Announcement of the 2026 (35th) Blue Planet Prize Winners

The Asahi Glass Foundation (Chairman: Takuya Shimamura; Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has announced the winners of the 2026 Blue Planet Prize, which marks its 35th anniversary this year.

The prize was established in 1992, the year of the Earth Summit, with a wish for the restoration of the global environment. It is an international award recognizing individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to solving global environmental problems through the development of concepts, deepening of scientific understanding, or measures and practical activities based on science and technology, including the humanities and social sciences. The winners are as follows:

1. Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum (USA) Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and former Director of the National Toxicology Program (NTP). She is recognized for her contributions to the risk assessment of environmental chemicals and science-based policy formation.

2. Professor Edward Barbier (USA) Distinguished Professor of Economics at Colorado State University. He is recognized for leading the implementation of the international green economy by indexing natural capital.

In principle, two recipients are selected each year, and each is awarded a prize of 500,000 USD. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on October 28 at the Tokyo Kaikan.