ENGINEERINGNET.EU -- At the UN conference for sustainable development, Rio+20, Grundfos received an award for its efforts to improve the living standards of people in some of the world's most disadvantaged communities.
Along with 11 other specially selected organisations and companies, the Danish company was announced winner of the World Business and Development Awards (WBDA).
The award recognises innovative business models that deliver both commercial success and help improve social, economic or environmental conditions.
The winning water systems have been specifically designed to deliver sustainable drinking water in both urban and rural areas in developing countries.
The system consists of quality pumps driven by solar energy as well as an innovative service platform with an automatic payment system and remote surveillance.
Since 2009, Grundfoshas implemented clean drinking water supply systems for 100,000 people in Kenya. Now, the company expands its activities in a number of countries in Africa and Asia.
"The award winners show that companies can help boost sustainable growth and development. They can be a tremendous source of innovative and sustainable solutions which help transform people's lives for the better", says Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator.
BACKGROUND
Celebrating a decade of biennial award giving, the World Business and Development Awards is organised by International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Netherland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UN Global Compact.
The awards demonstrate how companies, through their core business activities, can help achieve the Millennium Development Goals - eight internationally agreed targets to reduce poverty and environmental degradation.
