Pioneering organisations based in India, London, China and Wales have been shortlisted in the Sustainable Buildings category for the Ashden UK and International Awards.

The Ashden Awards are a globally recognised measure of excellence in the field of sustainable energy and winners receive tailored support to help scale up their work and a prize of between £10,000 and £30,000.

Going head to head in the International Awards are Landsea – one of China’s leading developers of green buildings with over 150 patents in building technologies – and Indian architectural practice Abhikram who have retrofitted and preserved everything from historic palaces and temples to modern houses and hotels.

Abhikram seamlessly blends sustainability and energy efficiency with beautiful design by using techniques like lime washing and passive phase cooling and heating. With over half of China’s total energy consumption coming from the construction and operation of buildings, Landsea are reducing carbon emissions by installing insulation, efficient air conditioning systems and ventilation systems as standard.

In the UK, Brecon-based Tŷ-Mawr Lime Ltd specialises in breathable LABC registered systems for floor, wall and roof insulation which are specially designed to be retrofitted to historic buildings, saving energy without the risk of damaging them, as well as to newly built houses.

Joyce Gervis, Managing Director of Tŷ-Mawr Lime Ltd, said: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for an Ashden Award. It fuels our passion to continue to develop, improve and implement our range of sustainable insulation systems, all of which use natural, recyclable and sustainable materials. It is encouraging to know that small businesses like ours really can make a difference and play a significant part in helping the UK move towards a low-carbon economy.”

One of the organisations they are up against is the Greater London Authority whose RE:FIT initiative is the Mayor of London’s innovative scheme to reduce carbon emissions in Greater London by helping public sector organisations improve the energy performance of their buildings. RE:FIT supports these organisations by providing a simple tendering framework, expert advice and connections with funders. Established in 2008, the programme has already enabled over £5 million energy bill savings per annum.

Matthew Pencharz, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy said: “I’m delighted that RE:FIT has been shortlisted for this award in recognition of the Mayor’s commitment to reduce London’s carbon footprint. The scheme has seen great success since its creation, retrofitting over 600 of London’s public sector buildings and now generating estimated CO² savings over 30,400 tonnes a year and saving taxpayers £6 million a year in energy bills.”

Sarah Butler-Sloss, Ashden’s Founder Director, said: “This year’s shortlist is one of our most exciting ever and the enterprises and programmes that have made it this far are amazing leaders at the very forefront of a low carbon future.”

The 2016 Ashden Awards will be presented at a prestigious ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London on Thursday 9 June.