In a world marked by the fight against the environmental crisis, the scientist from Córdoba, Andrea Izquierdo, has been awarded the Frontiers Planet Prize 2026, positioning her among the 25 brightest minds on the planet in the field of environmental health and sustainability.
Her research focuses on lithium mining and how to integrate local and indigenous knowledge into energy transition policies, aiming for this process to be fair and participatory.
The jury, chaired by the renowned researcher Johan Rockström, highlighted that Izquierdo’s contribution offers answers to global challenges such as climate change, water security, and governance of critical resources.
A View from the Communities
Izquierdo’s work, published in Environmental Science & Policy, is titled: “Integrating Local and Indigenous Knowledge with Sustainable Development Goals in the Impact Assessment of Lithium Mining for a Just Energy Transition”.
The research was conducted in communities in Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca, where the scientist conducted interviews and surveys to understand how mining activity affects daily life. Among the most relevant findings:
- 15 main socio-environmental impacts, ranging from alterations in water cycles to changes in cultural and family dynamics.
- Indicators overlooked in global frameworks, such as the loss of cultural practices, water availability, and effects on mental health.
- 89% of respondents recognized social conflict and rights violations as one of the most severe impacts.
Science and Ancestral Knowledge
Izquierdo emphasizes that traditional knowledge is holistic and cannot be fragmented without losing its value. “We don’t want to speak for the communities; we want to speak with the communities,” she stresses, highlighting the importance of genuine dialogue that allows for the construction of joint policies.
Her approach seeks to ensure that the energy transition does not come at the expense of the rights of local populations but includes them as protagonists in the management of natural resources.
Trajectory and Institutional Support
The scientist conducts her work at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology (IMBIV), CONICET, and the National University of Córdoba, key institutions in Argentine environmental research.
The Frontiers Planet Prize, supported by the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, aims to accelerate the adoption of scientific solutions and bring them closer to public policy.
A Prize with Global Projection
In its fifth edition, the contest selected projects from six continents, published in high-impact journals such as Science, Nature, and The Lancet Planetary Health. In addition to Izquierdo, scientists from the United States, Germany, China, Brazil, Peru, and Senegal were recognized, with proposals on carbon capture, ocean protection, and biodegradable plastics production.
The final ceremony will be held on January 18, 2027, in Davos, Switzerland, where the three International Champions will be announced, each with a prize of 1 million dollars to scale their projects.
The recognition of Andrea Izquierdo not only highlights the issue of lithium mining in the Andean salt flats but also places Argentine science at the center of the global debate on just energy transition. Her work demonstrates that the integration of local and scientific knowledge is the only possible path to addressing the environmental crisis with sustainable, inclusive, and transparent solutions.
