Climate Nobel Prize

For the Greatest Benefit to Humankind

Hand-drawn portrait of Alfred Nobel for the Climate Nobel Prize initiative
An initiative by

We Need a Nobel Prize in Climate and Planetary Health

The climate crisis is humankind’s greatest challenge. We call for a new Nobel Prize to honor those leading the way forward — and we begin by endowing the first award with €1,000,000.

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Our commitment

€1,000,000officially secured for a Climate Nobel Prize

1 million euros (approx. 11 million Swedish kronor) have already been deposited in an account managed by a notary and is ready to be released if the Nobel Committee agrees to establish this prize in 2026.

Ecosia CEO Christian Kroll holding a €1,000,000 cheque for the Climate Nobel Prize Ecosia CEO Christian Kroll signing the notarized declaration for the Climate Nobel Prize

Endorsed by Leading Scientists

Prof. PhD Thomas Elmqvist, Stockholm Scientific Adviser of the Climate Nobel Prize Initiative

Prof. Thomas Elmqvist, is a professor researching natural resource management and urban landscapes. As an author of over 125 peer- reviewed articles, 40 books and book chapters, Elmqvist’s work has shaped global and regional discussions on urban resilience and biodiversity. He holds roles in leading environmental and science- policy bodies, such as the Volvo Environment Prize committee and Husqvarna’s International Biodiversity Advisory Board. His international career includes leading roles in the UNESCO and the UN’s “Cities and Biodiversity Outlook” and Future Earth’s “Urban Planet“, as well as the European Academies Science Advisory Council. Elmqvist is also a member of the Academia Europea.

„I believe that a majority of the world’s population would agree that the climate issue is of vital importance. And it is also in Nobel’s spirit to highlight important contributions to human well-being“

Prof. PhD Thomas Elmqvist, Stockholm
Scientific Adviser of the Climate Nobel Prize Initiative

Prof. Wim an Saarloos Former president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC). Member of the Dutch Academy of Sciences.

„Establishing a Climate Nobel Prize would give a much needed signal to the world that humanity needs to work together to battle climate change, now more than ever. I strongly support this initiative.“

Prof. Wim an Saarloos
Former president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC). Member of the Dutch Academy of Sciences.

Em. Prof. Louise Vet Former director (1999-2019) of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), and emeritus professor in Evolutionary Ecology at Wageningen University. Member of the Dutch Academy of Sciences.

„With our current economic system, we are destroying our natural capital and we won’t last very long as a species. Which makes recognising scientific achievements which help us get out of this mess by a Climate Nobel Prize an imperative of our time.“

Em. Prof. Louise Vet
Former director (1999-2019) of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), and emeritus professor in Evolutionary Ecology at Wageningen University. Member of the Dutch Academy of Sciences.

Martin Rees former UK Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society  

Photo Credits: © House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris / CC BY 3.0

„A Nobel Prize for climate action would be a powerful recognition of the urgency of our time – provided it honors not just individual brilliance, but the collective efforts of groups and movements driving systemic change.“

Martin Rees
former UK Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society

 

Prof. Dr. Mojib Latif climate scientist, recipient of the German Environmental Prize, President of the Club of Rome Germany

Photo Credits: © Superbass / CC-BY-SA-4.0 / via Wikimedia Commons

„Given the urgency of global environmental problems, it is appropriate to establish a Nobel Prize for outstanding commitment to protecting the foundations of our life. This would be very much in the spirit of Alfred Nobel. He wanted to award prizes to the greatest service to humankind.“

Prof. Dr. Mojib Latif
climate scientist, recipient of the German Environmental Prize, President of the Club of Rome Germany

Dr Michael Succow Right Livelihood Laureate 1997

Photo Credits: © Christian Fischer / CC BY-SA 3.0  / via Wikimedia Commons

“A Nobel Prize for the climate would draw the world’s attention to its biggest problem every year”

Dr Michael Succow
Right Livelihood Laureate 1997

Tony Rinaudo Right Livelihood Laureate 2018, Member of the Order of Australia 2019  

Photo Credits: © Tony Rinaudo / CC BY-SA 4.0 / via Wikimedia Commons

“I strongly support the creation of a Climate Nobel Prize. Recognizing leaders who champion people‑centered, nature‑based solutions to fight climate change will inspire urgent action rooted in justice, resilience, and care for our planet and communities.”

Tony Rinaudo
Right Livelihood Laureate 2018, Member of the Order of Australia 2019

 

Prof. Dr. Michael Norton Tokyo Institute of Technology, Shinshu University and Tohoku University

“Nobel’s aim was for the greatest benefit for humankind. Unlike economics which has led to an unsustainable and increasingly unequal society benefiting only the few at the expense of the majority, averting catastrophic climate breakdown is a fundamental benefit to all of humankind.”

Prof. Dr. Michael Norton
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Shinshu University and Tohoku University

Prof. Lise Øvreås Member and former President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters  

Photo Credits: © Thomas B. Eckhoff

“The Arctic is the World’s early warning system. As an Arctic researcher, I am devastated by the dramatic changes we observe. A Climate Nobel Prize would send a powerful signal that scientific evidence matters, that the urgency is real.”

Prof. Lise Øvreås
Member and former President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

 

Key Principles

Authority Remains with the Nobel Foundation

Sustainable and Independent Financing icon

Sustainable & Independent Financing

Ecosia provides the seed endowment for the first Climate Nobel Prize, but over time it should ideally be sustained by a broad societal coalition.

Common Ground and Institutional Cooperation icon

Common Ground & Institutional Cooperation

The prize is established in close collaboration with the Nobel Foundation and awarded by an independent jury consisting of scientific, societal and economic institutions.

Administration in the Nobel Tradition icon

Administration in the Nobel Tradition

The prize is administered under the auspices of the Nobel Foundation, following the model of the Prize in Economic Sciences to ensure consistency with Alfred Nobel’s legacy.

Completing The Nobel Legacy

The Missing Prize in the 21st Century

When Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Prizes in 1895, his vision was to reward those whose work gave ’the greatest benefit to humankind.’ For more than a century, these awards have rightly honored groundbreaking achievements. Now is the time to continue this legacy with a prize for the defining challenge of the 21st century.

Since 1901

The first Nobel Prizes are awarded in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Peace, launching more than a century of honoring humanity’s greatest achievements.

Since 1901

1969

The Nobel Prize in Economics was added. It has since been awarded with the support of Sweden’s central bank, demonstrating that Nobel tradition can evolve to address new global challenges.

1969

Today

Give climate a seat at the table

Humanity faces its greatest challenge — the climate crisis. Solutions in this field benefit all people, across generations and borders. The Nobel stage is where humanity’s greatest achievements are celebrated, yet one seat is empty for the defining challenge of our time.

Today

The Progress So Far

Status Quo: The Foundation’s No New Prizes Policy

The Nobel Foundation has issued a press response that is reiterating their policy of not introducing new prizes.
We understand the Foundation’s message to be a clarification of policy rather than an assessment of the proposal itself; it does not yet address the merits of the initiative or the precedent that informs our approach.

A Historical Precedent: The Economics Prize

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel was also initially refused by the Nobel Foundation.
It was later established after strong support from the Swedish Parliament and the Swedish National Bank – without altering Alfred Nobel’s will.
Our proposed Prize in Climate and Planetary Health follows this same model.

Looking Ahead: Why This Prize Belongs in the Nobel Tradition

We remain confident that, once the Nobel Foundation and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences have had time to review the proposal in more detail, a deeper dialogue will follow.
Public support will play a decisive role in shaping this conversation, just as it did in 1968. In sharing the initiative, you can help to see climate leadership recognised at the highest level.
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Endorsements from civil society

– Luisa Neubauer, climate activist

Photo Credits: © Superbass / CC-BY-SA-4.0 / via Wikimedia Commons

“An award for climate and planetary health would encourage people worldwide to build solutions, improve policy and mobilise communities to take action. It is long overdue for the Nobel tradition to finally recognise the greatest crisis of our time.”

– Luisa Neubauer, climate activist

– Andreas Huber, The Club of Rome

“The Association of the Club of Rome supports the idea of a Nobel Prize for climate protection and planetary health. The original Nobel idea—to honor the greatest benefit to humanity—applies today above all to those who protect the foundations of our existence.”

– Andreas Huber, The Club of Rome

– Álvaro Tukano, Indigenous leader

Photo Credits: © Norbert Suchanek / CC BY 4.0 / via Wikimedia Commons

„I support the initiative for a Nobel Climate Prize. The world’s most prestigious award needs to recognise the most dramatic problem facing the planet.“

– Álvaro Tukano, Indigenous leader

– Rana Adib, Executive Director, REN21

„At REN21, we know that the solutions exist. What is lacking are political resolve, equal conditions and a global movement that leaves no one behind. A Climate Nobel Prize is an opportunity to amplify the voices of those who are proving that a 100 per cent renewable future is possible – and that it starts now.“

– Rana Adib, Executive Director, REN21

– Peter Sinclair, Climate activist, blogger

„Climate science describes the space, the living system, and the Global context in which all the other sciences are pursued. The findings of climate scientists are among the most consequential insights of human understanding. It is long past time that Climate Science be recognized by the Nobel Committee.“

– Peter Sinclair, Climate activist, blogger

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Frequently Asked Questions

The climate crisis is the defining challenge for humanity. Scientific breakthroughs already exist, but the real bottleneck is turning these solutions into action at the scale and speed required.
A Nobel Prize in Climate and Planetary Health would not just celebrate achievements — it would help accelerate the transition itself. By giving climate leaders and innovators the same recognition as Nobel laureates before them, the prize can inspire even greater efforts, create urgency, and build momentum for solutions that benefit our planet and all of humanity.

The existing Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine were created to honor groundbreaking scientific discoveries. These awards rightly celebrate inventions, theories, and breakthroughs that advance human knowledge. But when it comes to the climate crisis, the challenge is no longer the absence of scientific insight — it is the implementation of proven solutions at the scale and speed required.
A prize dedicated to climate and planetary health would acknowledge this essential shift: from invention to impact. We believe that the defining challenge of our time deserves its own dedicated category — just as the Prize in Economic Sciences was added in 1969 to reflect its growing societal importance.

The Prize may be awarded to individuals, organizations, movements, or communities. It aims to honor the true locus of change — whether this is an individual catalyst or a collective achievement.

Our invitation to the Nobel Foundation is one of partnership and alignment: together, we can ensure the prizes continue to reflect the challenges and opportunities of our time. We propose three initial categories of recognition and remain open to refining these in close dialogue with the Nobel Foundation and relevant institutions:
  • Pragmatic Governance: For implementing smart, effective policies that accelerate proven solutions and provide long-term stability.
  • Scaling Prosperity & Markets: For scaling innovations and business models that create sustainable prosperity at unprecedented speed.
  • Building Common Ground: For uniting diverse perspectives to create shared, practical solutions and empower communities.

We propose that, similar to the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, the Climate Nobel Prize be administered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Laureates would be announced alongside other Nobel Prize winners and honored at the official Nobel Prize ceremony.

Our ambition is for the first Climate Nobel Prize to be awarded in December 2026.

Ecosia pledges the first €1 million to fund the inaugural prize. This fund has already been deposited in an account managed by a notary and is ready to be released if the Nobel Committee agrees to establish the prize in 2026.
Ecosia is open to extending its support over time and welcomes the opportunity to share this responsibility with others who support the creation of a Climate Nobel Prize. Over time, the prize could be sustained by a broad coalition of purpose-driven institutions, ensuring long-term and independent financing.

The endowment of €1 million (approximately 11 million Swedish kronor) reflects the standard prize amount awarded to Nobel laureates in other categories. By matching this amount, we signal that achievements in climate action are no less significant than those in Physics, Literature, or Medicine.

Your voice matters. You can:
  • Engage on social media using your platform to spread the message.
  • Encourage institutions, experts, and organizations to publicly support the initiative.
  • Create media awareness by sharing the campaign with journalists, opinion leaders, and policymakers.
Every voice and every share helps build the case for a Nobel Prize that reflects the urgency of our time.

A few months ago, we started to informally reach out to the Nobel Foundation and formally handed over our offer to fund the prize in December 2025. This marks the beginning of a collaborative process under the Foundation’s auspices to define governance and evaluation structures, in a spirit of partnership and alignment — ensuring that the Nobel Prizes continue to reflect the challenges and opportunities of our time.

Ecosia is the world’s largest tree-planting movement and Europe’s largest search engine. We dedicate 100% of our profits to climate action.
Leading this initiative is a natural extension of Ecosia’s mission: to drive large-scale systemic change for the planet. We believe that if the Nobel Prize, the world’s most prestigious award, were to honor climate leaders and innovators, it could help catalyze the ambition and action needed to accelerate climate solutions.
Give climate a seat at the table.