The Sharjah Sustainability Award (SSA) has initiated the evaluation phase for projects submitted in various domains as part of its twelfth cycle.

Organised annually by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), this year’s competition features 165 projects across two main categories: schools and universities. The schools’ category received 101 project submissions, while the universities’ category saw 64 entries.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of EPAA, commented, "The Sharjah Sustainability Award aims to promote the concept of a sustainable green environment, inspired by the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. It emphasises the importance of sustainable development through the protection of environmental resources, wildlife, and the conservation of biodiversity in Sharjah."

Al Suwaidi stated that the award fosters a spirit of competition among students, inspiring them to find and implement alternative solutions that contribute to a sustainable future. This initiative strengthens environmental awareness and empowers the foundation of sustainable development within educational institutions.

The submitted projects reveal a diverse range of sustainability focus areas. The projects in the schools’ category cover energy and water rationalisation, environmental innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), creative writing, films, and green school initiatives.

The universities’ projects focus on sustainable design and construction, scientific research in sustainability for both undergraduate and graduate levels, future energy and emissions, applications of AI for sustainability, environmental resource conservation, and human and environmental health protection.