After the success of last year's event, the European Parliament has again decided to act as host this year for the international Energy Globe award. On May 26 the parliament's Plenary Hall in Brussels will re-open its doors for this environmental mega-event, where renowned speakers honour the international project winners in five categories: earth, fire, air, water and youth.

According to a spokesman for the Austrian organisation Energy Globe: "It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that in the future our young people will find an environment that is worthy to live in.

"This was the driving force that made Wolfgang Neumann start the Energy Globe award, the world award for sustainability nine years ago, today's most prestigious and acclaimed environmental award. Energy Globe aims to inform the international public on as many sustainable, reproducible projects as possible." The Energy Globe is awarded to projects from all over the world that make careful and economic use of resources and employ alternative energy sources. The award ceremony is broadcast by international TV stations reaching 2.5 billion households worldwide. This year, 853 projects from 109 countries, including Malta, were submitted.

The international jury is chaired by Maneka Gandhi, Indian Environmental Minister from 1989-1991 and a founding member of 'People for Animals' India's largest animal welfare organisation and other prestigious environmental/animal protection groups. She is a regular columnist, creator and presenter of TV shows on animal-related issues and patron of Worldwide Fund for Nature.

Nominations for the Energy Globe awards can be submitted by individuals, companies, multinationals, innovators, organisations, NGOs, associations, communities, cities and even governments. The World Energy Globe award in each category is endowed with €10,000. Winners are also presented a 17 kg bronze statue and a certificate.