Bertrand Piccard

Bertrand Piccard is a Swiss explorer, psychiatrist, and environmentalist recognized for achievements in sustainable aviation and clean technology advocacy. As the initiator, chairman, and pilot of the Solar Impulse project, Piccard completed the first successful round-the-world flight in a solar-powered airplane, demonstrating the viability of renewable energy in aviation. This accomplishment, achieved with André Borschberg, involved flying more than 40,000 kilometers without fuel, setting multiple world records and highlighting the potential of clean technologies.

Piccard’s career includes completing the first non-stop balloon flight around the globe, building on a family legacy of scientific exploration. With a background as a medical doctor and explorer, Piccard advocates for sustainability, addressing international audiences and decision-makers to promote the integration of ecological solutions with economic development. He is the founder and chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, which identifies and promotes profitable solutions that protect the environment.

Piccard has received several honors, including the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth Award and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Mungo Park Medal. His public engagements, such as keynote addresses and discussions with world leaders, demonstrate his expertise in global environmental challenges. Piccard’s initiatives, including the World Alliance for Clean Technologies, reflect his commitment to innovation in sustainability and his ability to motivate audiences to pursue ambitious environmental goals.