The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched a call for nominations for its annual Champions of the Earth award – the UN’s highest environmental honor – to recognize outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector for their transformative impact on the environment.
This year, UNEP seeks nominations of individuals, organizations, and governments developing and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions and policies to eliminate plastic pollution.
Following a historic UN Environment Assembly resolution in 2022 to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment with the ambition to complete the negotiations by end of 2024, the year 2023 is critical to ensuring the world comes together to end the scourge of plastic pollution. This year’s World Environment Day, hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, will also focus on efforts to #BeatPlasticPollution.
The challenge of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss, pollution, and waste is not insurmountable. People around the world are stepping forward every day to innovate and implement ways to support nature’s extraordinary capacity for renewal. The Champions of the Earth help lead that push. They remind us that environmental sustainability is key to achieving sustainable development.
Every year, individuals, groups, and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the protection and restoration of the environment are recognized in four categories:
- Policy leadership – individuals or organizations in the public sector leading global or national action for the environment. They shape the dialogue, lead commitments, and act for the good of the planet.
- Inspiration and action – individuals or organizations taking bold steps to inspire positive change to protect our world. They lead by example, challenge behavior and inspire millions.
- Entrepreneurial vision – individuals or organizations challenging the status quo to build a cleaner future. They build systems, create new technology and spearhead a groundbreaking vision.
- Science and innovation– individuals or organizations who push the boundaries of technology for profound environmental benefit. They invent possibilities for a more sustainable world.
Since the award’s inception in 2005, a total of 111 laureates have been honored as Champions of the Earth: 26 world leaders, 69 individuals, and 16 organizations.
In 2022, the Champions of the Earth Award received a record number of nominations from all over the world. The growing interest over the years reflects the increasing number of people standing up for the environment and greater acknowledgment of the value of this work.
Location:
kenyaBenefits
- The Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honor and recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment.
- A lifetime opportunity to be a part of the plastic pollution solutions.
- An opportunity to contribute to UN sustainable development goals.
Eligibilities
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions are selected from nominations received from across the world and are open to everyone.
A team of UNEP staff and subject experts review and consider each nomination.
The criteria for selection are:
- Impact – Have the nominee’s actions resulted in profound environmental gains or demonstrated significant potential for replication and scaling?
- Novelty – Has the nominee done or achieved something new and innovative?
- Power of the story – How compelling and inspiring is the nominee’s story?
Eligible Regions: Open for All
Application Process
Nominate through the online form provided on their official website or the apply link below.
Application Deadline: April 14, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
