Polar Wonders
Images depicting landscapes, wildlife and local communities in the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions.
Intro
The Environmental Photography Award
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's Environmental Photography Award was launched in 2021, in honour of the Foundation’s 15th anniversary. This annual award was created with the aim of rewarding photographers who put their creativity to good use in raising awareness on Earth protection. It has the dual purpose of celebrating the incredible beauty of our planet and highlighting the environmental challenges we face through five categories: Polar Wonders, Into the Forest, Ocean Worlds, Humanity versus Nature, Change Makers: Reasons for Hope.
Photographic art, with its immediate and universal language, represents a formidable vehicle for raising awareness. It reinforces, in a virtuous way, the process of awareness on major environmental issues, such as biodiversity, climate and the ocean.
Environmental photographers can encourage us to change, to innovate, to invent sustainable solutions in order to better rethink our lives and our economies. They reveal a real “field of possibilities” for new generations who aspire to a more harmonious relationship with Nature.
The photographs – almost 10,000 images participated in the 3rd edition of the competition in 2023 – are carefully selected by a jury of internationally renowned professional photographers for their technical and aesthetic excellence but also, and above all, for the relevance and strength of their message.
The exhibitions of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's Environmental Photography Award have already travelled to Italy, San Marino, Spain, the United States and France.
Categories
01

Images depicting landscapes, wildlife and local communities in the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions.
02

Images that illustrate the richness of our seas and oceans, whether on or under the surface, and showcase the diversity of marine wildlife.
03

Images that highlight the beauty of the flora and fauna that make up the forest ecosystem and the lives of native communities in the boreal, temperate and tropical forests.
04

Images that depict the conflicting relationship between humans and nature, and the negative impact of human activities on the environment: issues related to the consequences of climate change (droughts, wildfires, extreme climate events…), the loss of biodiversity (endangered species, disastrous interactions between humans and wildlife…), as well as the depletion of the world’s water resources.
05

Images that highlight the efforts and actions implemented globally by communities and organisations that help build a more sustainable world and more harmonious relationship between man and nature. It aims to demonstrate hope for Humanity and for the Planet.
Prizing
(chosen by the jury among the 5 category winners)
- The title “Environmental Photographer of the Year 2024”
- 5,000 € grant
- Invitation (including travel and accommodation) to visit the Amazon Research Station of the International University SEK, and to do a photo documentary in the field, in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle
- Invitation (including travel and accommodation) to the opening ceremony of the exhibition in the Principality of Monaco
- Public relations support of the Foundation through its communication channels, including social media, press, and newsletter
- 1,000 € grant for each of the 5 category winners
- Public relations support of the Foundation through its communication channels, including social media, press, and newsletter
(to be chosen for each across all categories)
- 500 € grant for the Public Award winning image
- 500 € grant for the Student’s Choice winning image
- Featured in the Environmental Photography Award 2024 exhibition in Monaco and on its international tour
- Published in the Environmental Photography Award 2024 book
The Jury
Our prestigious jury of professional photographers select the shortlisted and winning images for each category. From the category winners they select the Environmental Photographer of the Year.
Gallery
The Eye
Shaking Off the Snow
Parenting Goals
See No Evil
Galaxies at my feet
Sumatran serow
Gentoo Flying High
Ice angel
Emerging Grizzly
The Bitter Death of Birds
On the Thin Ice
Sunflower Paradise
Face to Face
Jellifish Mimicry
A Cool Drink from a Helping Hand
Hornet Hunters
Explosion of Monarchs
Millions of animals in the city
Rainy Release
Hopeless
Substitute Rhinos
Rainbow glacier
Asleep
For Protection
Forest of the Monarchs
Inner Space Hitchhicker
Russian Dolls
A Hammock in the Jungle
Hidden jewel
Guardian of the Ocean
The Hunt
Underwater colorful snowstorm
Seeds of Hope
Barrel Sponge Symphony Orchestra
Future Environmentalists
Arctic Love
Book
A book is published for each edition (bilingual French-English version), including all the shortlisted photographs, accompanied by explanatory texts or photographers’ testimonials.

2024 Edition
Hardcover, 28.5 x 25 cm, 104 pages