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Six women win 2026 Goldman prize, world’s top environmental award
TL;DR
The 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize has been awarded to six women activists from around the world for their environmental efforts. This marks the first time all recipients are women, each receiving $200,000.
Key points
- Six women awarded the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize
- All recipients are grassroots environmental activists
- Each winner receives $200,000
- First time all winners are women since the prize began in 1989
- Prize recognizes efforts to fight climate change and save biodiversity
Mentioned in this story
Iroro TanshiBorim KimSarah FinchTheonila Roka MatbobAlannah Acaq HurleyYuvelis Morales BlancoNigeriaSouth KoreaUnited KingdomPapua New GuineaUnited StatesColombia
Goldman Environmental Prize
This year’s prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize has been awarded to six grassroots environmental activists from around the world for their efforts to fight climate change and save biodiversity.
For the first time since the prize was created in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, all recipients of the award are women: Iroro Tanshi, from Nigeria; Borim Kim, from South Korea; Sarah Finch, from the United Kingdom; Theonila Roka Matbob, from Papua New Guinea; Alannah Acaq Hurley, from the United States; and Yuvelis Morales Blanco, from Colombia.
Sometimes described as the “Green Nobel”, the Goldman Prize recipients are chosen from each of the world’s six primary regions. They each receive $200,000 in prize money.
“While we continue to fight uphill to protect the environment and implement lifesaving climate policies – in the US and globally – it is clear that true leaders can be found all around us,” said John Goldman, vice president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation.
“The 2026 Prize winners are proof positive that courage, hard work, and hope go a long way toward creating meaningful progress.”
Yuvelis Morales Blanco, winner of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, shows a fish caught on a tour with fishermen along the Magdalena River in Colombia [Handout: Christian EscobarMora/Goldman Environmental Prize]
Morales Blanco, the winner for the region of South and Central America, fought some of the world’s biggest oil companies to successfully stop the introduction of commercial fracking into Colombia.
The 24-year-old grew up in a family of fishermen along the banks of the Magdalena River in the Afro-Colombian community of Puerto Wilches. “We had nothing but the river – she was like a mother who took care of me,” she said.
She began organising protests after a major oil spill in 2018, which forced the relocation of dozens of local families and killed thousands of animals. Her activism, which made her a target for intimidation and forced her to temporarily relocate, helped halt projects and elevate fracking as an issue in Colombia’s 2022 election.
Two of the other five recipients of this year’s prize have also focused their efforts on fighting fossil fuels, which are causing both global climate change and more localised pollution around the world.
Q&A
Who are the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize winners?
The winners are Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria), Borim Kim (South Korea), Sarah Finch (UK), Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea), Alannah Acaq Hurley (USA), and Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia).
What is the significance of the Goldman Environmental Prize?
The Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the 'Green Nobel', recognizes grassroots environmental activists and their contributions to fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity.
How much money do the Goldman Prize winners receive?
Each Goldman Prize winner receives $200,000 in prize money.
What impact do the Goldman Prize winners have on environmental efforts?
The winners exemplify leadership in environmental activism, showcasing that grassroots efforts can lead to meaningful progress in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
