to help transform their environmental ideas into reality and provides a network of connections and support.

Dr Hayaatun Sillem, Chair of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment Trustees, says: “The St Andrews Prize for the Environment recognises and supports outstanding initiatives that address our most pressing environmental challenges in an innovative and sustainable way. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, disciplines and regions of the planet and offer finalists and winners a fantastic package of support to help them realise their potential.”

The 2019 winner of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment was Saathi, India. The project produces eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads in the state of Gujarat.

Saathi has developed a sanitary product that is biodegradable and compostable using agricultural waste from banana tree farmers as a raw material. The Saathi pads enable girls and women in rural Jharkhand to have access to clean, biodegradable menstruation products.

The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is a joint environmental initiative by the University of St Andrews in Scotland, which attracts scholars of international repute and carries out world-class teaching and research, and independent exploration and production company ConocoPhillips.

Recognising significant contributions to environmental conservation, since its launch in 1998 the Prize has attracted more than 5600 entries from around the world and donated more than US$2 million to environmental initiatives on a wide range of topics, including biodiversity, sustainable development, urban re-generation, recycling, health, water and waste, renewable energy and community development. Submissions for the Prize are screened by representatives from the University of St Andrews and ConocoPhillips before being assessed by a panel of Trustees representing science, industry and sustainable development.