In a festive evening event during the second week of the COP21, the projects were recognised by UNO General Secretary Ban Ki-moon as well as the Swiss pioneer and Solar Impulse founder Bertrand Piccard. Both myclimate “Game Changing Climate Activities” deal with climate protection projects in East Africa.
Solar Energy and Water Treatment
The climate protection program “Solar Energy For Education and Telephony” implements smart Solar Home Systems with integrated GSM modems that provide an affordable alternative to fossil fuels for low-income households and small businesses in Tanzania. The technology also effectively reduces CO₂ emissions thanks to an innovative monitoring approach.
Another award went to Solvatten technology. This is a central component of the myclimate climate protection program for “Clean Drinking Water for School and Households” in Uganda. The technology replaces drinking water purification that uses fossil fuels. It both reduces the CO₂ emissions and positively influences the living conditions and health of thousands of people.
myclimate Managing Director René Estermann was present when Ban Ki-moon and Bertrand Piccard give the award. “Receiving two awards at once here in Paris for our wonderful projects is a great honour for myclimate and a strong incentive for our cooperative activities with our project partners! Both projects show concrete local potential for a cleaner future and can be multiplied on a large scale.”
This is the second time that myclimate projects were honoured at this major climate protection event. Two myclimate projects were also simultaneously recognised by the Momentum for Change Award in 2012. These awards are part of the UNFCCC Momentum for Change Initiative, which is financially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A 24-member international advisory panel chose the myclimate projects from a group of well over one hundred projects.