The Climate Watch among 14 Asian newsrooms recognised in 2026 Osborn Elliott Prize citation

The Climate Watch has been internationally recognised through a special 2026 Osborn Elliott Prize citation for its contribution to a cross-border investigation examining the environmental impacts of Asia’s rapidly expanding data-center industry.

The Climate Watch has been recognised as part of a major cross-border environmental journalism collaboration honoured by the Asia Society’s 2026 Osborn Elliott Prize jury through a new special citation for journalistic innovation.

The recognition came as the Asia Society announced Vivian Wang of The New York Times as the winner of the 2026 Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia. The $10,000 cash prize is awarded annually by an independent jury to the best example of journalism about Asia during the previous calendar year. Alongside the main award, the jury introduced a special citation for journalistic innovation, naming the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and the Earth Journalism Network for producing high-impact, original journalism through global and regional newsroom collaborations titled “Dark Side of the Boom.” The Jury also cited Reuters for the excellence of its reporting on the geopolitical contest for rare-earth minerals in a remote region of Myanmar. 

The Earth Journalism Network was recognised for working with 14 newsrooms across 11 Asian countries to produce multimedia reporting on the environmental consequences of the rapid expansion of data centres across Asia. The Climate Watch, Bangladesh, was one of the participating newsrooms in the regional reporting initiative alongside Down To Earth of India, SourceMaterial and Tech Policy Press, KATADATA of Indonesia, Prachatai of Thailand, The Irrawaddy of Myanmar, Mekong Eye of the Mekong region, Malaysiakini and KiniTV of Malaysia, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and BicolDotPH of the Philippines, TIA SÁNG of Vietnam, READr of Taiwan, and other media partners, including SourceMaterial and Tech Policy Press.

For The Climate Watch, the recognition marks an important international acknowledgement of its work on climate, environment and sustainability journalism from Bangladesh.

As part of the collaboration, The Climate Watch published an in-depth investigation titled “Digital Dreams, Parched Reality: The Hidden Cost of Bangladesh’s Data Industry Gold Rush.” The story examined how Bangladesh’s growing data-centre sector is placing new pressure on electricity, groundwater and climate-vulnerable communities at a time when the country is still struggling with energy security and the transition to clean power.

The investigation reported that Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure ambitions are expanding rapidly, with data centres increasingly drawing attention from both local and foreign investors. However, it also raised concerns over high electricity consumption, groundwater extraction, limited environmental disclosure and the absence of a strong regulatory framework for sustainable data-centre development.

The Climate Watch investigation found that Bangladesh’s data-centre growth is taking place in a country where clean electricity remains limited and where many communities already face power shortages, groundwater stress and climate-related risks. Experts quoted in the report warned that unregulated data centres could deepen inequality and environmental pressure unless future facilities are tied to renewable energy, water recycling, public disclosure and stronger environmental governance.

The wider Earth Journalism Network project, “Dark Side of the Boom,” brought together reporters and media outlets from across Asia to examine the hidden environmental and social costs of the region’s digital transformation. The project looked at how artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cryptocurrency and other digital industries are increasing demand for data centres, often in countries already facing water scarcity, fragile energy systems and climate vulnerability.

The Osborn Elliott Prize, often called the “Oz Prize,” is one of the leading honours for journalism on Asia. The special citation for journalistic innovation highlights the growing importance of collaborative, cross-border reporting in investigating complex environmental issues that extend beyond national boundaries.

The Climate Watch Executive Editor Md Ibrahim Khalilullah said the recognition reflects the value of independent environmental journalism from Bangladesh and the importance of connecting local evidence with regional and global debates.

“The acknowledgement also comes at a time when climate and environmental journalists across Asia are increasingly investigating how economic growth, technology, energy demand and ecological risks are becoming deeply interconnected,” said Md Ibrahim Khalilullah.

He said that for Bangladesh, the recognition carries added significance. The country is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, yet its development pathway is increasingly shaped by energy-intensive industries, urban expansion, digital infrastructure and pressure on natural resources. Reporting these links with evidence, field data and community voices has become essential for public accountability.

The Climate Watch’s participation in the award-recognised collaboration shows that Bangladesh-based journalism can contribute meaningfully to global conversations on climate justice, sustainable technology and environmental governance.

The recognition is also a proud moment for Bangladesh’s environmental journalism community, demonstrating that stories from vulnerable countries can reach international platforms when they are grounded in evidence, collaboration and public interest.

Through this achievement, The Climate Watch has strengthened its position as an emerging independent platform committed to climate accountability, environmental transparency and solutions-oriented journalism in Bangladesh and South Asia.