Science has the power to change the world - when it's open and accessible.
At Frontiers, we bridge the gap between research and policy, ensuring that scientific discoveries are freely available and open for everyone to read. By making research open, we empower it to drive meaningful action on pressing global challenges like climate and sustainability.
The world is witnessing a green renaissance: a movement toward sustainable practices that restore balance to our ecosystems and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
With two Frontiers Planet Prize champions recognized for their groundbreaking innovations and our active role in shaping the sustainability debate at key policy events this year, we are highlighting how mobilizing science can help policymakers, governments, and wider society find solutions for a sustainable future.
At the heart of our commitment is the Frontiers Planet Prize, a global competition that recognizes and celebrates researchers developing groundbreaking scientific solutions for planetary health. Inspired by the urgent need to prevent humanity from crossing nine planetary boundaries, the prize was launched on Earth Day 2022 to mobilize the scientific community and accelerate the search for transformative solutions.
The prize showcases research with the power to create lasting change, rewarding breakthroughs that help stabilize Earth's ecosystems. To date, we have recognized 43 National and 7 International Champions for their work, spanning freshwater biodiversity, air pollution mitigation, and ecosystem restoration. Our 2024 awards honored 23 National Champions, bringing together leading academics, policymakers, and philanthropists to foster collaboration—an essential step toward achieving planetary health.
Visit the Frontiers Planet Prize website >
We're committed to transforming cutting-edge research into actionable solutions that bridge science and policy. This year, Frontiers' CEO and co-founder, Dr Kamila Markram, was invited to join global leaders in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. Under the theme ‘Collaboration for the intelligent age,’ the event explored the transformative potential of converging technologies.
During the event, Kamila participated in a panel discussion at the House of Switzerland titled “COP 30 in the Amazon: Shaping Our Planetary Future.” In collaboration with Swissnex in Brazil, the session addressed the critical challenges confronting the Amazon. The discussion centered on aspirations for COP 30 and explored innovative solutions that integrate science, traditional knowledge, and technology to create a sustainable balance between humans and the Earth’s ecosystems. Key discussion points included:
transition from negotiation to action - highlighting Brazil's abundant low-carbon energy resources and the urgent need to move from dialogue to tangible steps
our open science agenda - advocating for governments to mandate open access for publicly funded research. Open science is vital to accelerate solutions for a healthy planet and to facilitate the transition to carbon-free economies.
The panel emphasized that collaboration from academia, business, governments, and society is essential to harness the full potential of open science and tackle global challenges. See the full video below.
Hear from Kamila on how to accelerate scientific solutions to solve the planetary crisis >
Find out more about our involvement at WEF Davos >
Some innovations don’t just solve problems—they inspire movements. Petra Holden, a Frontiers Planet Prize champion for South Africa, embodies this spirit. Recognized as a finalist for the prestigious GAEA Awards at WEF Davos in the category of Climate, Nature, and Resilience, her initiative - People in Nature and Climate Lab - connects communities with nature to build climate resilience.
Her work is about more than research - it’s about empowerment. By breaking barriers, especially for young women in science, Petra is lighting the way for future generations to take bold action for the planet. In the video below, she shares her thoughts on the present and future research directions for planetary boundary science and the part the Frontiers Planet Prize plays.
Kamila signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to influence global decision-making through flagship reports and events. This partnership will maximize the impact of scientific research by expanding opportunities for researchers to contribute to reports like the annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies, increasing their visibility and influence on global policy.
Through this collaboration, researchers will also engage in WEF events that bridge science and policy, connecting with policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to drive meaningful change. Additionally, the partnership will support interdisciplinary research networks, fostering innovative solutions to global challenges.
Read more about the partnership >
Kamila participated in a panel hosted by Swissnex during the WEF annual meeting 2025 in Davos. The session focused on Brazil's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, bolstered by President Lula's decision to host COP30.
Petra Holden, a Frontiers Planet Prize champion for South Africa, was named a finalist for the GAEA Awards at WEF Davos in the 'Climate, Nature and Resilience' category. She shares what drove her and her colleagues to participate in Frontiers Planet Prize.
At the International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly, Frontiers coordinated a pilot science mission focused on supporting Amazonian communities as conservation leaders.
This mission, led by the Frontiers Planet Prize International Champion Carlos Peres and João Vitor Campos-Silva, is dedicated to protecting ecosystems, restoring biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable bioeconomy — while empowering local communities as key stakeholders in conservation efforts. One of only two projects to receive funding, this initiative is a model for science-driven environmental solutions.
The partnership between the Frontiers Planet Prize and ISC represents a shared commitment to advancing scientific solutions for global sustainability. The UN Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2024–2033) presents a crucial opportunity to sharpen the role of science in this mission. This decade serves as a bridge between the Sustainable Development Goals set in 2015 and future global frameworks.
At the Global Knowledge Dialogue, the Frontiers Planet Prize 2024 National Champions Daniel Muth and Mia Strand shared how their research supports the sustainability agenda.
Prof Carlos Peres, University of East Anglia (pictured centre right with his fellow Frontiers Planet Prize International Champions), talks about his work 'Sustainable-use protected areas to catalyze enhanced livelihoods in rural Amazonia'
Gilbert De Gregorio, the Associate Director of Frontiers Planet Prize, highlights an important message at the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and The 3rd General Assembly of the International Science Council.
Open science isn’t just about publishing research—it’s about unleashing knowledge so that it can spark real-world change, drive policy, and create innovative solutions that address our planet’s most pressing challenges.
That’s why we launched the Open Science Charter at the 2023 COP meeting in Dubai. Supported by thousands of scientists, NGOs, and policymakers, this open letter calls for government-mandated open science, advocating for all publicly funded research—data and publications—to be openly available. Our goal is to bring this initiative to COP 30 in Brazil and make it part of the official negotiations for a global mandate.
We believe that knowledge should be accessible to all so we can find the solutions we need to have healthy lives on a healthy planet.
Learn more about the Open Science Charter and sign it here >
