The winners of the Shell Better Environment Award, sponsored by the Shell in the UAE, will be announced on April 26, 2006 in Dubai. Out of the total 106 participating schools, 15 schools under the Environmental Field Study category, 16 schools under the “Towards sustainable less polluting means of transportation” category and 75 schools in the Environmental Awareness Field group have been short-listed for the Award, which seeks to increase environmental awareness among students.
Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Head of External Affairs & HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and Environment), Shell said: “The Shell Better Environment Award demonstrates Shell’s commitment to the UAE and its people by promoting awareness among the country’s youth about the crucial need for environmental preservation and the importance of sustainable development. The enthusiastic response the Award has elicited over the past 11 years has made it one of the UAE’s foremost initiatives for raising environmental awareness among the local student community.”
This year, a total of 187 public sector schools were registered out of which 106 schools were short-listed for the award. The short-listed schools were all recipients of cash grants from Shell, which were extended to facilitate the implementation of their project ideas. The awards were open to both government as well as private schools.
“Over the years, Shell has actively participated in the region’s development, aiding its emergence as the world’s trusted source of energy. Our unwavering commitment to the region has compelled us to make the Middle East the focal point of all our development and expansion activities, and has made us a partner of choice in the countries we operate in. By encouraging students to collectively work on projects that focus on the urgent need for protecting the environment and sustaining development, and by rewarding them for their efforts, the Shell Better Environment Award allows Shell to fulfill the objectives of its Corporate Social Responsibility,” added Mahmoudi.
The 12-member panel of judges assessing the entries comprises environmental experts and representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Zayed International Prize for the Environment; Emirates Heritage Club of Abu Dhabi, UAE General Secretariat of Municipalities, the Abu Dhabi Environmental Authority and Shell Markets, Middle East.
Abdullah Bilal Al Shamsi, Director of Students and Scouting Activities, Ministry of Education said: “Students are the future of a country, and have a significant role to play in protecting the environment. We are delighted by the dedication and passion they have shown towards implementing their quality project ideas. These projects are an opportunity not just for students, but to everyone involved in the award, to become more conscious and sensitive about preserving and protecting their environment.”
The Shell Better Environment Award is organised in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Education and supported by Federal Environmental Agency (FEA), the UAE General Secretariat of Municipalities, the Environmental Agency and Zayed International Prize for the Environment.
About Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 145 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit http://www.shell.com
