On December 11, 2020, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme (UNEP) virtually announced 6 Individuals as recipients of the 2020 Champions of the Earth Award, which is UN’s highest environmental honour. The award is given across 5 categories – Policy Leadership, Inspiration & Action, Science & Innovation, Entrepreneurial vision & LifeTime Achievement Award.
They are given to recognize the contributions of outstanding environmental leaders from public & private sectors and also from civil society.
Awards:
| Recipient | Category | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji | Policy Leadership | for global climate action work, and commitment to climate-responsive national development |
| Dr Fabian Leendertz, (Germany) | Science & Innovation | Discovery in Zoonotics & work in One Health |
| Mindy Lubber (United States of America) | Entrepreneurial Vision | for commitment to convert capital markets green by mobilizing top investors and companies |
| Nemonte Nenquimo (Ecuador) | Inspiration & Action | Leadership and unifying work with indigenous communities to halt drilling in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest |
| Yacouba Sawadogo (Burkina Faso) | Inspiration & Action | for teaching traditional nature-based solution to farmers for regeneration of soil to turn barren land into arable land in Africa |
| Professor Robert D. Bullard (United States of America) | Earth Lifetime Achievement Award | For commitment and service to environmental justice |
Key Points:
i.The awards were constituted in 2005 to recognise environmental leaders, scientists, heads of state and community activists for their contribution to change the world.
ii.The ‘Champions of earth’ awards are the successor to UNEP’s Global 500 Roll of Honour.
iii.The awards are part of UNEP’s #ForNature campaign, it aims to create support and awareness for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Kunming,China May 2021 & UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland in November, 2021.
Recent Related News:
i.On September 21, 2020 Khushi Chindaliya, a 17-year-old girl from Surat, Gujarat has been appointed as Regional Ambassador (RA) for India for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Tunza Eco-Generation (TEG), which is scheduled to take place in September, 2020.
ii.On August 25, 2020, ReNew Power and the UNEP signed a partnership agreement to promote increased access to renewable energy and improved energy efficiency.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director– Inger Andersen
Headquarter– Nairobi, Kenya
