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Winners of the Sixth Award (2006)
| Travis Engen |
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Jeremy Leggett |
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Leader Award:
This year’s award goes to Travis Engen, retired President & CEO of Alcan Inc (Alcan). Alcan employs around 65,000 people in 60 countries worldwide. During his tenure from 2001 to 2006, Alcan’s revenues grew from USD 9 billion to USD 20.3 billion and it became the world’s second largest producer of primary aluminum. At the same time he managed to guide Alcan to become a leader among companies dedicated to the principles of sustainable development. Alcan was selected as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the fourth time in five years and named leader in its sector. Alcan’s commitment to sustainability is translating into concrete actions throughout the company. The sharp reduction in Alcan’s greenhouse gas emissions and the comprehensive guidelines for suppliers in the realm of environmental and social standards are just two positive examples of Alcan’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The Canadian company has joined the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary international initiative for businesses promoting the development of a more sustainable global economy. Other milestones in the field of sustainability include Alcan co-chairing the Working Group on Accountability & Reporting at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, as well as the World Economic Forum’s Water Initiative.
Even after retiring from Alcan in March 2006, Travis Engen remains dedicated to the goal of sustainability as he serves as Chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Chairman of the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum.
Pioneer Award:
Jeremy Leggett received the Pioneer Award for his contribution over many years to advancing solar power. In 1997 he founded solarcentury, originally a non-profit organisation for solar-energy advocacy. Today, solarcentury is the UK's largest independent solar electric solutions company with about 60 employees. Jeremy Leggett's company is viewed as one of the most innovative companies in the international solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. Having positioned themselves as independent from manufacturers, they have installed a greater variety of PV systems than other companies of their kind. Their new solar roof tile is a combined PV cell and solar thermal system. Visually, this tile is virtually indistinguishable from normal grey roof tiles. A roof fitted with these innovative tiles is able to generate both heat and electricity. solarcentury is the first provider in the world to offer this clever product combination. solarcentury is making a vital contribution to sustainability, because in the UK more than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions come directly and indirectly from buildings.
As CEO and Chairman of solarcentury, Jeremy Leggett has done a lot to bring alternative energy into the mainstream. BP Solar has now become solarcentury's biggest competitor. While solar energy remains too expensive for the mass market, major corporations such as BP are stepping up their activities and are now starting to target end consumers directly as well.
 
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