• Created by the Aspen Global Leadership Network, the six Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards recognize and reward excellence for those making a real contribution to innovation, implementation, and communication of energy and environmental solutions.  The object of each award is to celebrate success and provoke intellectually stimulating and productive thinking and conversations about ways to emulate and expand upon the success stories honored.

    "In these challenging economic times it is more important than ever to recognize and support those who inspire us with their imagination, foresight and creativity, and give us all something to aspire to and replicate," said Lucy P. Marcus, CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting and Co-founder and Board Chair of the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards.

    Watch video introducing the awards and follow along live as the winners are announced.

  • The 2009 Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards winners and finalists are:

    Corporate Energy Generation

    • Winner:  A123 Systems
    • Finalists:  GridPoint; Blue Water Wind; Amyris Biotechnology; and BrightSource

    Corporate Energy Efficiency

    • Winner:  Wal-Mart
    • Finalists:  Green Plug, Inc.; Masdar; Recycled Energy Development; and Reva Electric Car Company

    Government

    • Winner:  Province of Alberta’s Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative
    • Finalists:   California Hydrogen Highway Network; State of Texas State Energy Conservation Office Colonias Project; Central Vermont Public Service Corporation Cow Power Program; and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Power Naturally Program

    Non-governmental Organization

    • Winner:  Confederation of Indian Industry – Sohrabji Green Business Center
    • Finalists:  Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE; Integrated CO2 Network; Shaanxi Volunteer Mothers Association for Environmental Protection; and Sustainable South Bronx


    Visual Art and Design

    • Winner:  The Extreme Ice Survey
    • Finalists:  Paper Tube Structures by Shigeru Ban Architects; Building Dashboard by Lucid Design Group; The Canary Project by Susannah Sayler; and Alumnae Valley at Wellesley College by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates


    Individual Thought Leadership

    • Winner:  Van Jones
    • Finalists:  Robin Chase, CEO Meadow Networks; Professor Gretchen Daily, Stanford University; Denis Hayes, President & CEO Bullitt Foundation; and Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, Founder and CTO, Suniva

    “We are delighted with this year’s award finalists and nominees they represent some of the most cutting edge thinkers and organizations from around the world, and their work helps to challenge and expand the way we think about vital issues around energy and the environment in all areas,” said Lucy P. Marcus, CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting and Co-founder and Board Chair of the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards. See the awards criteria.

  • The 2009 Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards are Sponsored by: