Ecosia’s €1 Million Push for a Climate Nobel Prize

RITURAJ PHUKAN

The global climate crisis is an accelerating reality that demands a cultural and technological shift on an unprecedented scale. Scientists, activists, innovators, and communities are dedicating their lives to safeguarding the planet, yet many of their groundbreaking efforts and vital solutions lack the global platform necessary for widespread, rapid adoption.

Recognizing this critical visibility gap, Ecosia, the search engine that plants trees, has made a significant financial offer: a deposit of €1,000,000 reserved solely to help establish a Climate Nobel Prize. This initiative aims to use the world’s most prestigious platform to confer authority, accelerate progress, and grant climate leadership the power and momentum it needs.

The core motivation is clear: there is no annual, globally recognized prize dedicated to consistently highlighting the diverse range of actors working to keep our planet livable. A “Climate Nobel Prize” would establish this recognition, aligning with the existing Nobel tradition. By elevating climate action to an unparalleled level of global attention, society signals that this work is essential and powerful. When a society celebrates a type of work, that work gains significant power.

This vision aligns with Alfred Nobel’s original mandate that his prizes serve for “the greatest benefit to humankind.” In the 21st century, the greatest benefit to humankind includes protecting the climate system upon which every human life depends. The precedent for expanding the Nobel scope exists; the Prize in Economic Sciences was established in 1969, demonstrating that the structure can evolve. The time has now come to formalize recognition for those solving the defining challenge of our era.

The recipients of such an award would be diverse, encompassing the entire spectrum of climate leadership. The prize would recognize breakthrough scientists developing next-generation energy solutions, grassroots community leaders driving policy changes, policymakers implementing environmental laws, and the movements and innovators building a sustainable future. Granting this level of rigor and recognition to these efforts would provide an instant, non-partisan stamp of credibility, helping to secure funding, influence policy, and speed up global deployment.

Ecosia has formally contacted the Nobel Foundation, sharing the offer and expressing hope for a collaborative path forward. The intention is that the prize be administered under the official Nobel governance, maintaining the independence, credibility, and rigor of every established category. Ecosia’s seed funding is ready to be released once the Nobel Committee agrees to establish this prize.

To symbolize the future they hope to see, Ecosia constructed a handmade blue Nobel chair, similar to those used by laureates at the official ceremony. It remains empty, serving as a powerful, silent reminder of the place that vital climate action can hold on the world stage when it is officially recognized.

The creation of this prize requires significant support. If you believe the people and projects protecting life on Earth deserve the world’s highest recognition, the path forward is through visibility and public support. By sharing the idea and advocating for this cause, the public can help demonstrate that the time is right for climate action to be celebrated at the highest possible level, securing a critical tool for accelerating progress.

Rituraj Phukan: Founder, Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum; Co-Founder, Smily Academy ;National Coordinator for Biodiversity, The Climate Reality Project India; Member, IUCN Wilderness Specialist Group; Commission Member – IUCN WCPA Climate Change, IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation, IUCN WCPA Indigenous People and Protected Areas Specialist Groups, IUCN WCPA South Asia Region and IUCN WCPA-SSC Invasive Alien Species Task Force; Member, International Antarctic Expedition 2013; Climate Force Arctic 2019 ; Ambassador, Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary. Rituraj Phukan is the Climate Editor, Mahabahu and Convenor, Mahabahu Climate Forum.

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