THE 2000 SCHUMACHER AWARD RECIPIENTS

Aubrey Meyer

Global Commons Institute

Aubrey Meyer set up his Global Commons Institute (GCI) in 1990, with minimal resources, to campaign to bring the threat of global warming to the attention of the public and to policy makers. For over ten years, with great determination and meticulous attention to scientific detail, he has presented his case counteracting the arguments put forward by corporate interests. Of special significance is his formulation of 'contraction and convergence', a strategy for fairly sharing the rights to emit carbon dioxide worldwide. This is increasingly recognised as the most logical and effective way of preventing climatic catastrophe while promoting justice and equity. It has made an extraordinary impact on the Climate Change Treaty negotiations (see also Briefing No 5).

Honorary Fellow of Royal Institute of British Architects - 2007

For his challenging and inspirational promotion of environmental issues, in particular his development of the concept of Contraction and Convergence. Architects adopted C&C at RIBA Council in 2006 and asked Aubrey to present C&C at their annual conference in October. There, RIBA?s Chairman declared climate change as the dominant agenda for the 21st Century, called for C&C targets and committed RIBA to campaigning for C&C." He was an inspirational speaker at the RIBA?s 2006 Annual Conference in Venice and reported the event as follows;"Meyer, formerly a professional musician, started with a virtuoso performance that was simultaneously moving, terrifying and informative. He played the violin theme to Schindler?s List to images of the environmental holocaust he went on to argue that we face."

The UNEP FI Global Roundtable Financial Leadership Award - 2007

UNEP FI for the first time recognized executives within the financial services who have contributed in a significant manner to the development of financial ideas, innovative products, institutional change and or the carbon markets themselves through the UNEP FI Carbon Leadership Award.

Four executive awards were given for each category of financial services: Banking, Insurance/Reinsurance, Asset Management/Private Banking and Pension Funds. In addition, an award was given for a representative from civil society who had worked towards the same end.

Award winners were selected from a large number of entries by a small group of UNEP FI?s long term climate change advisors. The civil society category award for the most impressive commitment and innovative thinking around climate change and the financial sector with the UNEP FI Carbon Leadership Award went to Aubrey Meyer of the Global Commons Institute.

CONTACT DETAILS

Global Commons Institute (GCI)
37 Ravenswood Road
LONDON E17 9LY
Tel: 0208 520 4742

Platform

Platform, the arts group based in London and the Tidal Thames Valley, has consistently pushed out the boundaries of art in its quest to transform society's view of itself and the wider world. It has mounted a number of inspirational and creative projects combining art, education, energy efficiency and ecology. Recent ongoing projects including 'Delta' - the re-imagining of London's river Wandle delta through the permanent installation of a micro-hydro turbine and a church bell run by the tides, and '90% Crude' focussing on the impact of corporate culture and global trade. PLATFORM is also a founder trustee of RENUE (Renewable Energy in the Urban Environment), which is creating further renewable energy and energy self-sufficiency projects including a solar-powered pub and a solar-assisted school.

First nominated for the Schumacher Award last year, PLATFORM has continued to reach diverse audiences inspiring them to question the given social and ecological realities, and providing opportunities to transform ideas into practical art.

CONTACT DETAILS

PLATFORM
7 Horselydown Lane, Tower Bridge, London SE1 2LN

Tel/Fax: 020 7403 3738
Email: platform@gn.apc.org