Environmentalists Greta Thunberg and Duncan Stewart have been awarded the Freedom of Dublin.
It is the first time environmental campaigners have been given the honour.
They were conferred with the Freedom of Dublin at a ceremony in the Mansion House this evening.
The pair were nominated for the award by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Green Party Councillor Caroline Conroy, and supported by the majority of Dublin City councillors
However, a number objected to Ms Thunberg's nomination.
The Lord Mayor said that honouring the two environmentalists is part of her campaign to focus on climate, biodiversity and young people during her term of office.
Former lord mayor and Independent Cllr Neil Ring accused Cllr Conroy of using Ms Thunberg as headline fodder.
But Cllr Conroy said she did not accept the criticism and the nomination was keeping with the theme of her term of office.
"I don't know why they would think I would do anything different," she said.
"We are in the middle of a climate crisis and a biodiversity crisis and we need to recognise the works of these people who are out there every day campaigning to highlight the Issues that need to be tackled.
"Duncan has been in it for such a long time. I'm a real admirer of him since the 60s and Greta has put her life on the line to to highlight to young people that they need to step up now and take action."
Jessica Dunne and Sumaya Ahmed from the Youth Climate Strike movement in Ireland received the award on behalf of Ms Thunberg, who is in Paris at a environmental event.
Ms Ahmed said it acknowledges her tireless efforts and makes a significant step in recognising the urgency of the climate crisis.
"It acknowledges age should never be a barrier to advocating for the protection of our environment and securing a sustainable future.
"Time is running out and we have six years and 41 days to act," Ms Ahmed said.
Ms Dunne said this was not the win for the climate movement that it has been framed as and "that will only come when people in charge treat this crisis for the urgency it requires".
"We ask what good will come on this award. What good was such an award on a dead planet."
Reacting earlier to his award, Mr Stewart said that while he felt the nomination was very generous, he also felt he was not worthy of the honour.
"I don't deserve it. There have been other people who have been working at this for a long time such as those working in NGOs, scientists etc," Mr Stewart said.
However, he said he would use the award as an opportunity to get the message across about the climate crisis.
"We need to urgently transform as a society so that we don't steal our children's future," he said.
He also said it was "shameful and disgraceful" that political parties and politicians were "going against" attempts to get nature restoration laws through the European parliament.
Mr Stewart said these measures had been agreed at COP15 in Montreal and that they are vital for the future protection of the planet.
The Freedom of Dublin has been awarded to 86 other recipients and is the highest honour that can be bestowed on citizens by Dublin city.
Previous recipients include US presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, U2 and Maureen Potter, poet Thomas Kinsella, broadcaster Gay Byrne and former Dublin football managers Kevin Heffernan and Jim Gavin,
Ancient duties of a Freeman or Freewoman include being ready to defend the city from attack and join the city militia at short notice.
Among the ancient privileges afforded is the right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates, without paying customs duties, the right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city boundaries and the right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.
