Masdar's 4th annual ‘Engage' Blogging Contest calls for ideas to get business and government working more closely on climate change issues

The winner will join the international global sustainability debate at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, January 16-23, 2016

Abu Dhabi, UAE: December 23, 2015 - Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s Renewable Energy Company, has launched the fourth annual international ‘Engage’ Blogging Contest ahead of January’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2016 – the Middle East’s largest gathering on sustainability. Under the theme “The Transition to a Sustainable Economy by 2030,” the competition asks contestants to discuss their views on how governments and the private sector can collaborate to solve the risks posed by climate change.

This digital debate specifically seeks a response to the question: “In your view, what are the policies governments should adopt to encourage public-private partnership and enable the private sector to develop the goods and services necessary for a global transition to a sustainable economy by 2030?”

The writer of the winning entry will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Abu Dhabi and will be Masdar’s guest VIP blogger during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. In addition to visiting Masdar City, Masdar’s projects within the Emirate, and top tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi, the winner will have the opportunity to network with the estimated 35,000 sustainability professionals expected to attend ADSW.

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Masdar’s Director of Sustainability, said: “In light of the landmark agreement reached at the COP21 talks in Paris, and the ongoing worldwide discussion on climate change, we’d like to give even more people the opportunity to have their voice heard. The world needs more ideas on how to limit climate change this century to within 2°C, and we are excited to announce our fourth annual blogging contest that will encourage the free exchange of new and innovative ideas.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity, whether the contestant is a university student or a seasoned professional,” Dr Nawal added. “Previous winners have included a university professor, architect and an inventor, so people of all backgrounds should feel welcome to participate in the ‘Engage’ Blogging Contest.”

Last year’s international blogging contest received more than 100 entries from 35 countries, sparking worldwide discussion of sustainability issues in advance of the 2015 ADSW.

To enter, ‘Engage’ Blogging Contest participants should write a post on their own blog with a link to Masdar’s Engage page, or alternatively, for those who do not have a blog, submissions can be sent to press@masdar.ae. A judging panel will review qualifying entries based on quality; the number of votes it receives via the Masdar website; and the level of social media support the post wins. The competition closes on 4 January, 2016, at midnight Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5 Hours).