World Future Policy Award goes to Tiroler Umweltanwaltschaft

Neshan Gunasekera, CEO of World Future Council: „This year’s theme is more than just urgent. It is existential. To protect life on Earth, decisions must be based on the principles of stewardship for the Earth, inspired by local knowledge. Our independent jury felt that the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice puts these principles into practice in an exemplary manner. It has a legal right of appeal on behalf of nature. It therefore represents the voice of nature in construction projects and other planned interventions in the landscape and ecosystems. What is special about this is that the Environmental Ombudsoffice offers dialogue as early as the planning stage. Compromises and solutions are often worked out directly at the mountain lake rather than later in the courtroom. In addition, the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice strengthens people’s inner connection with nature through innovative projects, such as the initiative for the rights of the Isel, the last free-flowing glacial river in the Alps.”

Johannes Kostenzer, Environmental Ombudsoffice of the Province of Tyrol: „The Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice is delighted to accept this international award on behalf of its clients—nature and the environment in our province. The award recognises the expertise and unique working methods of our institution. We are active in the field every day in practical projects and offer entrepreneurs, builders, farmers and citizens the opportunity for direct dialogue at any time in order to find sustainable solutions together. Talking takes time, empathy and respect. The good thing is that dialogue works. We often achieve results that are satisfactory for all sides – people, the economy and nature. ”

Katiana Orluc, member of the Supervisory Board and founding member of the World Future Council: „The WFC is committed to giving a voice to future generations and nature. For over 30 years, the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice has been impressively demonstrating how this can be achieved in practice. It is redefining the relationship between people and the environment and proving that respect, connection with nature and genuine citizen participation are a powerful recipe for success. We hope that this example will set a precedent worldwide.”

The World Future Council brings together 50 personalities from around the world who are committed to future-oriented and solution-oriented laws, institutions and policies. They include economists Maja Göpel and Otto Scharmer (Germany) and social and environmental activists Vandana Shiva (India) and Wanjira Mathai (Kenya). The Honorary Council includes environmental scientist and former politician Ernst Ulrich v. Weizsäcker; also the recently deceased researcher Jane Goodall was a member. The Council was founded in 2007 by Jakob von Uexkull, founder of the Alternative Nobel Prize; the award was founded in 2009.

The Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice’s Office will be honoured alongside seven other laws and frameworks from around the world at a high-profile award ceremony in Abu Dhabi at the International Union for Conservation of Nature Congress (IUCN).

www.iucncongress2025.org

The eight World Future Policy Award winners 2025

1. Aotearoa Neuseeland: Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act (2017)
2. Österreich: Tiroler Umweltanwaltschaft (1991/2005 Naturschutzgesetz)
3. Bhutan: Biodiversity Act (2003)
4. Panama: Law 287, which recognises the Rights of Nature and the related obligations of the State with these rights (2022)
5. Südafrika: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (NEM:BA)(2004)
6. Spanien: Law 19/2022 Granting Mar Menor and its basin status of a legal person (2022)
7. Uganda: The National Environment Act (2019)
8. International: BBNJ – Übereinkommen im Rahmen des Seerechtsübereinkommens der Vereinten Nationen über die Erhaltung und nachhaltige Nutzung der biologischen Vielfalt der Meere in Gebieten außerhalb der nationalen Hoheitsgewalt (2023)