The Independent releases Climate 100 List

The Independent has launched its inaugural Climate 100 List, celebrating individuals and organisations who are collectively striving to find solutions to combat climate change and global warming. The Independent says the honorees will be celebrated at an event in New York on 25 September during the United Nations Summit of the Future, and the 15th annual NYC Climate Week. The full list is available to view here.

The Climate 100 List, handpicked by The Independent, features 100 well-known names and lesser-known figures from around the globe across a variety of different sectors – including science, academia, activism, philanthropy, sport, travel, business, tech, fashion and entertainment, added the publisher. The Independent says each individual listed embodies its own dedication and commitment to making change happen for global audiences, with environmental issues being at the core of The Independent’s journalism for nearly 40 years.

Entertainment, sports and royalty highlighted include Prince William, for his founding of The Earthshot Prize, which aims to find innovative solutions to repair the planet, Dame Ellen MacArthur, solo yachtswoman, known for her work through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to promote the circular economy and reduce waste, and Leonardo DiCaprio, actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace on Climate Change, for his tireless efforts to support global initiatives addressing climate change.

Across politics and government, Climate 100 honors former Prime Minister for the United Kingdom, Theresa May, for her work in leading the UK to be the first major economy to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050. Her government also prioritised reducing plastic waste and promoting renewable energy. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who secured a third term in office in May 2024, has been a powerhouse when it comes to fighting the climate crisis in the capital, added the publisher. He has made significant strides in reducing the city's carbon footprint, with a particular focus on tackling air pollution, The Independent continued.

Within arts and fashion, fashion designer Stella McCartney, is recognised for her goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and for leading a $200 million LVMH project focused on sustainable technologies in fashion. Francis Kéré, multi award-winning architect, including the 2022 Pritzker Architecture Prize, who has applied innovative practice to his home village of Gando in Burkina Faso for a better ecological and economic future. Livia Giuggioli Firth, MBE, activist, UN Leader of Change, co-founder The Circle NGO and co-founder Quintosapore, has been recognised for her activism that has influenced major fashion brands to adopt more sustainable practices and sparked a movement towards greater transparency and accountability in fashion. Arizona Muse, a model and sustainability activist, is celebrated for her dedication to addressing the fashion industry's impact on the climate crisis.

The activists within The Independent Climate 100 honours include Greta Thunberg, founder of Fridays for Future, for her leadership in the global climate justice protest and pressuring governments and the fossil fuel industry. Ayisha Siddiqa, a 25-year-old Pakistani human rights and climate defender, is recognised for her work as a climate advisor to the UN General Secretary and co-founding Fossil Free University and Polluters Out. Bill McKibben, author and environmentalist, is celebrated for founding 350.org, the first global grassroots climate change movement, and for his continued advocacy.

"For nearly 40 years, uncovering the critical issues surrounding climate change has been at the heart of The Independent’s journalism. With Climate 100, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals and organisations who are leading the way in tackling one of the most urgent challenges of our time. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to informing and inspiring action through stories that drive real change for the planet." said Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief, The Independent.

“This is a critical time for our planet in the midst of climate change, noting 2023 to have been Earth’s hottest year in recorded history. Climate change has always been a key priority in our reporting, as we continue our unwavering commitment to making change happen for our global audiences,” said Zach Leonard, chief operating officer, The Independent.

“We are proud to recognise those individuals and organisations who share our mission, and who continue to strive to make a difference in the world. With the Climate100 List, we hope we can instill hope in our readers as well as inspire them to do their part to combat climate change.”

Livia Giuggioli Firth said: “I am so honoured to be included in this list, so inspired to be among these incredible people, so proud of The Independent for shining a light on the array of voices that form this orchestra called democracy. But most of all - I know we are far more than 100. We are millions working for a more socially and environmentally just world, and we must always keep that in mind. We are not the minority!”

Wider honorees across business and finance, food and agriculture, NGO, nonprofits and philanthropists, scientists and academics, tech and entrepreneurs and travel include:

• Charlot Magayi, founder and CEO of Mukuru Clean Stoves: Raised in Nairobi's Mukuru slum, Charlot founded Mukuru Clean Stoves after her daughter was burned by a traditional stove. Her initiative provides safer cooking solutions, reducing fuel use and household air pollution, and has earned her recognition for tackling both air pollution and global poverty.
• Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland: Mary founded Project Dandelion, a women-led global campaign for climate justice.
• Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank: after his first year as head of World Bank he announced plans to provide 300 million people in Africa with electricity by 2030 and 1.5 billion people worldwide with healthcare access over the same time frame.
• Dr Jane Goodall, primatologist and conservationist: Jane has transformed global understanding of wildlife and environmental conservation through her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees and tireless advocacy for animal rights.
• Randy Durband, CEO of Global Sustainable Tourism Council: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, known as the GSTC Criteria.
• Dr Geoffrey Hawtin OBE + Dr. Cary Fowl: The pair won the 2024 World Food Prize for establishing the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and protecting the world’s crop species.

The Independent says the Climate 100 List arrives at a pivotal moment in the face of climate change, as the world continues to face climate disasters. As part of The Independent’s Climate 100 initiative, the team has joined forces with Cool Earth, an international NGO that partners with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities who live in the rainforest and who have a long history of effectively protecting rainforests. Cool Earth is committed to protecting carbon-rich forests in the three largest rainforests in the world, which is the most scalable and cost-effective solution against the climate crisis.