Launched in 2019, Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative recognizes the achievements in sustainability and environmental activism. Selected for their positive impact, originality, leadership skills, and alignment with the initiative’s values, laureates are supported by the Rolex Perpetual Plant Initiative and given access to its extensive network. With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Awards, Rolex announces five new laureates based in Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru, China and the United States. Get to know a little more about these years laureates of the 2026 Rolex Awards.
Binbin Li
Photo courtesy of Rolex.
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Binbin Li is an environmental scientist actively protecting Chinese wildlife. In the mountainous bamboo forests of central China, lays less than 2,000 giant pandas in the wild. However, the pandas and their habitat are at risk due to the land needed for free-ranging livestock. With the help of local communities, Li is finding a sustainable solution for livestock grazing without further endangering the panda and its unique habitat.
Farwiza Farhan
Photo courtesy of Rolex.
Farwiza Farhan is a forest conservationist working to fight against deforestation and the destruction of the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra. This ecosystem is home to elephants, tigers, orangutans and rhinoceros; it is also the last place on earth where these species co-exist. Bringing together women, grassroots organizations and local communities, her work continually advocates for Indigenous voices to lead environmental decision-making.
Pardis Sabeti
Photo courtesy of Rolex.
Medical geneticist Pardis Sabeti, uses pioneering technologies and algorithms to detect and contain infectious diseases. Based in West Africa, Sabeti is on the frontline fighting virus outbreaks and potential pandemics, saving millions of lives in the process. She also lends her skills and knowledge by training surrounding countries nearing a potential outbreak.
Rachel Ikemeh
Photo courtesy of Rolex.
Successfully protecting over 5,839 hectares of the Delta’s forest, found at the center of Nigeria’s oil industry, Rachel Ikemeh is a conservationist that enables community-driven action. She is credited with bringing the Niger Delta red colobus monkey back from the brink of extinction and is continuing to protect the Delta and the over 2,500 people who rely on the ecosystem and its biodiversity.
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza
Photo courtesy of Rolex.
Rosa Vasquez Espinoza is saving the bees in the Amazon. She was the first to recognize the relationship between the deforestation in the Amazon and the decline of stingless bees. The insects and their pollination are critical to plants, food production and the success of the entire ecosystem. Through her work in Peru, Espinoza was able to gain legal protection and recognition of legal rights for the bees. Alongside Indigenous communities she continues to fight for the stingless bees and the Amazon rainforest.
Feature image courtesy of Rolex.
