On April 21, 2025, California, the United States of America (USA) based Goldman Environmental Foundation announced the recipients of the 36th Goldman Environmental Prize (2025), also known as the ‘Green Nobel Prize’, honouring seven grassroots environmental activists for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection across the six inhabited continental regions.
- The award ceremony was held in San Francisco, California (USA), celebrating the global impact of grassroots leadership in environmental activism.
About Goldman Environmental Prize 2025:
The 2025 award was presented to the 7 recipients from six geographical regions for their grassroot level environmental activities in the inhabited regions.
- Batmunkh Luvsandash, a former electrical engineer from Mongolia, has been awarded the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize for Asia.
About 2025 Winners:
1.Semia Gharbi(Tunisia):
i.Led a campaign exposing a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia, resulting in the return of 6,000 tons of illegally exported household waste to Italy in February 2022.
ii.Over 40 individuals involved in the trafficking were arrested, prompting policy changes within the European Union (EU) to tighten waste shipment regulations.
2.Batmunkh Luvsandash(Mongolia):
i.Secured a 66,000-acre protected area in Dornogovi province (Mongolia) in April 2022, safeguarding endangered species like Argali sheep and the Asiatic wild ass.
ii.The area counters Mongolia’s mining boom, protecting 75% of the world’s Asiatic wild ass population.
3.Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika(Albania):
i.Both campaigned against hydropower developments on the Vjosa River in Europe, leading to its designation as the Vjosa Wild River National Park in Albania in March 2023.
ii.This landmark decision protects 167 miles of the river and its 250 miles of tributaries, marking Europe’s first national park dedicated to a wild river ecosystem.
4.Carlos Mallo Molina(Spain):
i.Halted the Fonsalía Port project in October 2021, saving a 170,000-acre marine protected area in Tenerife (Canary Islands) in Spain
ii.Advocating for a marine conservation and education center, the first in the Canary Islands.
5.Laurene Allen(the United States of America, USA):
Forced the closure of the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant (France) in May 2024, ending 20+ years of environmental contamination affecting thousands of residents.
6.Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari(Peru):
i.As president of the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana (HKK) women’s association, she led a legal campaign granting the Marañón River (Peru) legal personhood.
ii.In March 2024, a Peruvian court recognized the river’s rights to be free-flowing and unpolluted, mandating government action to prevent future oil spills and acknowledging the Kukama people as its stewards.
Winners of Goldman Environmental Prize 2025:
| Winner | Country | Region | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batmunkh Luvsandash | Mongolia | Asia | Drilling & Mining |
| Semia Gharbi | Tunisia | Africa | Environmental Justice |
| Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika | Albania | Europe | Freshwater |
| Carlos Mallo Molina | Spain | Islands & Island Nations | Oceans & Coasts |
| Laurene Allen | United States of America(USA) | North America | Pollution & Waste |
| Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari | Peru | South & Central America | Freshwater |
Note: Alok Shukla, Convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, was honoured with the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize from Asia for his significant efforts in protecting the Hasdeo Aranya forests in Chhattisgarh (India) from coal mining and environmental degradation.
About the Goldman Environmental Prize:
i.Established in 1989 by philanthropists Rhoda and Richard Goldman in San Francisco, California (the USA).
ii.Honors individuals from six regions, like Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands & Island Nations, North America, and South & Central America for their sustained and significant efforts to protect the environment, often risking their own safety.
iii.Each recipient is awarded a bronze sculpture shaped like an Ouroboros, a serpent biting its tail, symbolizing nature’s power of renewal.
- The award also includes a cash prize of USD 200,000, and winners are eligible to apply for additional grants to further support their environmental initiatives.
iv.Over 36 years, the prize has recognized 233 winners (including 106 women) from 98 countries.
Recent Related News:
In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) presented the Sustainable Development Leadership Award (SDLA) 2025 to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President (VP) of Guyana, and Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil for their contribution to climate action and Sustainable development.
About Goldman Environmental Foundation:
President – Susan R.Gelman
Headquarters – California, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 1989
