South Australia has unveiled the Low Carbon Entrepreneur’s Prize as part of its Adelaide to Zero Carbon Challenge – a new program aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, generating sustainable business opportunities and ensuring Adelaide is a showcase city for renewables and clean technology.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill announced the details of the prize at Carnegie Mellon University’s Energy Week conference in Pittsburgh, United States.
Mr Weatherill said a total of $250,000 in seed funding will be on offer to the best minds – locally, nationally and internationally – to develop ideas covering energy, transport, waste and liveability.
“We want bold ideas that will help establish new jobs and new industries in South Australia while helping make Adelaide the world’s first carbon neutral city.
“This funding will help entrepreneurs flesh out their ideas, create prototypes and help get their ideas to market.”
Any successful proposal from overseas will be required to partner with a South Australian organisation to deliver their project.
Mr Weatherill emphasised the international nature of the prize.
“This event attracts leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in the renewable energy field, and we want to get the message out far and wide that we’re ready to hear ideas from people the world over.”
The start of Adelaide’s Zero Carbon Challenge follows last year’s agreement between the State Government and the Adelaide City Council to make Adelaide the world’s first carbon neutral city.
“This is the philosophy behind the Adelaide to Zero Carbon Challenge – to seek out the ideas and develop the innovative solutions that will help the State capture that investment,” Mr Weatherill said.
Further initiatives under the Adelaide to Zero Carbon Challenge will be announced over the coming months.