Greta Thunberg has pledged a €1m prize win to groups working to protect the environment.
The climate activist won the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity for her work mobilising "younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists" Jorge Sampaio, chair of the prize jury, said.
While "honoured" to receive the accolade, the teenager said she is going to donate the money to causes fighting for a "sustainable world".
She will split the money up and will first give €100.000 to the SOS Amazonia Campaign which is tackling Covid-19 in the Amazon.
The next €100.000 will be donated to the Stop Ecocide Foundation to "support their work to make ecocide an international crime".
Taking to Twitter she said: "I’m extremely honoured to receive the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity! We’re in a climate emergency, and my foundation will as quickly as possible donate all the prize money of 1 million Euros to support organizations and projects that are fighting for a sustainable world, defending nature and supporting people already facing the worst impacts of the climate- and ecological crisis — particularly those living in the Global South.
"Starting with giving €100.000 to the SOS Amazonia Campaign led by @FridaysForFutureBrasil to tackle COVID-19 in the Amazon, and €100.000 to the Stop Ecocide Foundation (@ecocidelaw ) to support their work to make ecocide an international crime."
Social media users reacted warmly to the news with one calling the teen an "inspiration".
"Congratulations Greta," she said.
"You are such an inspiration. Always with your head held high! Both a role model and a rockstar!!!"
Another added: "Amazing job".
A Stop Ecocide Foundation spokesman said it is enormously grateful for the "generous and very timely gift"
"The funding will support #StopEcocide’s legal work to establish an international crime of #ecocide," they said on Instagram.
"Thank you for recognising the significance of this work, and its potential to steer our collective ship towards safety and a healthy recovery for people and planet."
