The Paulson Institute and Tsinghua University today announced the formal launch of the sixth Paulson Prize for Sustainability. The Paulson Prize, initiated in 2013, is awarded annually to a project in China that represents an innovative, scalable, and market-based solution at the intersection of economics and the environment. NGOs, local governments, businesses, and research institutions in China are encouraged to nominate a project.
While China has experienced remarkable economic growth over the past 40 years, this break-neck growth has taken a toll on the environment, natural resources, and the ecosystem. In the last few years, the Chinese government has prioritized ecological restoration and pushed aggressively for coordinated economic growth and environmental protection. To further this sustainable agenda, the Institute launched the Paulson Prize to recognize and inspire the spread of environmental and economic solutions to the challenges of China’s economic transformation.
“Since 2013, we have highlighted creative approaches which can serve as models throughout China, and potentially the rest of the world. From new models of recycling, to better energy efficiencies, to cleaner air and water, we have sought to reward and recognize some of the most innovative sustainability projects in China today,” said Paulson Institute Chairman Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
“I am very pleased to launch the 6th Paulson Prize for Sustainability. I hope the Paulson Institute and Tsinghua University can help promote sustainable development worldwide by jointly rewarding innovative sustainability practices in China,” said Chen Xu, Chair of the Tsinghua University Council.
The winner of the Paulson Prize is evaluated and selected by an independent jury committee composed of prominent American and Chinese leaders in the fields of economics, finance, energy, and ecology. The jury committee will evaluate submissions against the award’s criteria in terms of five dimensions: environmental impact, creativity, financing mechanism, scalability, and social co-benefits. The jury will then visit and inspect the finalist projects and ultimately select the winning project.
“Each year, the jury looks most favorably upon innovative projects that result in tangible environmental benefits, can be replicated or scaled, and ideally involve collaboration across sectors, such as a partnership between government, business, academia and/or NGOs,” said Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has served as Jury Committee Chairman since the Paulson Prize was launched.
Since 2013, the Paulson Prize has been awarded to five projects in China: Nanhu Country Village project in Jiaxing, Zhejiang (2013); International Low-Carbon City Project in Shenzhen (2014); Beijing Anheng Group’s Sustainable City Water Supply Network Leakage Control Solution project (2015); Beijing Goldenway Bio-tech (BGB) Company’s organic waste recycling and farmland quality improvement project in Chengdu (2017); and Danfer China Green Technology’s Castor-Based Green Lubricating Oil project in Jinhua, Zhejiang (2018).
The sixth Paulson Prize will focus on projects dealing with urban environment, circular economy, natural capital, as well as other projects that contribute to the balance between economic development and environmental protection. Nominated projects should be already implemented or completed, and should provide relevant facts and data that demonstrate their impact.
The nomination deadline for the sixth Paulson Prize will be May 17, 2019. The application form can be downloaded from the Paulson Institute website at paulsoninstitute.org/Prize. Any questions regarding the Prize can be directed to prize@paulsoninstitute.org.
Media contact: Tina Ren, tren@paulsoninstitute.org
About the Paulson Institute
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, independent “think and do tank” dedicated to fostering a US-China relationship that serves to maintain global order in a rapidly evolving world. Our focus on US-China is dictated by the reality that it is the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world. We often operate at the intersection of economics, financial markets, environmental protection, and policy advocacy, in part by promoting balanced and sustainable economic growth. Founded in 2011 by former Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the Institute is based in Chicago with offices in Washington and Beijing.
About Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University was established in 1911. With the motto of “Self-Discipline and Social Commitment” and the spirit of “Actions Speak Louder than Words”, Tsinghua University is dedicated to the well-being of Chinese society and to world development. At present, the university has 14 schools and 56 departments with faculties in science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art. The University has now over 25,900 students, including 13,100 undergraduates and 12,800 graduate students. As one of China’s most renowned universities, Tsinghua has become an important institution for fostering talent and scientific research.