Greta Thunberg was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, which amounted to R18,976,950 (€1m) in prize money. The young activist was grateful for the honour and swiftly donated the money to green groups fighting climate change.
Thunberg was awarded the prize for the way she ‘has been able to mobilise younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists,’ said chair of the prize jury, Jorge Sampaio, according to The Guardian.
In an Instagram post she wrote: ‘I’m extremely honoured 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.
‘Starting with 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.’
This award is the largest amount of money won by Thunberg. In the past she has been awarded the Swedish Right Livelihood Award, which is considered an alternative Nobel Prize, according to The Guardian. She has also been awarded the Amnesty International’s top human rights prize.
The activist was also awarded the Nordic Council’s environmental award for 2019, which she declined.
Image credit: Instagram/ @gretathunberg
