Abu Dhabi: Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and the Arab Youth Center (AYC) have launched the nationwide ‘UAE Youth Green Challenge.’
The initiative aims to encourage university students in the UAE to create innovative solutions for decarbonizing the building sector. It comes ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change (COP28), which is set to take place in Dubai Expo City from November 30 to 12 December.
According to the World Economic Forum, young people are leading the way in climate action and sustainability, with almost 70 percent of people in the 16 to 25 age group globally expressing serious worries about environmental problems. Realizing this, Schneider Electric and the Arab Youth Center have joined forces to engage with top UAE universities to tackle climate change issues.
Under the UAE Youth Green Challenge, students have the opportunity to develop innovative strategies and solutions to reduce carbon emissions associated with the building sector.
Six main criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions: Innovation and Creativity, Environmental Impact, Feasibility and Scalability, Potential for Implementation, Communication and Presentation, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration. The deadline for the submissions is November 12, a total of six teams will be shortlisted and will advance to the final round, where they will be assessed by a panel of expert judges.
Ms. Asli Cakir, Gulf Vice President of Human Resources, Schneider Electric, remarked that, “At Schneider Electric, sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and the ‘UAE Youth Green Challenge’ not only empowers students to gain valuable knowledge and skills but also invites them to actively contribute to a more sustainable future. Youth is a priority theme at COP28 and deservedly so, and we are excited to witness the innovation and passion that the country’s youth will bring to the table.”
This competition is part of an ongoing collaboration between Schneider Electric and AYC. Both parties inked an agreement in May 2022 that underlines the scope of cooperation in areas like upskilling, training, and mentorship on topics related to sustainability, technology, and youth empowerment.