The Tang Prize Foundation announced Susan Solomon as the winner of the 2026 Sustainable Development Award on Monday, June 15. Solomon received the award in recognition of her breakthrough progress and outstanding leadership in the fields of atmospheric and climate science, which has shaped global sustainable development policies.

Currently the Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Solomon is internationally renowned for her groundbreaking research on ozone layer depletion and climate change. She combined Antarctic field observations, innovative model simulations, and spearheaded in-depth communication with policymakers and the public to play a key influence on the success of the Montreal Protocol and global climate negotiations.

Solomon thanked the Tang Prize Foundation and said she is looking forward to coming to Taiwan to receive the award and share her research experience on climate change. 

The Tang Prize, an award established by the late Taiwanese entrepreneur Samuel Yin (尹衍樑), recognizes individuals whose achievements have made exceptional contributions to the fields of sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology, and the rule of law. The 2026 award ceremony will be held on September 18 at Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung.