The Frontiers Planet Prize has unveiled its 2025 International Champions – three visionary scientists from across the globe, whose groundbreaking scientific research offers powerful, scalable solutions to keep humanity safely within the planetary boundaries.
Each Champion will now receive a $1 million prize, empowering them to scale their research, drive real-world impact, and accelerate solutions that safeguard the planet for future generations. The International Champions were selected from a group of 19 National Champions chosen by the independent Jury of 100, a group of renowned sustainability and planetary health experts chaired by Professor Johan Rockström.
This year’s winning research spans areas which are high on the agenda for those working to address the climate crisis. After a global geopolitical shake up, further extreme weather events and an upcoming critical COP30, new solutions for mitigating global heating are under the spotlight more than ever.
From the environmental and social impacts of global trade to the advancement of green infrastructure and sustainable farming, each project offers bold, science-driven solutions
designed to inspire and empower both citizens and governments to take meaningful action in addressing today’s planetary health challenges.
The ISC partners in the Prize to broaden its visibility and ensure all relevant ISC Members are aware and able to participate. It also helps facilitate nominations from institutions in countries or regions that do not yet have a designated National Representative Body.
Dr Malik is collaborating with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network to produce policy reports for the European Union, highlighting the environmental and social impacts of international trade. Additionally, the findings are highly relevant for shaping policies related to the Loss and Damage (L&D) fund, offering data-driven guidance on financial contributions from developed countries to support developing nations in addressing climate-related losses and damages.
Using a data-driven approach, this study identifies high- impact areas for green infrastructure, urban forests, and sustainable streetscapes, potentially reducing emissions by 57.3% by 2030. The framework provides cities with practical tools to meet climate neutrality targets, enhance urban resilience, and guide both public planners and private developers in utilizing nature-based solutions to offset greenhouse gas emissions.
By uniting researchers and farmers across continents, the study provides the first cross-cultural evidence that diversification practices can bring farming systems within planetary boundaries, reduce environmental impacts, and support livelihoods. The research outlines practical interventions for governments, NGOs, and civil society, offering clear pathways for policy implementation and demonstrating the importance of investment in these areas for sustainable and just global food systems.
Launched by the Frontiers Research Foundation on Earth Day 2022, the Frontiers Planet Prize aims to mobilize science for a global green renaissance. Now in its third year, the Prize has engaged over 600 leading universities and research institutions across six continents and 23 national academies of science.
Commenting on the Frontiers Planet Prize, Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research said:
“The Frontiers Planet Prize is more than a scientific award – it is a catalyst for the urgent transformation we need to stay within planetary boundaries. The three 2025 International Champions exemplify the power of science to deepen the understanding of the fundamentals of our earth systems while also delivering actionable, scalable solutions to the intertwined crises of climate, biodiversity, and inequality. Their work stands at the intersection of scientific novelty, innovation, and impact, showing us that a sustainable and just future is within reach—if we act boldly, and fast. It has been an honor to chair the Jury of 100 and witness firsthand the incredible depth of scientific excellence mobilized by this prize.”
Jean-Claude Burgelman, Director of the Frontiers Planet Prize, added:
“The 2025 International Champions embody the spirit of the Frontiers Planet Prize: bold science in service of humanity and the planet. This Prize is building a global community of researchers who are not only advancing knowledge but actively shaping the path to a sustainable future. These Champions inspire all of us – demonstrating that through collaboration, courage, and scientific integrity, transformative change is not only possible, but already underway.”
We invite you and your networks to join our information session providing more information on the overall mission and objectives of the Planet Prize, the eligibility criteria for scientists, the mechanics of the Prize and the role of the ISC in engaging its Members around this scientific competition.
Date: June 25, 2025
Time: 11:00 – 12:30 UTC
Institutions who wish to learn more details about the ISC submission process are invited to write to Gabriela Ivan, ISC Membership Development Officer, at [email protected]. Please see more details here.
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