Elizabeth Haub Prize for Environmental Diplomacy is one of the world?s most famous prizes in field of environment, and is granted by Elizabeth Haub Foundations for Environmental Policy and Law and The International Council of Environmental Law).

In recognition of her efforts in the international environmental policy, and her contributions to motivate International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) choosing Emirate of Abu Dhabi to host its headquarter, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of International Cooperation and Development, has received Elizabeth Haub Prize for Environmental Diplomacy for 2012 in Milan, Italy.

On the 29 June 2009 the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was designated as the interim seat of the Agency. At the First Session of the IRENA Assembly in April 2011 Abu Dhabi was announced as the permanent seat of IRENA, making it the first intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in the Middle East. IRENA?s permanent headquarter is being built in Masdar City dedicated to the development of sustainable energy on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.  The Agency?s offices are currently located in Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi.

This award is seen as a proof that UAE is playing a lead role in the world towards a sustainable and clean world. Speaking on the occasion Sheikha Lubna lauded the UAE achievement in developing and preserving the environment as a result of the philosophy of late president and founder of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan followed by other rulers and ministers.  She added that UAE has launched many creative initiatives in Environment Preservation measures to achieve the environmental sustainability and protecting the Bio-diversity, inside and outside of the country.

The establishing of Masdar City, the world?s first carbon free city, launching of Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are the examples in this regard. UAE also launched Zayed Future Energy Prize, which is considered the world?s biggest prize that contributes to motivate the innovations and researches in field of renewable energy.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi added that the total UAE foreign aid in 2012 has reached US$ 1.59 billion, and 11% of this about US$ 173 million, was allocated to support projects of renewable energy and preserving the environment in many countries around the world, such as establishing renewable energy plants and networks in Afghanistan, Mauritania and Tonga.