Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has refused to accept an environmental award, saying such honours are useless unless people in power start to listen to scientists.

Key points: Ms Thunberg didn't accept the $75,000 prize money

Ms Thunberg didn't accept the $75,000 prize money She criticised Nordic countries for not living up to their reputation on climate issues

She criticised Nordic countries for not living up to their reputation on climate issues The ceremony was held in Sweden's capital Stockholm

The young climate activist, who has rallied millions to her Fridays for Future movement, was speaking after she won the Nordic Council's annual environment prize.

After the prize was announced a representative for Ms Thunberg told the audience that she would not accept the award, or the prize money of 350,000 Danish kroner ($75,000), the TT news agency reported.

She addressed the decision in a post on Instagram from the United States.

"The climate movement does not need any more awards," she wrote.

"What we need is for our politicians and the people in power [to] start to listen to the current, best available science.

While thanking the Nordic Council for the "huge honour," she also criticised Nordic countries for not living up to their "great reputation" on climate issues.

"There is no lack of bragging about this. There is no lack of beautiful words. But when it comes to our actual emissions and our ecological footprints per capita... then it's a whole other story," Ms Thunberg said.

Still only 16 years old, Ms Thunberg rose to prominence after she started spending her Fridays outside Sweden's parliament in August 2018, holding a sign reading "School strike for climate".

AFP/ABC

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