Global Climate Justice Shines at the Right Livelihood Awards
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Right Livelihood Foundation honored a diverse group of activists and scholars for advancing climate justice. The Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and jurist Julian Aguon of Guam were named among this year’s laureates, recognized alongside courageous activists from Myanmar and Sudan and the Taiwanese digital rights pioneer Audrey Tang. The awards highlight a commitment to translating climate concerns into concrete legal and human rights action.
The Winners and Their Mission
PISFCC, a student-led movement from the Pacific Islands, has long argued that climate protection is not a distant ideal but a critical necessity for the survival and prosperity of island communities. Julian Aguon, a revered human rights advocate, has played a pivotal role in steering climate justice into mainstream legal discourse. Together, their work sought to hold states accountable on the international stage and to advance robust climate policies rooted in human rights and solidarity.
The ICJ Case and Its Lasting Impact
Central to this year’s recognition is Aguon’s contribution to an International Court of Justice (ICJ) inquiry that reframed climate change as both an existential threat and a human rights issue. The ICJ Gutachten underscored that nations bear international obligations to mitigate warming, protect vulnerable populations, and address damages caused by climate change. By elevating climate action to the realm of international law, the ruling has given communities a stronger legal pathway to demand accountability and repair for climate-related harms.
What This Means for Climate Justice
Right Livelihood Foundation emphasizes that climate justice is not abstract theory but daily reality. For families facing rising seas, destructive storms, and degraded harvests, the award signals support for grassroots movements and legal strategies that prioritize people over profits. The laureates’ work demonstrates how coordinated, community-led action can help build a more just and sustainable future for all—especially for those most exposed to climate risks.
Other Laureates and the Global Message
In addition to PISFCC and Aguon, the prize recognized activists from Myanmar and Sudan, along with Audrey Tang, the former Taiwanese Digital Minister, for their roles in defending civil liberties and democratic resilience amid global challenges. The awards collectively send a message: climate justice is inseparable from human rights, governance, and digital inclusion. The recipients’ diverse geographies remind us that climate impacts and responses are a global tapestry requiring cross-border collaboration and solidarity.
The Road Ahead
As the prize draws attention to these urgent issues, communities, NGOs, and governments are called to translate symbolic recognition into concrete action. The ICJ-based approach provides a legal framework to press for accountability and reparations, while grassroots organizing continues to push for locally tailored climate adaptation and resilience measures. The laureates’ stories offer a blueprint for harnessing youth leadership, human rights advocacy, and innovative governance to forge a climate-just future.
About the Right Livelihood Foundation
The Right Livelihood Foundation notes that climate change is a pressing, lived reality for millions of people. By awarding courage, resilience, and creative solutions, the foundation aims to amplify impact and foster a sense of global responsibility to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
