The Children's Climate Prize has evolved through the years and is now an established platform for young, environmentally-conscious people from all over the world.

The prize was initiated in 2016 by the Swedish renewable energy company Telge Energi; a company dedicated to, and exclusively working with, renewable energy sources thus taking a stand for sustainable development for more than 10 years.

But Telge Energi wanted to do more for the world while also supporting others on the same journey. Therefore the company instituted the Children's Climate Prize, an international climate prize awarded to a child or youth, between the age of 12-17 who has done something extraordinary for the climate and environment. But also to highlight another perspective on the climate issue, recognizing that it is the children's future at stake, that their voices are important and deserve to be heard. The winner and all finalists are selected by a jury and the winner receives 50,000 SEK.

More about Telge Energi and their climate work in Sweden and the world.

We are now accepting this year's nominations. They can be anything from a project or initiative to an invention or physical machine. The prize can be awarded to an individual, a group or an organization and we accept nominations from all over the world. Anyone can nominate their climate hero.

Nominations are open between April 23 and September 30th and all contributions are easily submitted via a form below here on our website.

Edgar Edmund 2017 - After seeing how plastic contributed to environmental issues locally in his own community Edgar Edmund was inspired to solve the problem on his own. He built a machine that converts plastic waste to durable building blocks, roof tiles and other useful products. Today Edgar runs his own company, Green Venture Recycles, which turns plastic waste into clever and affordable building materials. He has recycled more than 1.2 million plastic bags, in total over 20 000 kilograms (44 000 pounds) of plastic, which otherwise would have ended up in nature. He has also employed over a hundred people and educated more than 4000 students through environmental campaigns at schools all over Arusha, Tanzania.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez 2016 - Xiuhtezcatl has made his voice heard on some of the world's most influential stages including the United Nations Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Rio+20, and he has also spoken before the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He is the director of Earth Guardians, a worldwide conservation organization consisting of young activists, artists and musicians trying to make a difference, working together to battle climate change and other important issues that will determine the future. Xiuhtezcatl is one of 21 plaintiffs suing the federal government and the Trump administration for failing to act on climate change. A federal Court rejected the government's move to dismiss the case in November 2016.