The 2025 Blue Planet Prize recipient, Jeremy Leggett, has navigated a career spanning geological research, environmental advocacy, and renewable energy entrepreneurship. Born in 1954, the British geologist transitioned from academic strata analysis at the Royal School of Mines to leading global efforts in solar adoption and nature recovery through a series of diverse professional organizations.
Early Career in Earth Sciences
Leggett completed a D.Phil. in Earth science at the University of Oxford before joining the faculty at the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, in 1978. For over a decade, his work focused on the history of Earth as preserved in shale deposits, receiving funding from energy firms such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell. During this tenure, he attained the status of reader at age 33 and earned the President's Prize from the Geological Society. Simultaneously, he established the Verification Technology Information Centre to address technical aspects of arms control treaty verification.
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In 1989, Leggett pivoted from academia to climate activism, joining Greenpeace International to campaign against global warming. This period earned him the US Climate Institute's Award for Advancing Understanding. His focus on energy security and the systemic risks associated with oil depletion led to his involvement with the UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security and the Carbon Tracker Initiative, where he served as the first chairman from 2010 to 2018.
Solar Energy Entrepreneurship
Leggett founded Solarcentury in 1997, serving as CEO until 2007 and chairman until 2015. Under his guidance, the company secured multiple honors, including the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2011. He also established SolarAid in 2006, a charity supported by five percent of Solarcentury's profits. This initiative introduced the retail brand SunnyMoney, which distributed over a million solar lights across Africa to displace the use of kerosene lanterns. Statkraft, a Norwegian company, acquired Solarcentury in 2020.
Nature Recovery and Writing
Since 2020, Leggett has focused on nature recovery through Highlands Rewilding, a company that manages land to increase carbon sequestration and biodiversity. In 2026, he founded NatureProsperity, serving as its CEO. His literary contributions include five books, ranging from his 2000 publication, The Carbon War, to his 2016 work, The Winning of the Carbon War. He continues to lecture on business and society at the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and St Gallen.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Education: Royal School of Mines
- Solarcentury Founder: 1997
- SolarAid Founder: 2006
- Blue Planet Prize Winner: 2025
- Highlands Rewilding Chair: Since 2020
- NatureProsperity CEO: Since 2026
Questions readers ask
What is the primary objective of Highlands Rewilding?
The company aims to increase carbon sequestration and biodiversity while creating rural employment opportunities and demonstrating sustainable land management models.
How did SolarAid impact African markets?
SolarAid founded the retail brand SunnyMoney, which sold over a million solar lights to replace kerosene lanterns, with profits reinvested into the organization.
Achievements
- Affiliated with University of Oxford
- Educated at Royal School of Mines
