The essay competition is run in association with the European Academy of Business in Society (EABIS), Hewlett-Packard (HP) and WWF. Jonathan Alexander, a Masters student from the University of Bath, was awarded first place, with Luc Petit from Ashridge Business School placing second and Srikanth Madani from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland coming third.
The award searches for the best ideas from MBA and other post-graduate students on sustainable innovation and creating value from the shift to a low carbon economy. Jonathan receives the top prize of €7,000 for his entry and will be presented with his award by Jöran Hägglund, State Secretary, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy, and Communications, at the EU Presidency conference 'Eco-efficient Economy - Towards Innovative and Sustainable Competitiveness' held in Linköping, Sweden on 2 November 2009.
His winning entry, “How can organisations innovate to create value from the shift to a low carbon economy” explores the imperative for innovation that is modelled on creating what is needed, rather than what will make money. His inspiring essay concludes, “The kind of innovation…that will truly lead to a low-carbon economy, is not just the one that is necessary to create a sustainable future, it is also the most fun to be involved in. If that combination isn’t about creating value, I don’t know what is.”
“HP is delighted to support the Ashridge Sustainable Innovation Award,” says Gabriele Zedlmayer, Vice President, HP Global Citizenship and Social Innovation. “We believe it is very important for students not just to think about the sustainability challenges that await them when they enter their professions, but also to recognise the opportunities that they have to actively contribute to a low carbon economy.”
As part of this award WWF visited key partner universities of HP and EABIS in the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom in winter 2008 and in 2009 to engage tomorrow's leaders in discussions about innovation for a sustainable future. Around 500 students participated in the lectures and workshops that have taken place to date.
A publication with all shortlisted entries can be downloaded from www.ashridge.org.uk/SustainableInnovation