Eco-bank initiative wins the Children’s Climate Prize 2018

13-year-old José Adolfo from Peru is the winner of this year's Children's Climate Prize. He is being praised for his eco-initiative, which he runs together with his partners. Jurymember Micael Dahlén, professor at Stockholm School of Economics, raved over Josés unique economic perspective and sees great development potential in terms of consumption patterns and sustainability.

José Adolfo is 13 years old and comes from Arequipa, Peru. He has run an eco-bank for children together with his partners since he was 7 years old. The eco-bank transforms environmental awareness and the act of recycling into a currency that children can use to buy products at the eco-bank or exchange for real money. Children can also start their own bank accounts where they deposit their collected waste. At the bank, the waste is converted into money and they can choose to save it or withdraw the money immediately.

Josés eco-bank has 10 educational centres with over 3000 actively engaged children and young adults who learn to invest and manage circular economic systems. This gives the children financial opportunities that they would never otherwise have. For them, the eco-bank entails an economic independence where they are not dependent on others (eg. parents). The system clearly illustrates that the planet's common resources are limited and that we must be climate-conscious and recycle the products that we no longer use. This way caring about the environment also becomes an investment. The bank has attracted attention worldwide and José has received several environmental prizes. The bank holds the certificate, Social Technology since 2017, granted by the Bank of Brazil and the World Bank.

The jury’s motivation:

José's eco-bank is a brilliant way of linking economy and climate impact, both in thought and practice. Children can take micro loans, and pay, with items that are recyclable. The system clearly illustrates that the planet's common resources are limited and that we must be climate conscious and recycle the products that we no longer use. It creates awareness of consumption. This way caring about the environment becomes an investment. A system that gives children both economic independence and power to influence the climate.
The potential impact is amazing.

See film about: Cooperative Eco-bank for children - José Adolfo, 13 years, Arequipa, Peru

About the Children’s Climate Prize

To spotlight the climate issue from the perspective of the next generation, with the insight that the future at stake is theirs, Swedish renewable energy company Telge Energi launched the Children’s Climate Prize. The Children’s Climate Prize is a two-day event, the award show at the Stockholm City Hall November 20th and the very appreciated Children’s Climate Talks at Södertälje Town Hall on Wednesday, November 21st where the finalists present their projects more in-depth. Read more about the prize on our website.

Press contact:
Jonna Holmgren
+46 70-888 05 02
jonna@massivpr.se