(Press Release from Lowanna College first published in ‘Sustain’ Nov-Dec Newsletter of the Baw Baw Sustainability Network)
Lowanna College, Newborough has been selected as a finalist for the 2018 Zayed Future Energy Prize. This annual award celebrates achievements that reflect impact, innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability.
A group of dedicated students, assisted by Lowanna’s Sustainability Representative Judith Stewart, have formulated a plan to deliver the school approximately $2.5M in energy savings over the next 25 years. This represents a financial saving of approximately $100,000 per year, and a significant step in the transition to renewable energy.
The plan was submitted to the Zayed Future Energy Prize panel, the foremost international organization recognizing achievements and innovation in renewable energy and sustainability. Zayed’s selection panel reported that Lowanna’s students had demonstrated innovation, leadership, and long-term vision in their submission. The students have also forged meaningful links with students from last year’s winning high school; Huonville High School in regional Tasmania.
Judith hopes other schools will follow Lowanna’s example, as Zayed’s Oceania Global High Schools category is open to all high schools world-wide with students between 11-19 years of age. There are also categories for corporations, not-for-profits, and individuals. The global high schools category awards $100,000 to each winning school, with Lowanna planning to spend the majority of the money on a solar panel installation which will boost to the school’s clean energy and sustainability resources.
The winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize are chosen by a prestigious jury that includes former heads of state, leading energy experts, and world-renowned personalities – all committed to accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and advocating sustainable development. More information about the Zayed Future Energy Prize can be found here.