Climate solutions for low-income and marginalised communities celebrated as winners of 2025 Ashden Awards announced

The 2025 Ashden Awards recognised six organisations from the UK and Global South last night for their efforts in creating climate solutions for low-income and marginalised communities.

The Ashden Awards are an annual event honouring organisations working on sustainable projects. This year marked the event’s 25th anniversary. All of the winners of the 2025 Ashden Awards focus on bringing clean energy solutions to households, healthcare and small enterprises.

Ashden’s Award winners are the motive force propelling that just transition forward

Ashden CEO Dr Ashok Sinah (pictured) said in his speech: “Ashden’s Award winners are the motive force propelling that just transition forward, bringing every aspect into view – the destination of a zero carbon, regenerative world in a way that lifts the common spirit, increases social equity and restores human dignity and that is something truly worth celebrating.”
 

Hosted at the Royal Geographical Society in London on 11 June 2025, the event hosts announced winners in two categories. Four organisations received the Outstanding Achievement Award and two were named as Breaking Barriers Award winners. A panel of judges including academics, investors, journalists and business leaders examined the entries and conducted interviews to determine the award finalists and winners. 

In addition to monetary prizes of up to £25,000, the event brings publicity to the organisations and provides them with the opportunity to connect with other climate leaders, funders and investors.  

The winners

Outstanding Achievement Awards, UK

Described by Ashden as “past champions who’ve really scaled up and made incredible achievements”.

• Repowering London: Based in Brixton, the former 2016 Ashden Award winner has a community-centered approach to bringing clean energy across London. According to its website, the company’s projects since its start in 2011 include installing over 1,000 Kilowatts of solar energy, upgrading homes to be more energy efficient and educating young people about the climate and clean energy. 
• Cotality: Also a past Ashden Award winner, Cotality uses data analysis from a software technology it developed to advise homeowners, landlords and local authorities on how they can create energy-efficient homes.

Outstanding Achievement Awards, Global South

Described by Ashden as “past champions who’ve really scaled up and made incredible achievements”.

• BURN Manufacturing: Launched in 2011 in Kenya, BURN Manufacturing makes and sells electric induction stoves in Africa. The company was first awarded an Ashden Award in 2015 for its low-emission cookstoves and has since grown from selling about 60,000 cookstoves to over 5m total. BURN Manufacturing is looking to expand to several other African countries in the coming years. 
• SELCO, India: The now three-time Ashden Award winner sells solar systems, including lamps and cookstoves, to rural communities in India. According to its website, SELCO’s solution-driven initiatives aim to improve health, education and livelihoods in an affordable way using solar technology. 

Breaking Barriers Award, UK

Described by Ashden as “innovative climate solutions that are not previous winners of an Ashden Award”. The winner of this award received a grant of £15,000.

• Emergent Energy: A first-time Ashden Award winner, Emergent Energy is bringing rooftop solar to flats in London and around the UK. The company is focused on reducing carbon emissions and energy bills, bringing solar energy to people living in flats. 

Breaking Barriers Award, Global South

Described by Ashden as “innovative climate solutions that are not previous winners of an Ashden Award”. The winner of this award received a grant of £25,000.

• Sosai Renewable Energies: Also a solar company, Sosai Renewable Energies is bringing renewable energy solutions to Northern Nigeria. The company was started in response to indoor fires that were creating serious health effects. It now partners with agencies to bring solar energy to medical facilities. 

Top image: The 2025 Ashden Awards winners (credit: Andy Aitchison/Ashden)