Boyan Slat receives International Young Energy Leader Award in Qatar

Boyan Slat, founder of The Ocean Cleanup, has been honored with the International Young Energy Leader Award in Doha, Qatar. The award was presented during the Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards, an event focused on energy and sustainability.

Slat’s organization, based in Rotterdam, has reportedly removed 65 million kilograms of waste from oceans and rivers. A key component of their strategy involves using interceptors in river mouths to catch plastic before it reaches the sea, as research indicates that a small percentage of rivers are responsible for the majority of ocean plastic inflow. The organization aims to tackle pollution in approximately 250 rivers across 30 cities over the next three years.

During his acceptance speech, Slat noted the progress made since proposing his concept at age 16. He also highlighted the environmental persistence of plastic, citing the discovery of intact items from decades ago. While acknowledging the irony of receiving support from Qatar—a major exporter of fossil fuels and plastic raw materials—Slat continues to utilize such platforms to secure funding for global cleanup efforts.