Namibian start-up Kelp Blue which is based in Luderitz has won the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the United Arab Emirates’ pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award which was announced at COP 28.
Kelp Blue was finalist in the new climate action category, introduced to mark the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ and the hosting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) UAE.
The award is reportedly worth US$ 600 000.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, initiated by the UAE in 2008, recognizes impactful sustainable solutions in Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Honoring the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it has celebrated 106 winners, positively impacting over 378 million lives worldwide in 15 years.
“We could not be more thrilled and honoured to be recognized for our commitment to and impact we are having on combating climate change by boosting ocean health and sequestering Carbon.
“We’re humbled to stand alongside remarkable finalists like CarbonCure Technologies and the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability, both contributing significantly to sustainable solutions in concrete production and Amazon conservation,” the start-up said in a social media post.
Innovative Solutions for a Global Challenge
Kelp Blue, founded in 2020, is at the forefront of sustainable innovation, specializing in the cultivation of giant kelp. With its primary operations based in Luderitz, Namibia. Kelp Blue is committed to addressing global challenges such as climate change, marine biodiversity loss and job creation. Kelp Blue recognizes the transformative power of inspiration in fostering positive change. By cultivating giant kelp, the company seeks to restore marine biodiversity, promote carbon sequestration, support a healthier ocean ecosystem, inspire a global shift towards sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Kelp Blue’s unique approach involves cultivating giant kelp forests and using only the canopy to produce biostimulants. These products empower farmers to reduce synthetic fertilizer while boosting plant resilience to climate stress and increasing yields.
At the heart of Kelp Blue’s success are four key ‘Returns’: Nature, where they prioritize planetary health and biodiversity; Social, ensuring positive impact in every operation; Inspiration, driving transformative change; and Finance, aimed at exceptional shareholder returns to amplify their impact.
Advantages of Giant Kelp
Giant kelp, one of the fastest-growing organisms, offers diverse applications in a multitude of products from pharmaceuticals to textiles, and more. Kelp Blue’s cultivation approach requires no fertilizers, pesticides, land, or freshwater.
Recognition of Other Finalists
The Zayed Sustainability Prize also recognized the remarkable achievements of finalists CarbonCure Technologies and the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability. CarbonCure Technologies is spearheading concrete solutions that significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions in the built environment, revolutionizing concrete production into a network of carbon removal factories.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability, operating in Brazil’s Amazon region, has made significant strides in conservation, community development, and reducing deforestation, marking 15 years of impactful initiatives.
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