Domingo Peas Receives Sweden’s Largest Sustainability Award and 1 Million SEK for Safeguarding the Amazon

The recipient of this year’s WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award is Domingo Peas, an Indigenous leader from the Achuar Nation in Ecuador, who has successfully united 30 different Indigenous nations to collectively protect 35 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest – an area the size of Germany. Meanwhile, 20-year-old changemaker Juan Pierre from Mauritius is awarded the WIN WIN Youth Award for his work to include young people in policy reform processes and successfully drive these reforms on both national and international levels.

For 25 years, the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award has celebrated outstanding efforts for a sustainable future. This year’s theme, Trailblazing Leadership, highlights leaders who challenge entrenched structures, unite actors, and drive real change. Today, the laureates of the WIN WIN Award of 1,000,000 SEK and the WIN WIN Youth Award of 50,000 SEK are officially announced.

“It is with great pride that I present the 2025 laureates of the WIN WIN Award and the WIN WIN Youth Award – two visionaries who, with courage, heart, and decisive action, bring to life the dream of a more sustainable world. This year’s awardees show that sustainability is not a compromise, but a win-win – for people and the planet, for innovation and responsibility, for today and tomorrow,” says Sara Larsson, Executive Director of the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award.

DOMINGO PEAS – WINNER OF THE WIN WIN AWARD 2025

For his unifying and visionary leadership in environmental stewardship, Domingo Peas is awarded the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2025.

As an Indigenous leader from the Achuar nation in Ecuador and President of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, he has been at the forefront of the fight against Amazon exploitation since the 1990s. He has succeeded in uniting 30 diverse Indigenous nations to steward 35 million hectares of rainforest—an area as vast as Germany and an ecosystem vital to both local communities and global climate stability.

With an inclusive leadership philosophy rooted in deep listening, consensus-building, and decisive action, he has forged alliances both among Indigenous nations and beyond, successfully bringing these critical issues to the global.

He has established a globally recognized model for Indigenous-led environmental protection and demonstrates a remarkable ability to navigate challenges, overcome resistance, and drive systemic transformation. Domingo Peas exemplifies how true leadership transcends boundaries to protect our shared future.

“I receive the WIN WIN Award with deep gratitude, on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples of the Sacred Headwaters of the Amazon. This recognition honors our ancestral fight to defend the rainforest, protect life, and walk with dignity toward a regenerative future for all of humanity—for both the visible and invisible beings. This award is not only for me, but for all the guardians of the Amazon who, with wisdom, courage, and sacrifice, have protected the forests, rivers, and life itself in the face of countless threats. True leadership sustains hope amidst destruction and keeps us strong without losing tenderness. May this recognition amplify the urgent call of the Earth and of those who have lived in harmony with her since time immemorial, so that together we may build a future of unity and balance,” says Domingo Peas.

JUAN PIERRE – WINNER OF THE WIN WIN YOUTH AWARD

For his outstanding leadership in climate action and youth engagement, Juan Pierre is awarded the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Youth Award 2025. As a young global changemaker from Mauritius, he has successfully built bridges between young people and decision-makers, ensuring that youth perspectives are included in shaping future policies.

At only 20 years old, he has already made significant contributions in international relations, national innovation, and development. He has been involved in policy development, research, and climate finance mechanisms through organisations such as the World Bank, the EU, UNFCCC, and UNICEF. His work over the past five years led him to become the youngest member of the UN’s CTCN Expert Panel.

Recognising that true representation requires collective voices, he led a nationwide youth consultation as the Ministry of Finance’s lead youth advisor in Mauritius. The process engaged 13,500 young people and over 30 organisations to shape impactful policy reforms. His efforts have resulted in major investments of 900 million MUR in innovative sustainability projects and contributed to structural changes – including free internet access for youth and its integration into national mental health policy.

Juan Pierre embodies a kind of leadership that is not just about personal achievement, but about inspiring, mobilising, and empowering others to create meaningful and lasting change – working toward a just and sustainable future through evidence-based policy development.

“They say climate action is a marathon, not a sprint—turns out it's more like a relay race where each of us carries the baton for a while before passing it on. Today, as I accept this incredible honor, I'm acutely aware of all the hands that helped carry that baton alongside mine. This award isn't just a recognition of my work, but a testament to the power of 13,500 young Mauritian voices who refused to be footnotes in their own futures. We've transformed policy papers into promises kept, and sustainability from boardroom buzzword to boots-on-ground reality. I accept the WIN WIN Youth Award with profound gratitude and the promise that this isn't the final chapter—it's merely the end of the introduction,"says Juan Pierre.

ANNOUNCED AT THE GOTHENBURG SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT

The laureates were announced at the newly launched Gothenburg Sustainability Summit on 9 April, where 420 leaders from the public sector, academia, and business gathered to explore the role of leadership in sustainable and peaceful development.

During WIN WIN Week, 13–17 October, the laureates will come to Gothenburg to share their knowledge through various activities. The week concludes with the gala evening at Börsen on 17 October, where they will receive their awards.

The WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award is a non-profit association with a dedicated secretariat, an independent jury, and funding from the City of Gothenburg, the Region Västra Götaland, SEB, SKF, AP2, Getinge, Essity, Elanders, Coop Väst, Carl Bennet AB, Mardi Gras, the University of Gothenburg, and Chalmers University of Technology.