Zayed Sustainability Prize Sees Surge in Global Participation with 7,761 Entries - CleanTechnica

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, a global award based in the UAE now in its 17th year, has seen a significant surge in participation for its 2026 cycle, receiving 7,761 entries from 173 countries—a 30% increase from the previous cycle. The Prize recognizes innovative solutions across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools, with a focus on empowering SMEs, nonprofits, and schools to scale sustainable innovations that improve lives, particularly in vulnerable communities. This year’s submissions highlight a growing integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, direct air carbon capture, and fintech tools with community-led approaches, emphasizing inclusive, locally adapted development. Notably, around 85% of entries came from developing and emerging economies, with India, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Indonesia among the top contributors, alongside developed nations like the UAE and the USA. The Food and Climate Action categories attracted the most submissions, reflecting urgent global concerns about food security