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CLIMATE CHANGE BREAKTHROUGH

Amsterdam, 18 May 2009 – The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge 2009, an international creative competition, opens today. Its sponsor, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, urges people around the world to send in innovative ideas for products and services that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The person with the best invention will win €500,000 to make his or her plan reality, and two other brilliant ideas could win €100,000.

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The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge seeks to engage creative, innovative people prepared to instigate change. The judges welcome any product or service that would contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce emissions, and score highly on convenience, quality and design.

After the contest closes on 31 July 2009, a preliminary jury will select three to five finalists. These nominees will present their ideas publicly at PICNIC'09 in September. The winning entrant will win €500,000 to bring his or her idea to market. He or she will also be introduced to potential clients and business partners. Two other finalists could win runner-up prizes of €100,000 each.

Last year, the jury awarded the €500,000 prize to Eben Bayer of the United States for his all-natural Styrofoam substitute Greensulate™. American Capra J'neva won a €100,000 runner-up prize for her stylish Veranda Solar panels. They were chosen from among 235 entries. In 2007, the first Green Challenge award went to the Netherlands' Igor Kluin for his renewable-energy network plan Qurrent.