Towards Net Zero Award Competition Rules
Terms and Conditions
- Competition Overview: The AIRAH David Norman Towards Net Zero Award Competition (“Competition”) is established to encourage innovation, technical excellence, and practical solutions in the field of building sustainability, energy efficiency, and net zero carbon outcomes. The Competition is conducted by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) (“the Organiser”).
- The Competition comprises two stages: Stage 1 – Knowledge Assessment; Stage 2 – Building Performance Simulation and Analysis. The Competition culminates in the award of the inaugural David Norman Towards Net Zero Award Trophy and a cash prize of AUD $10,000.
- Eligibility: Entrants must satisfy the eligibility requirements published by AIRAH at the time of registration. The Competition is open to Young Sustainability Professionals (Under 35 years @ 1st July 2026) working or studying in sustainability, engineering, building services, energy management, architecture, environmental science, or related disciplines. The following persons are not eligible:
- Members of the judging panel
- Employees directly involved in organising or administering the Competition
- Immediate family members of judges.
- Registration: To enter the Competition, participants must:
- Complete the official registration process.
- Pay the prescribed registration fee of AUD $150.
- Agree to these Terms and Conditions.
- Note: Registration fees are non-refundable except where required by law.
- Competition Structure:
Stage 1 – Knowledge Assessment:
Participants will complete an online assessment consisting of technical and sustainability-related questions.- The purpose of Stage 1 is to assess:
- Understanding of sustainability principles.
- Building energy performance knowledge.
- HVAC and building services fundamentals.
- Net zero and decarbonisation concepts.
- Critical thinking and analytical skills.
- All answers must be the participant’s own work.
- Selection of Finalists: An independent judging panel, appointed by AIRAH, will assess Stage 1 submissions. The highest-ranked participants, based solely on merit and judging criteria, will be selected as finalists. No random draw or chance-based process will be used in selecting finalists.
- Stage 2 – Technical Challenge:
Finalists will receive:- Building information and data
- Simulation requirements
- Performance targets
- Submission instructions.
- Finalists will be required to:
- Undertake thermal modelling and/or building performance simulation.
- Analyse the results
- Develop recommendations
- Answer specific technical questions.
- All modelling assumptions must be clearly documented.
- The purpose of Stage 1 is to assess:
- Judging Criteria: Submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:
| Criterion | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Technical Accuracy | 30% |
| Quality of Analysis | 25% |
| Innovation and Creativity | 20% |
| Practicality and Ability to Implement | 15% |
| Communication and Presentation | 10% |
The judging panel’s decision is final. No correspondence regarding judging decisions will be entered into.
- Award: The finalist receiving the highest overall score will be awarded the David Norman Towards Net Zero Award Trophy; and – a cash prize of AUD $10,000.
- AIRAH reserves the right not to award the prize if no submission meets the required standard. The prize is not transferable.
- Intellectual Property: Entrants retain ownership of intellectual property contained in their submissions.
- By entering the Competition, participants grant AIRAH a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to
- Review submissions
- Publish summaries of submissions
- Use submission materials for educational, promotional, and professional development purposes
- Present results at conferences, seminars, publications, and AIRAH events. AIRAH will acknowledge authorship where required.
- Original Work: Participants warrant that:
- Their submissions are original, without the use of AI
- Any third-party material is appropriately referenced
- No plagiarism has occurred
- The work does not infringe intellectual property rights of any third party.
- AIRAH reserves the right to disqualify any participant found to have engaged in plagiarism, collusion, or misconduct.
- Confidentiality: Where project information provided by AIRAH is confidential, participants must:
- Maintain confidentiality
- Use the information solely for Competition purposes
- Not disclose information to third parties without written permission.
- Disqualification: AIRAH may disqualify any participant who:
- Provides false information
- Breaches these Terms and Conditions
- Attempts to improperly influence judges
- Engages in cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or misconduct.
- Limitation of Liability: To the extent permitted by law, AIRAH shall not be liable for:
- Technical failures
- Lost or delayed submissions
- Errors in Competition administration
- Any loss, damage, or expense arising from participation in the Competition.
- Privacy: Personal information collected during registration will be handled in accordance with AIRAH’s Privacy Policy and applicable privacy legislation. Information will only be used for administering the Competition and related professional development activities.
- Competition Administration: AIRAH reserves the right to:
- Amend timelines
- Modify Competition requirements
- Replace judges where necessary
- Cancel or postpone the Competition in exceptional circumstances
- Any changes will be communicated to participants promptly.
- Acceptance of Terms: Submission of a Competition entry constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Participants agree to abide by all decisions made by AIRAH and the appointed judging panel.