2013 MAYOR’S LOW CARBON PRIZE

IntroductionCompetition information2012 winnersAmbassador roleCommunication and presentation skillsContacts

Contents

The Mayor's Low Carbon Prize forms part of the Mayor's commitment to achieve a

60 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2025.

The UK government is legally bound to reducing CO2 by 80% by 2050. 

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/low-carbon-economy/leading-example https://www.gov.uk/2050-pathways-analysis

Introduction

Burning fossil fuels remains our main way of producing energy and has been the

reason for the increase in carbon emissions since the industrial revolution.

What are Carbon emissions?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and other Greenhouse Gases (GHG) are part of a natural process to warm the planet to a

liveable temperature (without it temperatures on Earth would be on

average 33˚C cooler)

However by emitting more CO2 and GHG we have strengthened this natural

process which is causing climates to change.

What are Carbon emissions?

To reduce the impacts of climate change on the UK as we are already

seeing...• Central England Temperature up by 1˚C since 1970s• Less rainfall in the summer• More winter rainfall falling in fewer events• More severe windstorms

To reduce Ocean Acidification• Oceans absorb carbon dioxide and become acidic, having many negative effects on marine life.

To reduce our reliance on fossil fuels • London would run out of food in 3 days if we had no

petrol/diesel

Why reduce Carbon emissions?

http://www.ukcip.org.uk/

http://www.oceanacidification.org.uk/

What is sustainable development?

“Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take

an idea that seems abstract

-- sustainable development –

and turn it into a reality for all the world's people.”

Kofi Annan, UNSG, 2001

What is sustainable development?

A dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support systems

Forum for the Future (2010)

What is sustainable development?

MLCP 2013

• Create a project that has the potential to make a real positive difference

• Opportunity to collaborate with student peers, other faculties and professional staff

• Potential for collaboration with industry• Free entry• CV boosting

Competition Benefits

“The 2013 Low Carbon Prize offers the capital's students the opportunity to win a share of £20,000 to turn their ideas into reality.”

Prize money - £20K

“20 of the best runners up will be shortlisted for a chance to win a paid internship with leading industrial engineering firm Siemens, sponsors of the award.”

Paid Internships

Closing date:

Midday on 17th May(but submissions being accepted now)

Shortlisted entries will be decided by an expert judging panel.

Winners will be chosen by a high-profile judging panel

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Siemens urban sustainability centre The Crystal on 13th June 2013.

Competition Dates

Types of ideas

• Designing a prototype for a new technology • Conducting a pilot project to test more efficient ways of doing things or overcoming existing barriers to uptake. • Research project or dissertation which would result in practical recommendations for actions to reduce carbon emissions in the capital.

The submitted idea must contribute towards reducing C02 emissions in the capital and

meet the judging criteria....

How to apply

• The problem I am addressing is...

• My low carbon idea for solving this problem is...

• My idea is original because....

• How my idea will be put into action

• If I were to tell my Granny about my idea I would say….

• Estimated carbon savings, how many people or places my low carbon idea would apply to?

• How my idea helps in other ways

• Proof of student status at a London college or university in 2012 or 2013

How to apply

The online application form is available here:

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/mayors-low carbon-prize/how-enter

Judging criteria

Originality: what is original about your idea?

Practicality: how will your idea be put into action?

Clarity: keep your idea simple and clear – does your granny understand it?

Scope of carbon emissions reductions: how will your idea reduce emissions or remove CO2 from the air?

Broader sustainability benefits: does your idea also improve biodiversity, reduce waste or create jobs?

Internship requirements

Do your values and attitudes match those of Siemens?

Do you:1. Enjoy exploring problems and making things work

better?2. Like working in a team?3. Consider yourself to be a good communicator?4. Enjoy making a positive impression on people?5. Like the idea of working in a large multi-functional,

multi-national business?6. Want to take control of your career?7. Respond well to challenges?8. Want to prove you can meet your potential?

Internship requirements

Siemens competencies:

• Communication Skills- your application will demonstrate how clearly and persuasively your idea comes across, should you be shortlisted you will have the opportunity to communicate face to face with the Siemens Internship selection group

• Initiative – your application demonstrates this

•Drive and Motivation – Siemens only invests time and training in people who want to be successful and have the ambition and energy to make it happen – your application and your participation in the Mayor’s Low Carbon Prize 2013 demonstrates this.

You may wish to highlight these competencies in your application

Internship requirementsProvide 1 page CV*

Siemens look for certain competencies, please respond to each competency in relation to your low carbon idea:

1. Customer Focus –How does your low carbon idea meet customer needs?2. Analytical Thinking – How can you support your idea using statistics,

words and imagery?3. Commercial Awareness – As well as being sustainable, how will your idea

be profitable over the long-term? Can your idea be brought forward to a global market?

4. Team Working – Ideally who, or what type of person, would you want to work with you in your team? How could your idea be realised and delivered collaboratively?

* If you are submitting a group application, individual team member CVs and individual

answers are required.

Please see FAQs on london.gov.uk/lowcarbon for more information.

2012 Winners

Over 100 entries in 2012 from 30 institutionsContacts, internships, visits, book signings

See interviews here: http://youtu.be/y-uIMLFNEv0

Winners:Green Key: MA Design for Development, Kingston University student teamBio-Bean: Architecture, UCL Bartlett studentFull list here http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/mayors-low-carbon-prize/2012-prize-winners

2012 Winners

2012 Winners meeting the Mayor

Jonathan Pye-Finch, Andre Vigil, Anne-Kathrin Schoettle: Green Key

Arthur Kay: Bio-Bean

Green Key

Bio-Bean

Salahud Din, Alkaline Solar Cells: New manufacturing method for solar panel production.

Sinem Osman, Swipe and Save: Swipe card building entry/exit system that controls power to lighting and other appliances.

Examples of short-listed ideas from last year

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mayorslowcarbonprize@london.gov.uk

Contact details

london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/mayors-low-carbon-prize

@MLCPrize

The Mayor’s Low Carbon Prize