Zayed Sustainability Prize honors talent

From pioneering solar breakthroughs to empowering youth-led innovation, Chinese recipients of the Zayed Sustainability Prize have helped shape global progress through innovation that delivers real-world results.

Their work reflects China's dynamic role in the international sustainability movement, combining policy, technology and education, and demonstrates how global recognition can amplify local effects.

Established in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize recognizes excellence and innovation across six categories: health, food, energy, water, climate action and global high schools. Named in honor of the United Arab Emirates' founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the prize has recognized 128 winners to date, reaching more than 400 million people around the world. Each year, it celebrates innovators whose work not only transforms communities but inspires new solutions for a more inclusive and resilient future.

One of the most prominent Chinese figures honored by the prize is Wang Chuanfu, chairman and CEO of BYD. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his visionary leadership in advancing electric mobility and battery technology — contributions that have reshaped the global transportation landscape.

Under his guidance, BYD emerged as a pioneer in sustainable transport and went on to win the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2016. Since then, the company's international profile has continued to rise with BYD boasting operations in new markets across more than 70 countries.

Today, Wang shapes the future of sustainability as a member of the prize jury, bringing industry insight to the evaluation process and exemplifying how past laureates remain engaged in supporting the next generation of innovators.

Another influential recipient is Shi Zhengrong, founder of Suntech Power, who was recognized in 2010.Known globally as the "Sun King", Shi pioneered the commercialization of photovoltaic technology at scale, driving down solar panel costs and making clean energy more accessible. His innovations enabled a new era of renewable power, empowering both emerging and industrialized nations to shift toward clean energy.

The prize recognized Shi's entrepreneurial leadership in accelerating solar adoption. His work exemplifies how technological ingenuity can bridge the gap between industrial and emerging economies in the transition toward alternative sources of energy.

The prize has also honored figures in sustainability policy. Li Junfeng, a 2017 prize winner, played a critical role in shaping China's renewable energy landscape. As the founding director-general of China's National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, Li helped chart the country's path toward becoming the world's largest producer of solar and wind power. His work embedded sustainability into national development planning and influenced international climate cooperation.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize brought global recognition to his decades of public service, affirming the crucial role of long-term policy leadership in achieving climate targets.

China's youth are also emerging as powerful voices for sustainable development. Beijing No 35 High School won the Global High Schools category during the COP28 Awards Ceremony in 2023 for their innovative vacuum glass solar panel project.

Their solution simultaneously generates renewable energy and provides thermal and sound insulation, with potential applications ranging from building integration to emergency electric vehicle charging. This innovation stood out for its practical approach to addressing energy poverty and urban sustainability challenges, offering a replicable model for schools and communities.

Beyond this achievement, the prize has inspired a wave of leadership among young people in China, with institutions such as the Beijing World Youth Academy emerging as 2025 finalists for their sustainability project.

This growing momentum reflects a broader shift toward sustainability-focused learning and hands-on innovation among Chinese students, empowering them to address real-world challenges from the classroom level upward.

These diverse success stories, from government to business, and from established leaders to students, reflect the broad spectrum of sustainability leadership emerging from China.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize has been instrumental in rewarding and accelerating this work, giving winners access to funding, global partnerships, and new platforms for influence. It also provides an important bridge between local action and global recognition, connecting China's sustainability champions to an international network of innovators and changemakers.

As the challenges of climate change, food security, energy transition and resource scarcity continue to grow, the need for bold and inclusive solutions has never been greater. The Zayed Sustainability Prize offers an opportunity for Chinese organizations and high schools to bring their solutions onto the global stage and contribute to building the world's sustainable future.

Applications for the 2026 edition of the prize are open. Chinese organizations working in the fields of health, food, energy, water, or climate action, and high schools with a sustainability-related project idea, are encouraged to apply to the Zayed Sustainability Prize for the chance to share their work with an international audience and connect with a broader community of like-minded individuals.

From government corridors to urban classrooms, Chinese winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize have shown how bold ideas and determined action can deliver lasting global effects. As momentum builds, China's innovators and young leaders are well-placed to bring forward practical solutions that drive progress on the world's most pressing challenges.