The VELUX Group and Schwarzenegger Celebrate Best Sustainable Solution

The Sustainia Award Ceremony will celebrate 100 global solutions gathered from 56 countries spread over six continents. The nominees each represent innovative and scalable solutions instrumental in creating sustainable societies. The VELUX Group is represented by the Model Home 2020 project, consisting of six carbon-neutral buildings with high livability.

"It's a privilege to be part of this cluster of visionary global companies sharing the same idea of leading the way to a better, healthier and richer world through sustainable products and actions," says Senior Vice-President, Michael K. Rasmussen of the VELUX Group.

Arnold Schwarzenegger will award one solution of the 100 with the honorary Sustainia Award as recognition of its significant contribution to the field of sustainability, in particular its ability to scale and elevate sustainable societies.

The winner will be chosen from ten finalists found after a close scrutiny of the 100 nominees. They form a strong field of contestants, representing outstanding solutions from clothing recycling and clean cookers to sustainable supermarkets and UV water-filtering. Each finalist represents one of the 10 nomination categories; health, resources, energy, education, IT, fashion, food, cities, transport and buildings.

Prominent panel of judges

Joining Schwarzenegger in Copenhagen are former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard. Each of the three speakers has exten-sive experience and has made a significant impact on the global sustainability agenda. Together with IPCC Chair Dr Rajendra K. Pachauri they form the panel of judges for the Sus-tainia Award.

The Sustainia Award was founded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, together with communications platform Sustainia and Scandinavia's leading independent think tank, Monday Morning, to raise awareness of the many tangible, sustainable solutions available across sectors and markets. The VELUX Group is a knowledge partner of Sustainia.

The Sustainia Award Show takes place at the historic Royal Theatre in Copenhagen.

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About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. The Group also supplies many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar collectors for installation in roofs. The VELUX Group, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, represents one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com.

About Model Home 2020
Model Home 2020 is an experiment launched by the VELUX Group as part of our strategy to take an active part in developing sustainable buildings for the future. It is our vision of how future buildings can be both climate-neutral and comfortable and attractive places to live in through daylight and fresh air. The project is in full accordance with the next generation of design principles frequently referred to as 'active house' (www.activehouse.org). The objec-tive is to achieve a balance between energy efficiency and optimal indoor climate with a building that dynamically adjusts to its surroundings and yet is climate-neutral.

Model Home 2020 comprises six demonstration projects. The two experiments in Denmark were built in a partnership between the VELUX Group and VELFAC. Each of the Model Home projects was implemented in close cooperation with local and regional partners, suppliers, architects, engineers and researchers.

About Sustainia
Sustainia is a global initiative that demonstrates the desirable societies we could live in if ready and available solutions were to be implemented on a large scale. Developed by world leading companies, organisations and experts, in close collaboration with UN Global Compact and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's initiative Regions20, Sustainia is the first holistic approach to an attractive sustainable future.

Contact
Ghita Borring
Head of Media Relations
The VELUX Group
Telephone: +45 45 16 40 00
Direct: +45 45 1648 08
Mobile: +45 51 14 08 87
E-mail: ghita.borring@VELUX.com