Feargal Sharkey and Dale Vince

Nominated by Chris Packham, Big Issue Ambassador 

Bringing their influence to animal welfare, Sharkey and Vince joined Packham in October 2025 to campaign for the release of 15 gentoo penguins kept in the basement of SEA LIFE London Aquarium. In tandem with groups including Freedom for Animals and Born Free, they called for the penguins to be rehoused in a place where they have access to natural light and fresh air. Outside this campaign, former Undertones frontman Sharkey has also made a name for himself by holding the UK water industry to account – for which he was named a Changemaker in 2023. Vince, meanwhile, has driven climate action through his Ecotricity company, as well as being a member of Patriotic Millionaires UK, demanding higher taxes for wealthy people like himself.

Hugo Tagholm, Oceana UK

From Cornwall, Hugo Tagholm is executive director and vice president of Oceana UK, campaigning for stronger protection of the UK’s seas. He previously led Surfers Against Sewage, taking action “from the beachfront to the front benches of parliament” across issues including plastic pollution, water quality, climate change and ocean rewilding. Hugo founded the Plastic Free Communities movement and helped launch major public initiatives including the Million Mile Beach Clean. He is a fellow of the Edinburgh University Ocean Leaders programme and was awarded a Doctorate of Science by the University of Exeter for services to the marine environment. 

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Green New Deal Rising 

This youth-led movement (right) campaigns for climate justice and a clean-energy future. Organising across the UK, the group is pushing for bold action to tackle the climate and nature crises while also addressing inequality and the rising cost of living. Their vision links climate solutions to everyday life, calling for major public investment in green jobs, warmer homes, nature restoration and stronger communities. Made up of young people from diverse backgrounds and places, Green New Deal Rising is building pressure through direct action to demand change at the scale we need right now.

Paul Powlesland    

Paul Powlesland

Using the law to stand up for the natural world, Powlesland is a UK barrister and founder of Lawyers for Nature, supporting communities and activists to protect trees, rivers and wildlife. He specialises in defending the rights of environmental campaigners to protest, and advises local groups on using environmental law and regulation to challenge damaging decisions. A leading voice in the growing Rights of Nature movement, Paul argues that nature should be recognised in law and protected from exploitation. He is also a guardian of the River Roding, where he lives on a boat in East London.

North East Young Dads and Lads    

North East Young Dads and Lads (NEYDL) is a parenting and youth support charity that is also helping young fathers take practical climate action in their communities. Through Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees, a three-year partnership with Baltic and Newcastle University funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, NEYDL is linking nature, wellbeing and everyday life in an urban environment. The project includes beekeeping on Baltic’s rooftop hives, guided nature talks, creative workshops, climate clubs and cycling through the “Wheelie Good Dads” ride-outs and bike loan scheme. It supports skills, confidence and helps people to build stronger connections with nature.

Against Sewage Pollution campaigners

Against Sewage Pollution  

This volunteer-led charity in Oxfordshire is working to end sewage pollution in the River Windrush and nearby waterways. Combining citizen science with professional expertise, the group investigates and analyses water quality and sewage discharge data, helping expose pollution that might otherwise remain hidden. Their focus is both action and accountability: raising awareness, informing the public with evidence, and campaigning for stronger standards so rivers are safe for wildlife and people. As their nominator wrote, untreated sewage is being dumped into the water “sometimes in huge quantities and for long periods of time”.

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