Greta Thunberg has been awarded the Gulbenkian Prize For Humanity – which carries a €1,000,000 prize.
The award ‘aims to recognize people, groups of people and/or organizations from all over the world whose contributions to mitigation and adaptation to climate change stand out for its novelty, innovation, and impact’.
Thunberg, who revealed the news on Instagram, revealed that she will be donating the prize money in its entirety to ‘organizations and projects that are fighting for a sustainable world’.
‘Extremely honored’
Taking to Instagram, Thunberg said: “I’m extremely honored to receive the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity.
“We’re in a climate emergency, and my foundation will as quickly as possible donate all the prize money of 1 million Euros to support organizations and projects that are fighting for a sustainable world, defending nature and supporting people already facing the worst impacts of the climate- and ecological crisis – particularly those living in the Global South.”
She revealed that her foundation will ‘start by giving €100.000 to the SOS Amazonia Campaign led by @FridaysForFutureBrasil to tackle COVID-19 in the Amazon, and €100.000 to the Stop Ecocide Foundation (@ecocidelaw) to support their work to make ecocide an international crime’.
Gulbenkian prize
The winner of the Gulbenkian prize is chosen by a grand jury composed of ‘personalities of internationally recognized reputation in scientific, technological, political and cultural realms, and an Expert Committee, composed of experts of renowned merit in matters related to mitigation and adaptation to climate change’.
The jury said: “Thunberg’s charismatic and inspiring side and the strength of his unique and uncomfortable message, and the ability to make a difference in the fight against climate change.”
This latest accolade joins a slew of other honors picked-up by the teenage environmental advocate, including two Nobel Peace Prize Nominations (2019 and 2020) and inclusion on Time magazine’s ‘100 most influential people in the world’ list.