Every year on Earth Day, we are reminded that sustainability isn't just a goal for the future; it's a responsibility we share today.

At the Prize, that responsibility is being boldly embraced by the next generation.

Through our Global High Schools category, we’ve seen that when young people are given the right support, their potential to protect the planet is limitless.

Since the launch of the Global High Schools category in 2013, 62 winning schools across six world regions have taken real action. Together, they have:
• Impacted the lives of over 56,599 students
• Benefited 480,660 people in their wider communities
• Generated 7.3 million kWh of electricity
• Saved over 751,000 litres of water
• Prevented 5,781 tonnes of CO2 emissions
But these numbers are more than just metrics; they represent local solutions with global relevance.

In the UK, Northfleet Technology College has enhanced campus biodiversity by installing a green roof, expanding its apiary from 2 to 10 beehives, and planting diverse aquatic flora; efforts that have led to a rise in local bird and insect life. In South Africa, the African Leadership Academy has implemented a greywater treatment system, treating 300,000 litres of greywater a year, providing water for crops and the campus’ sprinkler system, while offering students practical experience in sustainable energy and water conservation. And in Nepal, Bloom Nepal School installed a 43 kW solar power system and biodigester that now fully meet the campus’ energy needs, supplying clean electricity and biogas for cooking, while equipping over 300 students with hands-on experience in in renewable energy and waste-to-energy systems through an integrated curriculum.

From the coasts of Latin America to the islands of the Indian Ocean, these student-led projects are transforming their campuses and communities. Whether it's reforesting mangroves in Mexico, building a solar academy in Malawi, or installing a rainwater harvesting system in the Maldives to ensure clean water, each school is a testament to the Earth Day 2025 theme: "Our Power, Our Planet."

Because power doesn't just lie in the hands of governments or industries. It lies in classrooms, in student labs, and in the minds of young innovators who believe that sustainability is something we build, not wait for.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is proud to support these schools, not just in implementing projects, but in unlocking a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.

If you're a high school student with a vision to make a difference, apply to the Global High Schools category by 23 June 2025. Join a global network of youth-led impact, and be part of the progress.

Our Power. Our Planet. It’s time to let the next generation lead.