11 November 2014: The International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG) has announced the 2014 Best Climate Practices Contest winners. Under this year’s theme, ‘Energy Poverty Reduction,’ a range of projects was submitted addressing the challenges of climate change and energy poverty. The awards were announced in two categories: the Experts’ Choice Award and the Users’ Choice Award.

The ‘Solar Powered Floating Schools’ project won the Experts’ Choice Award, and the ‘upOwa’ practice, which uses solar systems to provide power in rural African villages, received the highest number of votes in the the Users’ Choice Award. The awards ceremony will take place at the ‘Think Forward Film Festival’ in Venice, Italy, in December 2014.

‘Solar Powered Floating Schools’ is a project based in Bangladesh where heavy monsoon rains and seasonal flooding hinder people’s ability to access resources. These schools use solar-powered devices to ensure education can continue during the monsoon season, and have been able to increase access to “energy-dependent services in an energy poor location.” The project was also selected for its climate change adaptation strategy.

‘upOwa’ addresses the increasing demand for energy in African countries, and plans to develop and operate smart solar systems that power lights and appliances, such as cell phones, in African villages that are not connected to national grids. The first pilot is scheduled for 2015 in Cameroon. The pay-as-you-go model will enable homes to access energy without high upfront costs. The project was selected because of its feasibility, replicability, innovativeness and impact on reducing energy poverty.

Other Experts’ Choice Award finalists include biogas development for climate change mitigation and poverty reduction. The Users’ Choice Award top ten best practices to address energy poverty also include: Seasonal Health Interventions Network; the Wonderbag Slow Cooker; Bhutan Sustainable Rural Biomass Energy; and the Surya Hurricane Lantern. [ICCG Press Release] [Best Climate Practices Webpage] [Solar Powered Floating Schools Project] [upOwa Project]