The vegan climate activist has announced her organization will donate the prize money to groups ‘fighting for a sustainable world, defending nature and supporting people already facing the worst impacts of the climate- and ecological crisis.’

On Monday, Greta Thunberg received €1 million (approximately $1.1 million) as the winner of the Gulbenkian Prize For Humanity.

The Portuguese rights 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’.

The Swedish environmental advocate was selected among 136 nominees (corresponding to 79 organizations and 57 personalities) from 46 different countries.

In a statement, Jorge Sampaio, Chair of the Grand Jury of the Prize said: “The way Greta Thunberg has been able to mobilize younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists, makes her one of the most remarkable figures of our days.”

‘Incredibly honoured’

Revealing the news through a video on Instagram, Thunberg said she was incredibly honoured and extremely grateful to be awarded the Gulbenkian prize and the “one million Euros, (which) is more money than I can imagine”  would be in its entirety donated to “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.”

The first €100.000 would go to the SOS Amazonia campaign, led by Fridays For Future Brazil to tackle Covid-19 in the Amazon, followed by a  €100.000 donation to the Stop Ecocide Foundation to support their work in making ecocide an international crime.

Accolades

The Gulbenkian prize is only one of the accolades won by Thunberg for her exemplary “ability to make a difference in the fight against climate change.”

The teenage environmental campaigner has also won Amnesty International’s top human rights prize and the Swedish Right Livelihood Award, often presented as an alternative Nobel along with being featured on Time magazine’s “100 most influential people in the world” and two Nobel Peace Prize Nominations in 2019 and 2020.

• Read: Greta Thunberg launches UNICEF’s coronavirus protection campaign

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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