Forbes Sustainability Leaders 2025: Nominations Now Open for Global Changemakers

Forbes has formally opened nominations for its second annual Sustainability Leaders record, aiming to rejoice 50 distinctive people who’re creating significant environmental impression amid right now’s local weather complexities. With the highlight on founders, policymakers, scientists, artists, organizers, and advocates, this prestigious record will acknowledge those that are usually not merely envisioning a sustainable future—however actively constructing it.

The remaining record will probably be revealed this September in alignment with the Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit throughout New York Climate Week. As the local weather disaster intensifies and geopolitical uncertainty complicates world progress, Forbes is trying for visionaries driving real-world impression regardless of imperfect situations.

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A Critical Moment in Climate Action

The context for this yr’s nominations is a panorama marked by stark contradictions. Around the world, environmental urgency has by no means been larger, but progress is more and more threatened by coverage reversals, disinformation, and diluted company accountability. Net-zero commitments are being scaled again, new reporting necessities are being challenged, and significant local weather finance stays unequally distributed—notably disadvantaging the Global South.

Despite this, a brand new era of leaders is rising to the problem. Last yr’s inaugural Forbes Sustainability Leaders record showcased a dynamic vary of changemakers—from Indigenous activist Nemonte Nenquimo, who helped defend Ecuador’s Amazon, to Joy Belmonte, the mayor of Quezon City within the Philippines main daring city local weather initiatives. It additionally featured Peter Kalmus, a NASA scientist utilizing his voice to hyperlink analysis with activism, and RJ Scaringe, founding father of Rivian, who’s remodeling the auto business.

This yr, Forbes is constant its mission to focus on the doers over dreamers, those that mix imaginative and prescient with execution, and who’re shaping the local weather motion of their respective spheres.

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What Forbes Is Looking For

Forbes invites nominations from people or organizations who’re working on the forefront of sustainability, in sectors reminiscent of expertise, coverage, finance, advocacy, the humanities, or grassroots mobilization. The guiding standards replicate the qualities that distinguish a real sustainability chief right now:

1. Impact

Nominees needs to be delivering tangible, verifiable progress. Their work should be genuine, efficient, and backed by demonstrable outcomes, not empty guarantees or performative gestures.

2. Leadership

Candidates should be lively contributors in change, taking daring steps, main groups, and confronting challenges head-on. They are usually not ready for ultimate situations—they’re creating new potentialities.

3. Innovation

The record will highlight pioneers fixing issues in distinctive, disruptive methods. Whether by way of new expertise, untested concepts, or cultural shifts, innovation is essential.

4. Growth

Nominees mustn’t solely be efficient but in addition scalable. Forbes is searching for these with plans and momentum to increase their impression far past their speedy group or undertaking.

5. Recency

The focus is on leaders who’ve made important contributions throughout the previous few years, showcasing momentum and relevance in right now’s local weather panorama.

6. Equity

Sustainability should embody social justice. Forbes values candidates who heart inclusion, equity, and fairness of their work, notably in communities usually excluded from environmental decision-making.

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The Selection Process

The course of begins with an open name for nominations, and there is no such thing as a application payment. All submitted candidates will probably be reviewed by the Forbes editorial group, with finalists present process extra analysis by panels of business specialists.

The remaining choice will probably be introduced alphabetically somewhat than ranked, reinforcing the collective significance of every changemaker’s work. The panel of reviewers and advisors contains globally revered leaders reminiscent of:

• Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder of Emerson Collective and the Waverley Street Foundation

• Bill McKibben, Author and founding father of local weather networks 350.org and Third Act

• Nnimmo Bassey, Nigerian environmentalist and champion of ecological and Indigenous rights

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How to Nominate

If you or somebody you realize is pushing boundaries in local weather motion—restoring ecosystems, innovating sustainable tech, or mobilizing communities—that is your second.

🗓 Deadline: Nominations shut at 9:00am ET on Friday, June 13, 2025

📩 Submit your nomination by way of this form

Now greater than ever, it’s time to shine a lightweight on these turning local weather ambition into motion—these keen to guide, even when the trail is unsure. Learn extra in regards to the qualification by way of Forbes website.

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For extra updates on world alternatives for changemakers, go to Opportunities for Youth