Rolex Awards 2026 Recognize Five Laureates Championing Environmental and Social Impact
Rolex has announced the five recipients of the 2026 Rolex Awards for Enterprise, a program celebrating its 50th anniversary as part of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. The laureates, hailing from Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru, China, and the United States, were selected for their innovative approaches to addressing critical environmental and social challenges. Rolex aims to increase its positive impact through continuous support in these fields.
Meet the 2026 Laureates
Binbin Li – Protecting Giant Pandas in China
Environmental scientist Binbin Li is dedicated to protecting the endangered giant panda population in the mountainous bamboo forests of central China. With fewer than 2,000 giant pandas remaining in the wild, their habitat is threatened by land use for livestock grazing. Li is collaborating with local communities to develop sustainable livestock grazing solutions that minimize the impact on pandas and their fragile ecosystem.
Farwiza Farhan – Conserving the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra
Forest conservationist Farwiza Farhan is working to protect the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia, a vital biodiversity hotspot. This ecosystem is uniquely home to elephants, tigers, orangutans, and rhinoceroses – the last place on Earth where these species coexist. Farhan empowers women, grassroots organizations, and local communities to advocate for Indigenous voices in environmental decision-making and combat deforestation. Rolex Newsroom highlights her work.
Pardis Sabeti – Fighting Infectious Diseases in West Africa
Medical geneticist Pardis Sabeti is on the front lines of fighting infectious diseases and preventing potential pandemics in West Africa. Utilizing pioneering technologies and algorithms, she detects and contains virus outbreaks, saving countless lives. Sabeti as well extends her expertise by training neighboring countries to prepare for potential outbreaks.
Rachel Ikemeh – Restoring Nigeria’s Niger Delta Forest
Conservationist Rachel Ikemeh has successfully protected over 5,839 hectares of forest in the Niger Delta, a region central to Nigeria’s oil industry. Her community-driven approach has brought the Niger Delta red colobus monkey back from the brink of extinction and continues to safeguard the Delta’s biodiversity and the livelihoods of the over 2,500 people who depend on it.
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza – Saving Bees in the Amazon
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza is dedicated to protecting stingless bees in the Amazon rainforest. She was the first to identify the link between deforestation and the decline of these crucial pollinators. Recognizing their importance to plant life, food production, and the overall ecosystem, Espinoza secured legal protection and rights for the bees, working alongside Indigenous communities to conserve both the bees and the Amazon rainforest.
The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative
Launched in 2019, the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative supports individuals and organizations working to protect the planet. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise are a key component of this initiative, providing laureates with financial support and access to a global network.