GWEC launches memorial award in honor of late CEO Steve Sawyer –

On the occasion of Earth Day,  the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said it
has launched a memorial award in honor of its late CEO Steve Sawyer – REvolutionaries:
The Steve Sawyer Memorial Award.

Steve
passed away in July 2019. He had a distinguished career in environmental
and climate activism. During his tenure at Greenpeace International, he
survived the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior ship while campaigning against
nuclear testing in French Polynesia. Steve became GWEC’s first Secretary
General in 2007, contributing significantly to developing the wind industry in
several countries, including India, China, Brazil and South Africa. Steve
remained with GWEC until his passing in July 2019.

The award seeks to empower
young people working on the frontiers of the renewable energy revolution in
their respective countries. The annual award will have a different regional
focus for each program cycle. In 2020, the program will focus on clean energy
leaders in Africa, with candidates either working in or targeting their work to
one or several countries in Africa.

The winner will receive a prize
package that includes a monetary prize, funded travel to attend a regional GWEC
event, as well as opportunities to promote the recipient’s thought leadership
to a global network.

A jury will determine the
winner of the award, focusing on five key criteria: leadership, renewable
energy, innovation, scalability, and diversity.

The jury is composed of people
close to Steve, including members of Steve’s family, GWEC, REN21 and
Greenpeace.

Applications are now open for
the award until 7 June 2020. More information about the award and how to apply
can be found here.