Activist Greta Thunburg among Alternative Nobel Prize winners

The Right Livelihood Award, commonly referred to as the Alternative Nobel Prize, on Wednesday honoured Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar, Chinese women's rights lawyer Guo Jianmei and Brazilian indigenous leader Davi Kopenawa Yanomami.

Created in 1980 by GermanSwedish writer Jakob von Uexküll, the Right Livelihood Award looks to "honour and support courageous people solving global problems", reports Efe news.

In what was the 40th annual announcement, Ole von Uexküll, the nephew of the founder, said that Thunburg was chosen for "inspiring and amplifying political demands for climate action".

"Thunberg is the powerful voice of a young generation that will have to bear the consequences of today's political failure to stop climate change."

"Her resolve to not put up with the looming climate disaster has inspired millions of people to also raise their voices and demand immediate climate action."

Thunberg, 16, began her climate strikes just over a year ago and soon gained media attention when she decided to skip school every Friday to protest outside the Swedish parliament building, which came to be known as 'Fridays for Future'.

Von Uexküll described her as "one of the most effective civil society leaders of our time".

Guo was selected for being "one of the most distinguished lawyers in the field of women's rights in China."

She has assisted thousands of women in getting access to justice, von Uexküll said.