Global Canopy Founder, Andrew Mitchell, awarded Royal Geographical Society’s top honour

Andrew Mitchell, Global Canopy Founder, has been awarded the 2023 Founder’s Medal for his lifetime’s contribution to protecting tropical rainforests and combating climate change.

This is part of a series of awards from the Royal Geographical Society that recognise extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork, teaching, policy, and public engagement.

The Royal Medals are approved by His Majesty the King, and are among the highest honours of their kind in the world. They have been presented since the 1830s and past recipients include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Fiona Reynolds and Lindsey Hilsum.

Nigel Clifford, President of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), said: “The fact that ‘ecosystem services’, ‘natural capital’ and ‘nature-based solutions’ are now commonplace concepts is in no small part thanks to Andrew’s efforts. His tireless work to protect the tropical rainforests of the world means he wholly deserves this honour. For over 40 years, Andrew has embraced every opportunity to achieve his objective as he moved from the world of scientific research into policy formation, and subsequently tackling the flows of money powering the deforestation economy.”

“I am delighted to accept this honour and dedicate it to every leaf, and every branch, and every creature that calls towering trees their home. In the face of deforestation and changing climate, our commitment to preserve these living giants and their diverse ecosystems has become ever more critical.”

Andrew Mitchell, Global Canopy Founder

Andrew continued: “I thank the Royal Geographical Society for catalysing leadership in research and debate on the biggest environmental issues of our time. This award will catalyse me to continue doing the same.”

Andrew founded Global Canopy in 2001 and remains working with the organisation as a Senior Advisor. In 2019, Andrew catalysed the formation of the Taskforce of Nature-related Finance Disclosures (TNFD), where he is now Vice Chair of its Stewardship Council.