Champions of the Earth

2023-01-16T21:57:13Z

116.68.87.210:

{{Short description|Annual United Nations environmental award}}
{{Distinguish|Defenders of the Earth}}
The [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP) established '''Champions of the Earth''' in 2005 as an annual awards programme to recognize outstanding environmental leaders from the public and private sectors, and from civil society.

== Award details ==
Typically, five to seven laureates are selected annually. Each laureate is invited to an award ceremony to receive a trophy, give an acceptance speech and take part in a press conference. No financial awards are conferred.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://staging.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=430&ArticleID=4775&l=en |title=First-Ever UNEP 'Champions of the Earth' Presented to Seven Environmental Leaders |publisher=UNEP |website=unep.org |access-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914081550/http://staging.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=430&ArticleID=4775&l=en |archive-date=14 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="toepfer">{{cite web |url=http://www.global500.org/attachments/G500_2004_Newsletter.pdf |title=UNEP Launches new Award - Champions of the Earth: Letter from UNEP Executive Director to Laureates |first=Klaus |last=Töpfer |magazine=Global 500 Forum - Newsletter of the UNEP Global 500 Laureates |publisher=UNEP |page=3 |access-date=12 September 2017 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414203953/http://global500.org/attachments/G500_2004_Newsletter.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> This awards programme is a successor to UNEP's [[Global 500 Roll of Honour]].<ref name="toepfer" />

The prize includes $15,000 of financial support.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hub |first=IISD's SDG Knowledge |title=UN Environment Award Ceremony Honors Champions of the Earth {{!}} News {{!}} SDG Knowledge Hub {{!}} IISD |url=https://sdg.iisd.org:443/news/unep-award-ceremony-honors-champions-of-the-earth/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2017, the program was expanded to include '''Young Champions of the Earth''' – a forward-looking prize for talented innovators, 18 to 30, who demonstrate outstanding potential to create positive environmental impact. The initiative is run in partnership with the [[Covestro]], a plastics company.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/node|title=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|first=U. N.|last=Environment|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program}}</ref> It is awarded every year by UNEP to seven young environmentalists from around the world between the ages of 18 and 30, for their outstanding ideas to protect the environment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Change-making in the time of COVID-19|url=https://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/news/story/change-making-time-covid-19|accessdate=20 October 2020|website=United Nations Environment|publisher=United Nations Environment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Meet the youth standing up for our environmental rights|url=https://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/news/story/meet-youth-standing-our-environmental-rights|accessdate=20 October 2020|website=United Nations Environment|publisher=United Nations Environment}}</ref>

==Awardees: Champions of the Earth==

=== 2021 ===

* Prime Minister [[Mia Mottley]] ([[Barbados]]) - Policy Leadership<ref name=":1" />
* Dr. [[Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka]] ([[Uganda]]) - Science and Innovation<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=UNEP |title=Transformative changemakers named UN's 2021 Champions of the Earth |url=http://www.unep.org/championsofearth/news-and-stories/transformative-changemakers-named-uns-2021-champions-earth |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=Champions of the Earth |language=en}}</ref>
* Maria Kolesnikova ([[Kyrgyz Republic]]) - Entrepreneurial Vision<ref name=":1" />
* Sea Women of Melanesia ([[Papua New Guinea]] and the [[Solomon Islands|Soloman Islands]]) - Inspiration and Action<ref name=":1" />
* [[David Attenborough]] - Lifetime Achievement Award<ref name="champion2022">{{cite web |title=David Attenborough receives the UN’s most distinguished environment award |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/david-attenborough-receives-uns-most-distinguished-environment-award |publisher=UN Environment Programme |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2020 ===

* Prime Minister [[Frank Bainimarama]] ([[Fiji]]) - Policy Leadership<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/six-environmental-trailblazers-honoured-unep-champions-earth|title = Six environmental trailblazers honoured as UNEP Champions of the Earth|date = 10 December 2020}}</ref>
* Dr. Fabian Leendertz ([[Germany]]) - Science and Innovation<ref name=":0" />
* [[Mindy Lubber]] (United States) - Entrepreneurial Vision<ref name=":0" />
* [[Nemonte Nenquimo]] ([[Ecuador]]) - Inspiration and Action<ref name=":0" />
* [[Yacouba Sawadogo]] ([[Burkina Faso]])- Inspiration and Action<ref name=":0" />
* Professor [[Robert D. Bullard]] (United States)- Lifetime Achievement Award<ref name=":0" />

=== 2019 ===

* [[Costa Rica]] - Policy Leadership<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unenvironment.org/championsofearth/laureates/2019/costa-rica |title=Costa Rica |publisher=unenvironment.org |accessdate=2019-09-20}}</ref>
*[[Katharine Hayhoe]] - Science and Innovation
*[[Ant Forest]] - Inspiration and Action
*[[Fridays For Future]] - Inspiration and Action
*[[Patagonia (clothing)|Patagonia]] - Entrepreneurial Vision
*[[Louise Mabulo]] - Environmental conservation

=== 2018 ===

* [[Cochin International Airport]] - Entrepreneurial Vision
* [[Emmanuel Macron]] - Policy Leadership
* [[Beyond Meat]] - Science and Innovation
* [[Impossible Foods]] - Science and Innovation
* [[Joan Carling]] - Lifetime Achievement Award
* Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] - Policy Leadership<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://web.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2018/narendra-modi|title=Champion of the earth -2018-Policy Leadership|access-date=2018-12-21|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Zhejiang’s Green Rural Revival Programme]] - Inspiration and Action

=== 2017 ===

* [[Paul Newman (disambiguation)|Paul A. Newman]] & [[NASA]]'s [[Goddard Space Flight Center]] - Science and Innovation<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/paul-a-newman-and-nasa-goddard-space-flight-center-win-highest-un-environment-honor|title=UN Award Bestowed upon Earth Scientist Paul Newman, Goddard|last=Blumberg|first=Sara|work=NASA|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mobike]] - Entrepreneurial Vision
* [[Jeff Orlowski]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[Saihanba National Forest Park]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[Christopher I'Anson]] - General Champion
* [[Wang Wenbiao]] - Lifetime Achievement Award

=== 2016 ===
* [[Afroz Shah]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[Berta Cáceres]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[José Sarukhán Kermez]] - Lifetime Achievement
* [[Leyla Acaroglu]] - Science and Innovation
* [[The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy]] (MASEN) - Entrepreneurial Vision
* [[Paul Kagame]] - Policy Leadership

=== 2015 ===
* [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime minister]] [[Sheikh Hasina]], [[Bangladesh]] - Policy Leadership
* [[Black Mamba APU]] - Inspiration & Action
* The [[National Geographic Society]] - Science & Innovation
* [[Natura Brasil]] - Entrepreneurial Vision
* [[Paul Polman]] - Entrepreneurial Vision<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.unep.org/champions/laureates/2015/paul-polman |title=Paul Polman | UNEP.org |publisher=Web.unep.org |accessdate=2015-10-26}}</ref>

===2014===

* [[Boyan Slat]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[Fatima Jibrell]], [[Somalia]] - Environmental conservation
* [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]] - Policy Leadership
* [[Tommy Remengesau|Tommy Remengesau, Jr]] - Policy Leadership
* [[Mario J. Molina|Mario José Molina-Pasquel Henríquez]] - Lifetime Leadership
* [[Robert Watson (scientist)|Robert Watson]] - Science and Innovation
* [[Sylvia Earle]] - Lifetime Leadership
* [[U.S. Green Building Council]] - Entrepreneurial Vision

=== 2013 ===
* [[Janez Potočnik]] - Policy Leadership
* [[Brian McClendon]] - Entrepreneurial Vision
* [[Carlo Petrini]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[Izabella Teixeira]] - Policy Leadership
* [[Jack Dangermond]] - Entrepreneurial Vision
* [[Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo]] - Inspiration and Action
* [[Veerabhadran Ramanathan]] - Science and Innovation

===2012===
* [[President of Mongolia|President]] [[Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj]], [[Mongolia]] - Policy Leadership category
* Fabio Coletti Barbosa, [[Brazil]] (CEO of [[Grupo Abril]]) and Dr Sultan Ahmed al Jaber, [[United Arab Emirates]] (CEO of [[Masdar City|Masdar]])- Entrepreneurial Vision category
* [[Bertrand Piccard]], [[Switzerland]] - Inspiration and Action category
* [[Sander Van Der Leeuw]], [[Netherlands]] - Science and Innovation category
* Samson Parashina, [[Kenya]] - Special Category for Grassroots Initiatives

===2011===
* [[President of Mexico|President]] [[Felipe Calderón]], [[Mexico]] - Policy Leadership Category
* Dr. [[Olga Speranskaya]], [[Russia]] - Science & Innovation Category
* [[Zhang Michalgorge (businessman)|Zhang Yue]], [[Broad Group]], [[China]] - Entrepreneurial Vision Category
* [[Louis Palmer]], [[Switzerland]] - Inspiration & Action Category [co-winner]
* [[Angélique Kidjo]], [[Benin]] - Inspiration & Action Category [[co-winner]]

===2010===
* [[President of the Maldives|President]] [[Mohamed Nasheed]], [[Maldives]] - Policy Leadership Category
* [[Taro Takahashi]], [[Japan]] - Science & Innovation Category
* [[Vinod Khosla]], [[India]] - Entrepreneurial Vision Category
* [[Prince]] [[Mostapha Zaher]], [[Afghanistan]] - Inspiration & Action Category [co-winner]
* [[Zhou Xun]], [[China]] - Inspiration & Action Category co-winner

;Special Award:
* [[President of Guyana|President]] [[Bharrat Jagdeo]], [[Guyana]] - For Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Management

===2009===
* [[Erik Solheim]], [[Norway]] - Policy Leadership Category (co-winner)
* [[Kevin Conrad]] and the [[Coalition for Rainforest Nations]], [[Papua New Guinea]] - Policy Leadership Category (co-winner)
* [[Janine Benyus]], United States - Science & Innovation Category
* [[Ron Gonen]], United States - Entrepreneurial Vision Category
* [[Tulsi Tanti]], [[India]] - Entrepreneurial Vision Category
* [[Yann Arthus-Bertrand]], [[France]] - Inspiration & Action Category

===2008===
*[[Balgis Osman-Elasha]], [[Sudan]] from [[Africa]] - For her work on climate change and adaptation in northern and eastern Africa.
*[[Atiq Rahman]], [[Bangladesh]] from [[Asia and the Pacific]] - For his national and international experience in sustainable development, and environment and resource management. He is one of the leading specialists in the field.
*[[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]], [[Monaco]] from [[Europe]]: For his commitment to sustainable development in Monaco. Under his leadership, Monaco is now applying an exemplary policy on CO<sub>2</sub> reduction in every sphere of society as well as in the business sector.
*[[Subrata Thompson (Barbados)|Humanity Thompson]], [[Barbados]], from [[Latin America and the Caribbean]] - For her outstanding work at the national and international levels. She is one of the recognized leaders on environmental issues of the [[Small Island Developing States]] (SIDS).
*[[Timothy E. Wirth]], United States from [[North America]] - For his work as the head of the UN Foundation and Better World Fund, he established the environment as a priority and mobilized resources to address it.
*[[Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal]], [[Yemen]] from [[West Asia]]: For his environmental policies as Minister and then as Prime Minister in Yemen. He established its Ministry of Water and Environment and the Environment Protection Authority.

;Special Prize:
*[[Helen Clark]], [[New Zealand]] - For her environmental strategies and her three initiatives - the emissions trading scheme, the energy strategy and the energy efficiency and conservation strategy.

===2007===
* [[Cherif Rahmani]], [[Algeria]] from [[Africa]] - For advancing environmental law in Algeria and for addressing the issue of desertification;
* [[Elisea "Bebet" Gillera Gozun]], [[Philippines]] from [[Asia and the Pacific]] - for pushing forward the environmental agenda in her native Philippines by winning the trust of business leaders, non-governmental organizations and political decision-makers alike;
* [[Viveka Bohn]], [[Sweden]] from [[Europe]]: for playing a prominent role in multilateral negotiations and her leadership in global efforts to ensure chemical safety;
* [[Marina Silva]], [[Brazil]] from [[Latin America and the Caribbean]] - For her tireless fight to protect the Amazon rainforest while taking into account the perspectives of people who use the resources in their daily lives;
* [[Al Gore]], United States from [[North America]] - For making environmental protection a pillar of his public service and for educating the world on the dangers posed by rising greenhouse gas emissions;
* [[Prince Hassan bin Al Talal|His Royal Highness Prince Hassan Bin Talal]], [[Jordan]] from [[West Asia]] - For his belief in transboundary collaboration to protect the environment and for addressing environmental issues in a holistic manner;

;Special Prize:
* [[Jacques Rogge|Jacques Rogge and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)]] - For advancing the sport and environment agenda by providing greater resources to sustainable development and for introducing stringent environmental requirements for cities bidding to host Olympic Games

===2006===
* [[Rosa Elena Simeon Negrin]], [[Cuba]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=UNEP Announces Champions of the Earth 2006 |url=http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=471&ArticleID=5237&l=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531191327/http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=471&ArticleID=5237&l=en |archive-date=2006-05-31 |website=United Nations Environment Programme}}</ref>
* [[Women's Environment & Development Organization]]<ref name=":2" />
* [[Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher]], [[Ethiopia]]<ref name=":2" />
* [[Masoumeh Ebtekar]], [[Iran]]<ref name=":2" />
* [[Mohamed El-Ashry]], [[Egypt]]<ref name=":2" />
* [[Tommy Koh Thong Bee]], [[Singapore]]<ref name=":2" />
* [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], [[Russia]]<ref name=":2" />

===2005===
* [[Jigme Singye Wangchuck|King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan]], [[Bhutan]]
* [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], [[United Arab Emirates]]
* [[Thabo Mbeki]], [[South Africa]]
* [[Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew]], Native [[Greeks|Greek]]
* [[Sheila Watt-Cloutier]], [[Canada]]
* [[:es:Julia Carabias Lillo|Julia Carabias Lillo]], [[Mexico]]
* [[Zhou Qiang|Zhou Qiang and the All-China Youth Federation]], [[China]]

==Awardees: Young Champions of the Earth==

=== 2020 ===

* [[Charlene Ren|Xiaoyuan Ren]], China.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Xiaoyuan Ren|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/asia-and-pacific/xiaoyuan-ren|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Vidyut Mohan]], India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Vidyut Mohan|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/asia-and-pacific/vidyut-mohan|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Nzambi Matee]], Kenya.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Nzambi Matee|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/africa/nzambi-matee|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Niria Alicia Garcia]], United States of America.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Niria Alicia Garcia|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/north-america/niria-alicia-garcia|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Max Hidalgo Quinto, Peru.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Max Hidalgo Quinto|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/latin-america-and-caribbean/max-hidalgo-quinto|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Lefteris Arapakis, Greece.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Lefteris Arapakis|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/europe/lefteris-arapakis|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Fatemah Alzelzela, Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Fatemah Alzelzela|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2020/west-asia/fatemah-alzelzela|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>

=== 2019 ===

* [[Molly Burhans]], United States of America.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Molly Burhans|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/north-america/molly-burhans|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
*Omar Itani, Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Omar Itani|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/west-asia/omar-itani|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Sonika Manandhar]], Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Sonika Manandhar|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/asia-and-pacific/sonika-manandhar|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Marianna Muntianu]], Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Marianna Muntianu|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/europe/marianna-muntianu|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Louise Mabulo]], Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Louise Mabulo|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/asia-and-pacific/louise-mabulo|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Anna Luísa Beserra]], Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Anna Luisa Beserra|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/latin-america-and-caribbean/anna-luisa-beserra|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Adjany Costa]], Angola.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Adjany Costa|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2019/africa/adjany-costa|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>

=== 2018 ===

* Shady Rabab, Egypt.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Shady Rabab|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/africa/shady-rabab|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Miranda Wang]], United States of America.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Miranda Wang|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/north-america/miranda-wang|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Miao Wang, China.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Miao Wang|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/asia-and-pacific/miao-wang|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Hugh Weldon, Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Hugh Weldon|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/europe/hugh-weldon|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Heba Al-Farra]], Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Heba Al-Farra|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/west-asia/heba-al-farra|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Gator Halpern, Bahamas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Gator Halpern|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/latin-america-and-caribbean/gator-halpern|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>
* Arpit Dhupar, India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNEP|title=Arpit Dhupar|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/youngchampions/bio/2018/asia-and-pacific/arpit-dhupar|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program|language=en}}</ref>

===2017===

*Omer Badokhon, Yemen.<ref name="auto"/>
* Adam Dixon, Europe.<ref name="auto"/>
* Kaya Dorey, North America.<ref name="auto"/>
* Eritai Kateibwi, Earth for Asia & the Pacific<ref name="auto"/>
* [[Mariama Mamane]], Niger.<ref name="auto"/>
* Liliana Jaramillo Pazmiño, Latin America & the Caribbean.<ref name="auto"/>

==See also==
{{portal|Environment}}
* [[Heroes of the Environment]]
* [[Forest Hero Award]]
* [[List of environmental awards]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.unep.org/champions/ Champions of the Earth, United Nations Environment Programme]
*[https://www.unep.org/youngchampions/ Young Champions of the Earth, United Nations Environment Programme]
* Database of all laureates at: {{cite web |url=http://www.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates |title=Laureates |publisher=UNEP |website=unep.org |access-date=12 September 2017}}

[[Category:Awards established in 2005]]
[[Category:Environmental awards]]
[[Category:United Nations Environment Programme]]
[[Category:United Nations awards]]

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Champions of the Earth