Ester Gubi and Ann Liljas receive the KI Sustainability Prize 2025
KI has awarded this year's Sustainability Prize to Ester Gubi, a doctor and sociologist, and Ann Liljas, associate professor in global public health and assistant lecturer, both at the Department of Global Public Health at KI. They receive the prize for their outstanding contributions to sustainable development. The prize was awarded for the third time and in connection with KI's Sustainability Day on 2 April.
Ester Gubi´s interest in sustainability issues was sparked during the 2018 heat wave in Sweden. The climate crisis suddenly came close and she immersed herself in research.
“I understood that climate change will affect life on Earth far into the future and that we need both behavioral and system changes to counteract the worst consequences,” says Ester Gubi, researcher at the Department of Global Public Health.
For Ann Liljas, it started in childhood with the World Wildlife Fund's “Panda Club”, which at the time was largely about the deforestation of rainforests. But it was in connection with Greta Thunberg's school strike in 2018 that she really began to understand what climate change entailed.
“Both Ester and I think it is important that we who work in medicine and public health realize that the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity are a threat to human health - and that at the same time there are significant health benefits in slowing down the climate crisis and the loss of nature. A medical university has an important role - and a great responsibility - to contribute to a societal development that handles these crises adequately,” says Ann Liljas, researcher at the same department.
Ester Gubi and Ann Lilja's tip for employees and students at KI who want to work more for sustainable development in research and education is to seek out others who are committed.
“Spread knowledge and talk to colleagues. The climate and biodiversity crisis concerns us all.”
How does it feel to win KI's Sustainability Prize?
“Fun! We would like to thank the council for allowing us to receive the prize this year. It is great to receive confirmation that the work we put into environmental issues, from working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from KI's own activities to highlighting the connection between climate and health in teaching, is being recognized and appreciated,” concludes Ann Liljas.
The jury's motivation
“Ann Liljas and Ester Gubi are awarded Kl Sustainability Prize 2025 for their outstanding contributions to sustainable development.
They have worked both short-term and long-term to reduce negative environmental impact, from reducing air travel and waste to enhancing positive environmental impact by developing and integrating education on topics such as climate change and health at various educational levels.
Their initiatives will lead to significant and long-term results, serving as a model for others and deserving recognition with Kl Sustainability Prize 2025.”
How to get involved
Students who want to get involved in climate work can contact Students for Sustainable Development – SSD – Medicinska Föreningen. As an employee, you can consider becoming an environmental representative.
The researcher network Researchers Desk, with several KI members, works to reach out with science to the public and decision-makers.
KI's page for sustainable development is also a good place for inspiration and information.
On the Employee Portal you can read more about what you as an employee can do in the work for the environment, climate and sustainable development.