Environmental engineer wins environment award

Environmental engineer Veena Sahajwalla received top honours in the Environment category at the prestigious annual InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards ceremony last night.

Kirsten Galliott, editor of InStyle, said of the win: “We’re delighted to celebrate the achievements of Veena. She has made significant changes and contributions to the environment and Australian society. Her findings have been praised nationally by governments and peers and it is an honour to present her with this award.”

Sahajwalla is responsible for discovering ‘green steel’. The University of New South Wales scientist has found that using old rubber tyres in certain furnaces can make steelmaking more energy efficient, helping reduce carbon emissions. Her achievements have earned her individual plaudits, such as a Telstra Business Women’s Award in 2011 and the Banksia Award in 2012.

Sahajwalla won the nod over fellow Environment category nominees Narelle Anderson (recycling and waste management entrepreneur) and Anna Rose (climate campaigner).

All nominees were selected by InStyle and winners were decided by the Women of Style Awards judging panel.

Over 300 guests attended the red-carpet awards ceremony in Sydney last night.