Dutch inventor Boyan Slat received the International Young Energy Leader Award in Doha for the work of The Ocean Cleanup, the organization he founded to remove plastic waste from rivers and seas. The organization says it has removed 65 million kilograms of waste and currently intercepts nearly one kilogram per second in twelve countries, employing about 350 people. It is increasingly focusing on intercepting waste in rivers before it reaches the ocean.

The Ocean Cleanup plans to address pollution in about 250 rivers across 30 cities over the next three years. Slat said the organization still faces an annual funding shortfall of $40 million, while 22 planned interceptors lack funding; without the money by the end of the year, the project will be delayed. The organization has been promised $121 million for this year by The Audacious Project. In Doha, Slat appealed to wealthy attendees for further investment in the project.