Prof. Reinhold Priewasser, deputy head of the Institute of Corporate and Regional Environmental Management at the JKU, was presented with the Upper Austrian State Award for Environment and Sustainability in the category of "Individuals". He was presented with the award in recognition of his many years of work as an academic and scientist and for over 25 years of experience as an environmental expert for Upper Austria.

Prof. Priewasser has been a faculty member at JKU for the past 37 years and actively involved in Upper Austria in numerous projects pertaining to environmental and sustainability issues. His scientific work focuses on the field of sustainable energy management, particularly in the area of implementing and evaluating renewable energies. Many of his research projects pertained locally to Upper Austria, such as drafting a sustainable resource development plan for the Mühlviertel area, creating participatory foundations for regional development concepts, and scientifically monitoring the development of Upper Austria’s current environmental and sustainability programs.

Presented every two years, the Upper Austrian State Award for Environment and Sustainability are given in the categories of companies, communities, schools and educational institutions, associations and groups, as well as individuals. A few years ago, the Institute of Environmental Law at the JKU also received awards.