Al Gore gifts Zayed price money for UN drive

Gore was awarded the ZFEP for his commitment to raise international awareness about the dangers of climate change last January

By Staff Reporter

Published: Mon 29 Jun 2015, 12:04 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 3:09 PM

Al Gore. -KT file photo

Abu Dhabi - Former US vice-president Al Gore has donated $500,000 prize money he received from the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on him by Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) to provide critical funding to the UN Climate Change Conference, COP21, climate action campaign, run by the Climate Reality Project.

Gore was awarded the ZFEP for his commitment to raise international awareness about the dangers of climate change last January.

The Zayed Award is now receiving nominations for its 2016 cycle, which may be submitted online at zfepentry.com/2016/newentry until June 30. ZFEP recognises pioneers in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable development, being awarded to large corporations, small and medium sized enterprises, schools and individuals who make a real impact in combating climate change.

Al Gore established the Climate Reality Project in 2006 to train volunteers to highlight the effects of climate change and ways to address it. The project is launching a Road-to-Paris campaign to urge the global community to cut emissions and accelerate the planet-wide shift to clean energy at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21.

The summit, that will seek to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate action, will be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11.

Al Gore has used the ZFEP money to aid the Climate Reality Project’s core campaign work by financing branch offices in eight key countries – Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Philippines, South Africa and United States . He has also funded four Climate Reality Leadership Corps training sessions held in India, Canada and the United States. -reporters@khalejtimes.com