Environmental Prizes

➡️ INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZES - Essential Funding & Exposure For Grassroots Environmentalism

Environmental prizes are a brilliant way to recognise and raise the profile of extraordinary achievements in conservation, science, agriculture, waste reduction, energy efficiency, climate action, sustainability, activism, and any other field related to preserving our planet.

Around the world, hundreds of prizes exist, ranging from prestigious lifetime achievement awards to grants for local grassroots initiatives. No matter the size, these awards are a crucial way to accelerate sustainability efforts, boost investment, scale up solutions, showcase real-life tangible progress, and provide a framework for standards of excellence.

Researchers commit to seeking out some of the most impactful projects, individuals, and organisations and then go on to support their efforts. They also help to connect innovators with funders and project their work onto the global stage.

Additionally, they also prove that sustainability and environmental efforts are not in vain or mere greenwashing, but legitimate solutions to some of today's most pressing issues.

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Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• The Environment & Nature
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Prestigious International Prizes

• THE GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE - Arguably the world's most important award for grassroots activism. Established in 1989 by Richard and Rhoda Goldman, it is often referred to as the Green Nobel. Chosen by an international jury, it is awarded annually to six laureates, one from each of the six inhabited continents. In 2026, for the first time, all six recipients were women, including Sarah Finch (UK) for her legal victory against fossil fuel projects and Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria) for protecting bat habitats.
• THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE - Every year, the Earthshot Prize awards five of the most dedicated game-changers leading the way in environmentalism. They are each honoured with £1 million to support and expand their work. The award was founded by HRH Prince William and was launched in 2020 alongside biologist and natural historian David Attenborough. The award was first presented in 2021 and will be given annually until 2030. Their five categories are Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate.
• CHAMPIONS OF THE EARTH - This is the United Nations highest environmental honour. It is awarded annually by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Established in 2005, there are five award categories - Lifetime Achievement, Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Science and Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Vision. Every year has a different theme; in 2026, the focus was on protecting and restoring ocean health.
• TYLER PRIZE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT - The Tyler Prize is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards for environmental science, environmental health, and sustainable energy. Established in 1973 by John and Alice Tyler, it is often referred to as the Nobel Prize for the Environment. The award is administered by the University of Southern California, and laureates receive a $250,000 cash prize. The 2026 laureate is Dr Toby Kiers for her groundbreaking research on underground fungal networks and their role in ecosystem health.
• THE VOLVO ENVIRONMENT PRIZE - The Volvo prize is a highly respected scientific environmental award for outstanding innovations in sustainability and environmental stewardship. It was established in 1988, and the nominations are screened by a Scientific Committee, with the final laureate selected by an international Prize Jury.
• THE GREEN WORLD AWARDS - Administered by the Green Organisation, this prize recognises, rewards, and promotes environmental best practices across the globe. Winners are named Green World Ambassadors, and their winning case studies are published in The Green Book, an international guide to environmental best practices. The award is supported by the Environment Agency and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
• THE EARTH PRIZE - The world's largest environmental sustainability competition for young people is a global competition for students between the ages of 13 and 19 to find environmental solutions. It rewards winners with mentorship and funding to help develop creative and actionable solutions for the most pressing environmental issues.

Regional Environmental Awards

• European Green Capital - This award is given by the European Commission each year to a European city demonstrating high environmental standards and a strong commitment to green goals. Launched in 2008, the winning city receives €600,000 to be spent on environmental projects. Guimarães, Portugal, is the 2026 European Green Capital. The European Green Leaf Award is a similar award, but for smaller cities.
• German Environmental Prize - One of Europe's highest environmental accolades is awarded annually by the German Federal Environmental Foundation. Established in 1993 with a prize of €500,000, it recognises individuals for exemplary achievements in environmental protection, sustainable development, and resource conservation.
• Nordic Council Environment Prize - Focused on Nordic companies or individuals, this prize recognises efforts to integrate nature and environmental protection into their work. The 2025 award went to Green Neighbourhood Communities (Denmark).
• EU LIFE Awards - Celebrating the most innovative and effective EU-funded projects in nature, circular economy, and climate. The award is presented during the annual EU Green Week to celebrate those who have made significant contributions to the European Green Deal and their impact on European environmental policies.

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The funding and attention that these prizes bring to the environmental movement are a huge boost for small-scale, grass-roots, and local initiatives and efforts. There is a significant funding gap for green projects and innovations, which these prizes help fill.

Funded by private philanthropists, charitable foundations, corporate sponsorships, and university endowments, research panels actively seek out the best and most impactful projects. Finalists and winners of these prizes often go on to receive further funding, which helps them to scale up projects and bring their solutions to the world stage.

“Average people and the average community can change the world. You can do it just based on common sense, determination, persistence and patience” - Lois Gibbs, 1990 Goldman Prize winner.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 24.04.26 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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