Two high-profile "stalwarts of sustainability" will have their say on who is worthy of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, and Ratan N Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons, have joined the jury that awards innovation in renewable energy and sustainability.
"We are honoured to welcome two renowned stalwarts of sustainability to the Zayed Future Energy Prize jury, and value the depth of experience and the perspective they will bring to the judging process," said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the director general of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.
"Through their bold initiatives and innovative thinking, Sir Richard and Mr Tata have already created a legacy that will serve to enhance the world we live in; this is what lies at the heart of the legacy left to us by the prize's namesake and founding father of theUAE, Sheikh Zayed."
Sir Richard was invited for his commitment to identifying entrepreneurial ways to provoke positive change. Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, tackles social and environmental problems and strives to make business a force for good.
Ratan N Tata was the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, for 21 years until his retirement last year.
An avid environmentalist and philanthropist, he is the chairman of two of the largest private-sector-backed humanitarian trusts in India and a member of the Indian Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry.
The US$4 million (Dh14.7 million) Zayed Future Energy Prize is awarded annually in five categories - large corporation, small and medium enterprise, non-governmental organisation, lifetime achievement and high schools.
It goes to companies, schools and individuals that have contributed to the future of energy, sustainability and climate change.
Chaired by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, the president of the Republic of Iceland, the 2014 judging panel will also include Mohammed Nasheed, former president of the Republic of the Maldives, Dr Han Seung-soo, former prime minister of Korea, Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, a former South African minister, Adnan Z Amin, the director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency and Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, the chairman of Masdar.
Submissions close on August 5 and winners will be named on January 20 next year.