Judges
COTM | BTG SHORTLIST 2025
$30,000 MAIN AWARD
Justin Jin
Green Transition -- At Whose Cost?
Justin Jin is an impact-driven photographer, writer, videographer, and National Geographic Explorer -- a title awarded for this storytelling. He uncovers deeply human stories that are both universal and culturally unique.
Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, with working knowledge of French, Russian, and Dutch, Justin bridges worlds through visual narratives. After studying philosophy and sociology at Cambridge University, he began as a Reuters correspondent before forging an unwaveringly independent career. His work has earned multiple Pictures of the Year International (POYi) awards, the Magnum Emergency Fund, and Germany’s Hansel-Mieth Preis for writing.
Based in Brussels, Justin works extensively across Europe and Africa while spending part of the year in China, exploring stories across Asia. His images have been exhibited around the world.
Green Transition -- At Whose Cost?
Based in Brussels and Shanghai, Jin has spent 15 years documenting humanity's pursuit of sustainable energy. His journey began in 2009 among Arctic communities in Russia as their region raced to extract oil and gas. This experience sparked his ongoing commitment to chronicling both technological advancement and its human cost. His book on green hydrogen, a reference for European Union leadership, demonstrates how green technology is transforming industries. His current project examines the other side: the green transition's burden on Indigenous communities.
