Greta Thunberg's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Greta Thunberg. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international recognition for her efforts to raise awareness about climate change. She is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of global warming. Thunberg's activism began with school strikes in Sweden, which evolved into a global movement known as Fridays for Future. She has delivered speeches at international forums, including the United Nations, advocating for urgent climate action and holding world leaders accountable for their environmental policies.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

May 2015: Asperger's diagnosis made public

In May 2015, Greta Thunberg's mother made her daughter's diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome public to help families in similar situations. Greta has described her Asperger's as her "superpower".

May 2018: Climate Change Essay Competition Win

In May 2018, before her school strike, Greta Thunberg won a climate change essay competition by Svenska Dagbladet for young people.

May 2018: Thunberg wins essay competition

In May 2018, Greta Thunberg won a climate change essay competition held by Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.

August 2018: Thunberg Begins School Climate Strikes and Public Speeches

In August 2018, Greta Thunberg initiated school climate strikes and began delivering public speeches, which led to her international recognition as a climate activist.

August 2018: Thunberg Begins School Strike

In August 2018, at the age of 15, Greta Thunberg began skipping school to protest outside the Swedish parliament. She held a sign reading 'Skolstrejk för klimatet' (School Strike for Climate) and distributed informational flyers, demanding stronger action on climate change.

2018: Thunberg addresses the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference

In 2018, Greta Thunberg addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Following her speech, weekly climate strike protests took place on Fridays around the world.

2018: Thunberg's activism evolved

Throughout 2018, Greta Thunberg's activism evolved from a solitary protest to taking part in demonstrations throughout Europe, making several high-profile public speeches, and mobilizing her followers on social media platforms. After Sweden's 2018 general election, Thunberg continued to school strike – but only on Fridays. She inspired school students across the globe to take part in her Friday school strikes. In December alone, more than 20,000 students held strikes in at least 270 cities.

February 2019: Academics' open letter of support

In February 2019, 224 academics signed an open letter expressing their support for Greta Thunberg's actions and the school strikes, contrasting with the political opposition she often faced.

March 2019: Regular protests outside the Swedish parliament

In March 2019, Greta Thunberg was still staging her regular protests outside the Swedish parliament every Friday, where other students occasionally joined her.

September 2019: Global Climate Strike

In September 2019, Greta Thunberg participated in the school strikes for climate which were attended by over four million people, with hundreds of thousands taking part in the protest in Montreal, described as the largest in the city's history. The mayor of Montreal gave her the Freedom of the City award. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance, and Thunberg spoke briefly with him.

2019: Multi-city climate protests

In 2019, Greta Thunberg sailed on a carbon-free yacht from England to New York where she addressed the UN Climate Action Summit. In her speech, Thunberg scolded the world's leaders by exclaiming "How dare you" in reference to their inaction to the climate crisis.

2019: Named Time Person of the Year

In 2019, Greta Thunberg was named the youngest Time Person of the Year and included in the Forbes list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.

2023: Thunberg's activism continued

In 2023, after Greta Thunberg graduated from high school, her activism continued to gain international attention and her protest tactics have become increasingly assertive. As an adult, her protests have included both peaceful demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience. Thunberg's activism has evolved to include other causes, supporting Ukraine, Palestine, Armenia and Western Sahara.

February 2024: Case against Thunberg dismissed in London protest

On 2 February 2024, the case against Greta Thunberg and others related to the London protest was dismissed by the presiding judge, citing insufficient evidence from the prosecution.