This trophy includes a stylised version of an oak tree on Bussumerheide Heath in North Holland. It symbolises the fact that we have to take care of the world around us. The trophy was designed and produced by Simons Jewellers.
The Dr A.H. Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences honours pioneering work and research excellence in environmental sciences.
Alfred Heineken established the prize in 1990 when environmental challenges became increasingly apparent. With this prize, awarded every two years, he wants to honour researchers worldwide who have made groundbreaking discoveries addressing these challenges.
Laureates of the Dr H.P. Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences include some of the world’s leading scientists. Among them are James Lovelock, who revolutionized the understanding of environmental problems with his Gaia hypothesis that presents the earth as a self-regulating complex system; Paul Erlich, whose publications about environmental threats, including the explosive growth of the world population, were a significant source of inspiration to the Club of Rome; and Corinne Le Quéré, who made major contributions to our understanding of the interaction between climate change and the ocean carbon cycle. With her research she made a big impact on climate policy by advising policymakers.
All laureates of the prize have contributed to cutting-edge research that has great potential to positively impact people’s lives worldwide, inspire young researchers, and promote knowledge valorisation and effective scientific communication. The prize consists of a freely disposable cash prize of 250,000 USD and a trophy, funded by the Alfred Heineken Fondsen Foundation.
With great care, the board of the Foundation has decided not to award the Dr A.H. Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences in 2024. In line with the legacy of the awards, the prize will be presented again in 2026. For more information, please visit our news page.