When it comes to defense and environmental protection, you have to be sincere: “green washing”, the art of greening your image, is clearly in fashion.
But this is certainly not the case for the crown brand, which decided to invest in this subject well before it was fashionable: its entrepreneurial Rolex awards were created there. almost half a century ago, in 1976. More precisely on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Oyster, the world's first waterproof wristwatch.
Through this program, Rolex supports exceptional people whose innovative projects contribute to deepening our knowledge of the world, protecting the environment, preserving habitats and species and improving living conditions on Earth.
In 48 years of existence, this biennial program, which is now part of the brand's Perpetual Planet Initiative (launched in 2019), will have supported 160 Laureates, whose projects will have had a significant impact in 65 countries.
Its goal: to support “people and organizations who use science and technologies to understand environmental challenges and offer solutions to restore the balance of our ecosystems.
» To date, more than 30 ecosystems and 50 threatened species have been protected by the Laureates' projects.
New winners for 2024. Eva Diallo / Nyani Quarmyne / Rolex / Sébastien Agnetti
The Awards recognize projects focused on the environment, science and health, applied techniques, cultural heritage and exploration.
Projects are judged on their originality and potential impact on a global scale, but also on the entrepreneurial spirit of the candidates.
Five Laureates are selected every two years.
They each receive financial support to develop their project and join the community of former Laureates, most of whom continue to collaborate today.
The Winners were selected by a panel made up of ten world-renowned experts and leaders in their field.
Five new winners join their predecessors this year.
Constantino Aucca Chutas Sofia Lopez Maçan / Rolex
Constantino Aucca Chutas
The biologist will strengthen his program of restoration and protection of forest ecosystems in the high Andes with the support of local communities.
He created the organization Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) in 2000 and co-founded Acción Andina in 2018. He has planted 4.5 million trees, secured the participation of more than 60 local communities and created 16 protected areas in the Andes, particularly in Peru.
Beth Koigi's atmospheric water generators.
Eva Diallo / Rolex
Beth Koigi
The young Kenyan social entrepreneur will provide generators that transform humidity in the air into water to 3,000 people, spread across ten communities, who need access to drinking water.
Since co-founding her start-up in 2017, Beth Koigi's solar-powered atmospheric water generators produce more than 200,000 liters of drinking water per month, benefiting more than 1,900 people .
The potential of this innovative technology is enormous.
In Kenya, Beth Koigi's home country, half the population does not have access to clean drinking water, while according to the United Nations, half the world's population could be living in areas of high water stress by 2030.
Protecting a forest rich in biodiversity in Ivory Coast.
Nyani Quarmyne / Rolex
Inza Koné
The primatologist will protect a forest rich in biodiversity in Ivory Coast, while contributing to the preservation of its endangered fauna and the reduction of poverty in the region.
After years of working with the inhabitants of the Forêt des Marais Tanoé-Ehy, the latter became a nature reserve managed by the community in 2021. The Rolex Prize will allow Inza Koné to continue to preserve its exceptional biodiversity, to support the management community and ensure sustainable income for the region's inhabitants.
Denica Riadini-Flesch founded SukkhaCitta.
Sébastien Agnetti / Rolex
Denica Riadini-Flesch
The social entrepreneur will grow her 'farm-to-wardrobe' fashion supply chain, empowering women and preserving local Indonesian cultures.
After a successful academic career as an economist, Denica Riadini-Flesch founded SukkhaCitta to provide rural Indonesian artisans with business and environmental management skills and access to clients in 32 countries.
Create reserves for wild camels.
LIU XIAOXUE / Rolex
Liu Shaochuang
The remote sensing specialist will study the habitats of Tartary's wild camels with a view to creating two new reserves to save the last wild herds.
Drawing on his scientific expertise that played a key role in the development of China's lunar and Mars rovers, Liu Shaochuang will track wild Tartary camels in the Gobi Desert regions of China and Mongolia by satellite to protect the species in the future.
LIU XIAOXUE / Rolex