The winners of the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for the Environment”, were announced on April 21, with one of this year’s seven recipients hailing from Mongolia. The award honors grassroots environmental activists from each of the world’s six inhabited continents, and this marks the third time a Mongolian has received the prestigious recognition.
This year’s awardee is 80 year old Batmunkh Luvsandash, a native of Khuvsgul soum, Dornogovi province. Since retiring, he has dedicated his life to protecting the environment of his homeland. Drawing on his background in engineering and with the support of local residents, L.Batmunkh succeeded in placing 500,000 hectares of land in Khuvsgul soum under local and national special protection status.
L.Batmunkh said, “I’ve seen the damage mining can do to the environment while working for three mining companies in Dornogovi province. That’s what motivated me to protect the untouched nature, nomadic traditions, wildlife, and historical heritage of our region. I didn’t expect to receive such an award, and I’m grateful to the local communities who joined me in this work”.
He emphasized Mongolia’s national commitment to conservation, noting, “Mongolia is the first country to commit to placing 30% of its territory under special protection. The fact that the government accepted and supported my scientifically backed proposal proves that this commitment is real. My hope is for responsible mining that honors its environmental obligations”.
Established in 1989 in San Francisco by philanthropists Rhoda and Richard Goldman, the Goldman Environmental Prize has honored 233 individuals, 106 of them women from 98 countries over the past 36 years. Many recipients have gone on to become influential leaders in government, civil society, and global environmental movements.
Jennifer Goldman Wallis, Vice President of the Goldman Environmental Foundation, said, “This has been a difficult year for humanity and the planet. There are countless challenges, but I find hope in the ordinary people who step up to defend the Earth. If we can commit ourselves to protecting nature with the same care we give our families, we can overcome it.”
The 2025 winners will be formally recognized on April 22, the Earth Day, at a ceremony in San Francisco. The event will be streamed live on the Goldman Prize YouTube channel.
The winners of the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for the Environment”, were announced on April 21, with one of this year’s seven recipients hailing from Mongolia. The award honors grassroots environmental activists from each of the world’s six inhabited continents, and this marks the third time a Mongolian has received the prestigious recognition.
This year’s awardee is 80 year old Batmunkh Luvsandash, a native of Khuvsgul soum, Dornogovi province. Since retiring, he has dedicated his life to protecting the environment of his homeland. Drawing on his background in engineering and with the support of local residents, L.Batmunkh succeeded in placing 500,000 hectares of land in Khuvsgul soum under local and national special protection status.
L.Batmunkh said, “I’ve seen the damage mining can do to the environment while working for three mining companies in Dornogovi province. That’s what motivated me to protect the untouched nature, nomadic traditions, wildlife, and historical heritage of our region. I didn’t expect to receive such an award, and I’m grateful to the local communities who joined me in this work”.
He emphasized Mongolia’s national commitment to conservation, noting, “Mongolia is the first country to commit to placing 30% of its territory under special protection. The fact that the government accepted and supported my scientifically backed proposal proves that this commitment is real. My hope is for responsible mining that honors its environmental obligations”.
Established in 1989 in San Francisco by philanthropists Rhoda and Richard Goldman, the Goldman Environmental Prize has honored 233 individuals, 106 of them women from 98 countries over the past 36 years. Many recipients have gone on to become influential leaders in government, civil society, and global environmental movements.
Jennifer Goldman Wallis, Vice President of the Goldman Environmental Foundation, said, “This has been a difficult year for humanity and the planet. There are countless challenges, but I find hope in the ordinary people who step up to defend the Earth. If we can commit ourselves to protecting nature with the same care we give our families, we can overcome it.”
The 2025 winners will be formally recognized on April 22, the Earth Day, at a ceremony in San Francisco. The event will be streamed live on the Goldman Prize YouTube channel.