7 May 2014: The Zayed International Prize for the Environment Award has been awarded to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco in recognition of the efforts of the Prince Albert II Foundation to spur urgent action on climate change, biodiversity protection and water security. He received the Prize at a ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 7 May 2014. At the event, two additional Zayed Prizes were awarded in each of the ‘2nd Category for Scientific and or Technological Achievement in Environment,’ and in the ‘3rd Category for Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society.’

Since its founding in 2006, the Prince Albert II Foundation has supported a range of environmental initiatives, including 127 climate initiatives worldwide, and various other projects to develop renewable energy, combat desertification and biodiversity loss, and expand access to clean water. The Foundation also helped implement the world’s first moratorium on bluefin tuna in Morocco.

The 2nd Category for Scientific and or Technological Achievement in Environment was jointly awarded to two recipients. Ashok Khosla, founder of India’s Development Alternatives group (DA), was recognized for his work towards the environmental and social sustainability of national development strategies in India. Zakri Abdul Hamid of Malaysia was honored for his service as Co-Chair of the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report.

Two recipients also shared the award in 3rd Category for Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society. Paula Caballero Gómez, as Director of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs for Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received the prize for championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Luc Hoffmann, a Swiss ornithologist, was recognized for his philanthropic work for wetland conservation. [UNEP Press Release] [Zayed Prize Website] [Prince Albert II Foundation Website]