(Yicai Global) April 18 -- Chinese businesses, social organizations, non-governmental bodies and other entities registered on the mainland have been invited to compete for the 2023 Paulson Prize for Sustainability, which will be awarded to projects that demonstrate ingenuity and leadership in sustainable development.

Applications are open until June 30, the US' Paulson Institute and China’s Tsinghua University said yesterday.

The Paulson Prize, which is now in its tenth year, awards projects in Green Innovation and Nature Stewardship, the Chicago-based Paulson Institute said. It recognizes programs around the built environment and natural conservation. An independent evaluation committee composed of renowned international and Chinese leaders in the fields of urban planning, economy, finance, energy, ecology and environmental protection will evaluate the submitted works based on agreed standards to determine the winner for each category.

In 2013, the Paulson Institute launched the Prize to award projects in China each year that present innovative, scalable and sustainable solutions to address the twin crises of climate change and loss of biodiversity. The main objective of the Prize is to lead global sustainability transformation by inspiring new thinking and to shine a light on projects that offer the most potential to meet these challenges, both in China and around the world.

"This year, we are excited to celebrate our 10-year journey by bringing the Prize network together through a special series of inspiring dialogues, events, and engagements with Prize alumni," said Deborah Lehr, vice chairman and executive director of the Paulson Institute. "In the months and years ahead, the Paulson Prize will continue to advance its unique role as a platform to bring market players together to take their sustainability solutions to the next level."

The Paulson Prize—Green Innovation rewards solutions that respond to climate change, improve the built environment, accelerate the upgrading of energy structure and promote low-carbon development to build a future of environmental sustainability and economic growth. This category includes solutions for resource conservation, comprehensive utilization of resources, the circular economy, pollution prevention and control, energy-saving and emission reduction.

The Paulson Prize—Nature Stewardship is designed to attract and encourage solutions that improve the natural environment to meet the urgent challenges of ecological degradation and biodiversity loss and to inspire people to live in harmony with nature. This category recognizes innovative, sustainable and scalable solutions and mechanisms for protecting and restoring natural ecosystems, biodiversity conservation as well as the enhancement of ecosystem services.

As the Paulson Prize for Sustainability celebrates its 10th anniversary, Tsinghua University will continue to collaborate closely with the Paulson Institute to enhance the global influence of the Paulson Prize and further promote China's innovation and leadership in the field of sustainable development.

Together, we aim to contribute China's strength to solving global issues and advancing sustainable development around the world, said Yang Bin, vice president of Beijing-based Tsinghua University.

The Paulson Prize wishes to express its appreciation to the China Association of Circular Economy, the World Business Council For Sustainable Development, AmCham China, C-Team, the Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation and Yicai Media Group.

Editor: Kim Taylor