.
Yesterday, at the RSB Annual Conference 2024, held at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, we proudly announced the winners of the inaugural RSB Transition Leaders’ Awards: Solidaridad East and Central Africa and Topsoe.
The awards ceremony concluded a day of dynamic discussions and sessions focused on accelerating sustainable finance and innovation, held in partnership with Airbus, Amazon, Boeing, Gevo Inc. and IFF. As the audience of sustainability champions gathered, we celebrated not only the outstanding contributions of all 19 nominees but also the vision and leadership exemplified by this year’s winners, represented by Rachel Wanyoike and Sylvain Verdier.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the inaugural RSB Transition Award, a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Solidaridad East & Central Africa team, our partners, and the communities we serve. This recognition highlights that transitioning to a sustainable bioeconomy is not just an opportunity but an urgent necessity. Our heartfelt thanks to the RSB members for continually championing sustainable systemic change and for this incredible acknowledgment.” – Rachel Wanyoike, Managing Director of Solidaridad Network’s East and Central Africa
The RSB Transition Leaders’ Awards reflect RSB’s mission to drive collaborative action, inspire innovation, and scale solutions for a sustainable bioeconomy. This year’s winners stood out for their groundbreaking contributions to environmental and social sustainability:
- Topsoe: A global leader in renewable energy, Topsoe’s innovations have advanced the low-carbon transition in fuel and chemical production, setting new benchmarks for sustainability in the industry.
- Solidaridad East and Central Africa: Their project has empowered smallholders and stakeholders across the region to adopt sustainable practices, delivering tangible progress where it matters most.
.
Rachel Wanyoike from Solidaridad East and Central Africa, and Sylvain Verdier from Topsoe
.
“Developing this award and working to bring this from 19 amazing entries to our two exceptional entries has been a true highlight of my career! Celebrating the impactful work of our members, including our extraordinary winners Solidaridad East and Central Africa and Topsoe, inspires us all to push boundaries for a sustainable future. I’m already looking forward to 2025, with exciting plans for more categories and opportunities to recognise sustainability leadership,” said Hannah Walker, RSB’s Deputy Executive Director.
The six shortlisted finalists, including the two winners, have been nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize, further amplifying their recognition and impact. The shortlisted finalists for the 2024 RSB Transition Leaders’ Awards are:
- Solidaridad East and Central Africa Expertise Centre
- CENER (National Renewable Energy Centre)
- Celtic Renewables
- Nuseed
- Soleum
- Topsoe
.
RSB Chair of RSB Board, Adam Klauber, with the winners.
.
These awards highlight the transformative power of innovation in addressing global challenges, including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. By honouring these leaders, RSB reinforces its commitment to fostering impactful solutions that align with the RSB Principles & Criteria.
Congratulations to Solidaridad East and Central Africa, Topsoe, and all the finalists for their exceptional achievements. Learn more about their winning projects and other finalists on our website here.
Let us celebrate these pioneers, who are not only redefining sustainability but also inspiring a global movement towards a truly sustainable bioeconomy. We look forward to growing this award with new categories and plans for 2025. Stay tuned!
.
.