Professor Steve Griffiths of the American University of Sharjah has been named the UAE’s National Champion at the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize for his groundbreaking work on chemical advancements in carbon capture technology, marking a significant milestone for the country’s role in climate solutions.
Professor Steve Griffiths from the American University of Sharjah has been named the UAE’s National Champion in the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize. This achievement marks the first time the country has been recognized in this global competition. The winners were announced by Frontiers on April 22, which was Earth Day, and they mentioned that a panel of 100 independent experts selected the national champions. (frontiersin.org)
Griffiths, who serves as the vice chancellor for research at AUS, received this honor based on a study published in Nature Reviews Chemistry. The paper explores what chemical advancements are necessary to enable large-scale, industrial carbon capture. It reviews five key categories of carbon capture technologies that are already in the prototype phase or beyond, arguing that there’s enough scientific and technical depth now to help guide both industry efforts and policymaking. (nature.com)
He conducted this research alongside colleagues from Heriot-Watt University, including Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer. She heads the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre and the Research Centre for Carbon Solutions. The paper’s list of authors features Griffiths, Maroto-Valer, John M. Andresen, Jeannie Z. Y. Tan, and Joao M. Uratani. (nature.com)
The focus on carbon capture is part of a larger challenge faced by climate technology, particularly in the Gulf region and elsewhere. Heavy industries like cement production, steelmaking, chemicals, and oil and gas are among the most difficult to decarbonize because their processes involve high temperatures and complex exhaust gases. The review in Nature points out that the chemistry involved in capture systems influences both their cost and effectiveness, while Heriot-Watt describes this work as crucial for sectors that need cleaner options without waiting for complete electrification. (nature.com)
In an official statement carried by WAM, Griffiths mentioned that industries hard to reduce emissions from, roughly 40 percent of global greenhouse gases and 85 percent of worldwide manufacturing emissions, can’t be addressed merely through efficiency improvements and renewable energy sources. According to him, the study provides an evidence-based perspective on what technologies are effective, where they can be applied, and how close they are to real-world deployment. (hw.ac.uk)
The Frontiers Planet Prize describes itself as a competition aimed at speeding up solutions to the planet’s pressing boundaries, offering three prizes of $1 million each year. The list of 2026 National Champions highlights Griffiths from the UAE, spotlighting the country’s rising prominence in research that connects materials science, industry, and climate policy. (frontiersin.org)
This research’s impact has already gone beyond academic circles. WAM reported that the findings were integrated into a policy report developed alongside the United Nations University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Griffiths is scheduled to present his work at the Frontiers Planet Prize ceremony in Davos in January 2027, where he remains a contender for the main international award. (hw.ac.uk)
- https://www.bahrainnews.net/news/279007638/aus-professor-named-uae-champion-in-global-science-prize – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-025-00733-3 – This article, titled ‘Chemistry advances driving industrial carbon capture technologies,’ discusses how recent chemical innovations are enabling more efficient and scalable carbon capture solutions for heavy industries such as oil and gas, steel, cement, aluminium, and chemicals. The study, published in Nature Reviews Chemistry, assesses five families of carbon capture technology at or beyond the prototype stage, providing industry and policymakers with a clear, evidence-based picture of what works, where, and how close they are to deployment. ([nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-025-00733-3?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.hw.ac.uk/news/2025/advances-in-chemistry-unlock-new-possibilities-for-industrial-carbon-capture-new-research-finds – This news release from Heriot-Watt University highlights a study led by Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer and Dr. Steve Griffiths, published in Nature Reviews Chemistry. The research discusses how breakthroughs in chemistry are enabling more efficient and scalable carbon capture solutions for heavy industries such as oil and gas, steel, cement, aluminium, and chemicals. The study assesses five families of carbon capture technology at or beyond the prototype stage, providing industry and policymakers with a clear, evidence-based picture of what works, where, and how close they are to deployment. ([hw.ac.uk](https://www.hw.ac.uk/news/2025/advances-in-chemistry-unlock-new-possibilities-for-industrial-carbon-capture-new-research-finds?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/frontiers-planet-prize-25-solutions-for-planetary-crises-show-where-policymakers-must-act/ – This article from the World Economic Forum discusses the Frontiers Planet Prize, a scientific competition that awards three $1 million prizes to scientists advancing our understanding of planetary boundaries and proposing concrete solutions for real-world transformation. The article highlights a new report published alongside the prize, which proposes policy action across four pillars: decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, managing water systems under volatile conditions, protecting biodiversity in productive systems, and economic and institutional transformation for sustainability. ([weforum.org](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/frontiers-planet-prize-25-solutions-for-planetary-crises-show-where-policymakers-must-act/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.frontiersin.org/about/frontiers-planet-prize – This page provides information about the Frontiers Planet Prize, the world’s largest science prize in scientific solutions for planetary health. The prize awards three $1 million USD prizes annually to breakthrough research that advances planetary boundary science—the nine limits that define the health of our planet. The prize aims to accelerate science to address the planetary crisis through global collaboration and elevate breakthrough research to drive action through policy and funding. ([frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/about/frontiers-planet-prize?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-026-00802-1 – This article, titled ‘Carbon capture with COFs,’ discusses a polyamine-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) that overcomes traditional direct air capture limitations with rapid CO₂ adsorption kinetics and high capacity, offering a promising solution for efficient carbon capture and sustainable climate mitigation. ([nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-026-00802-1?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXjape86GP8 – This video announces the opening of the 4th edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize for nominations. The prize aims to recognize research that advances our knowledge of the Earth system and delivers real-world solutions to keeping us safe within the planet’s boundaries. The video provides information on how institutions can register as National Nominating Bodies and details about the submission process.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article reports on Professor Steve Griffiths being named the UAE National Champion in the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize, with the announcement made on April 22, 2026. This is recent and original content, with no evidence of prior publication or recycling.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Professor Steve Griffiths and Professor Johan Rockström. Searches for these quotes did not reveal any earlier usage, indicating they are original to this article.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article is sourced from Bahrain News, which is a lesser-known publication. While it provides a detailed account, the lack of widespread recognition raises questions about its credibility. The article also references reputable sources like Nature Reviews Chemistry and Heriot-Watt University, which adds some reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Professor Griffiths’ research and the Frontiers Planet Prize are plausible and align with information from reputable sources. However, the reliance on a lesser-known publication for the primary source slightly diminishes confidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides recent and original content about Professor Steve Griffiths being named the UAE National Champion in the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize. While the claims are plausible and supported by reputable sources, the reliance on a lesser-known publication for the primary source and the lack of direct links to original studies or official announcements slightly diminish confidence in the article’s reliability.
