IAEA Net Zero Challenge

Announcement of Finalists

The IAEA Net Zero Challenge selection process has now been completed. After careful consideration of the submissions received, we are happy to announce the following finalists (in alphabetical order, by country):

• Mr. Heejong Yoo, Mr. Siyun Lee, Mr. Sungmin Yang (Korea, Republic of)
  • "A new planned city to net zero. Policy recommendations for a transition to a net zero with nuclear power and renewable energy"
• Ms. Deborah Oluwakemi Selemon (Nigeria)
  • "Policies to employ nuclear energy alongside other low-carbon energy technologies in Nigeria to accelerate the race to net zero"
• Ms. Olga Sukhorukova, Mr. Egor Sagachev, Ms. Juliya Fateeva (Russia)
  • “Fostering nuclear, renewable and hydrogen energy for low-carbon development of Russia”
• Ms. Claire Li, Ms. Komal Prashar, Ms. Linda Zheng (Singapore)
  • “Nuclear produced hydrogen for the decarbonisation of the maritime industry”
• Mr. Oliver Marshall, Mr. Angus Wylie, Mr. Emre Yildirim (United Kingdom)
  • “Advanced Modular Forests”
• Mr. Samuel Johnson, Mr. Prabhat Hedge, Mr. Dan Moneghan, Mr. Colton Smith (United States)
  • "Zero-emission credits to support nuclear’ s role in the decarbonization of the electric power industry"

Papers from the IAEA Net Zero Challenge finalists are archived here, on INIS.

The six finalists will be presenting their ideas at the ‘IAEA Net Zero Challenge: Meet the Finalists’ event, to be held on September 20 at 15.00 CET, on the sidelines of the 65th General Conference. During this hybrid event, the Selection Committee will select the winner of the Net Zero Challenge, who will be offered an opportunity to attend an IAEA event at the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Should the Covid-19 pandemic situation disrupt this plan, an alternative reward will be provided to the winner. All six finalists will be awarded certificates signed by an IAEA senior official, recognizing their efforts in analyzing and making policy suggestions for low carbon energy systems transition. 

Purpose

Concrete and innovative policy recommendations are needed for an accelerated transition to net zero economy and young people should be involved in their development, as the new generation will continue defining and building a better future for all. The IAEA Net Zero Challenge is aimed at encouraging young people to take an active role in developing policies that concern their future.

The challenge invites people aged from 18 to 35 to propose policy recommendations which focus on creating an enabling environment for increased use of nuclear power and other low-carbon energy technologies. They will be asked to answer the question: “How can nuclear energy alongside other low carbon sources help your country or region to achieve their net zero targets?” through clear and concise policy recommendations.

Description

Focus: This multidisciplinary competition targets young students and professionals from different areas related to energy sector. It focuses on encouraging early engagement of the next generation in defining the role of nuclear and other low-carbon energy technologies for accelerated transition to net zero energy systems. Interested participants are called to submit their proposals in the form of a paper describing their policy recommendations and explaining how implementation of such policies would accelerate progress of their country or region to net zero.

Format: The submission format will consist of a short paper in English language of around 1000 words, plus an abstract of 150 words.  The use of visuals in the paper is encouraged. The paper should include appropriate references to the sources used.  The paper should be submitted as a Word document (.docx) and should be accompanied, in a separate attachment, by the CV/Resume of the participant(s). Submissions for the IAEA Net Zero Challenge should be sent to: NetZero.Challenge@iaea.org by August 23, 23:59 CEST.

Submissions not complying to these guidelines and submitted beyond the deadline will not be evaluated. After evaluation the five finalists will be invited to present their policy recommendations in the format of five-minute video pitches at a virtual event during the IAEA General Conference in September 2021. Creativity of presentation is strongly encouraged and the video pitches from the finalists should be clear, appealing and engaging.

Teamwork or individual participation: Participants can prepare and present their projects individually or in teams (not more than four people per team are allowed). The teams must select a representative that will present a pitch if the submission is selected as finalist. This team representative will also be the one awarded if selected as the winner of the IAEA Net Zero challenge.

Evaluation criteria: Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Innovation and creativity: the submitted work should be innovative, combining in-depth analysis, background text with necessary explanations, and concise policy recommendations.
• Research: relevance, quality, and reliability of policy analysis.
• Logic: the depth of thinking behind the policy recommendations and its logical structure.
• Originality: submission should be an original work and include appropriate referencing.

Evaluation process: A panel consisting of IAEA experts and partners will select the top five papers to pitch at a virtual side event during the IAEA General Conference in September 2021. The five finalists will present in a format of 5-minute video pitches. During this virtual side event the winner of the IAEA Net Zero Challenge will be selected. Register here to meet the finalists! →

Award: The winner will be offered an opportunity to attend the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow, UK. Should the Covid-19 pandemic situation disrupt this plan, an alternative reward will be provided to the winner. The five finalists will be awarded the certificates signed by the IAEA senior official recognizing their efforts in analysing and making policy suggestions for low-carbon energy systems transition.