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President of France, Emmanuel Macron has put climate action at the top of his foreign agenda. He is recognized for championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting international cooperation on environmental action, and for his leadership on the Global Pact for the Environment.  

Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are joint winners of the Champions of the Earth Award, in the Science and Innovation category. They produce a sustainable alternative to beef burgers that are more environmentally friendly and rival the taste of meat.

Joan Carling has been defending land and environmental rights of indigenous peoples for more than 20 years. She actively participated in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and REDD+, twice served as Secretary-General of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and was Chairperson of the Cordillera People’s Alliance.

UN Environment Programme has recognized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his bold environmental leadership on the global stage. Under Modi’s leadership, India pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics in the country by 2022. Prime Minister Modi also supports and champions the International Solar Alliance, a global partnership to scale up solar energy. 

Zhejiang province derives its name from the Zhe River, meaning “crooked” or “bent” river. The rivers of Zhejiang Province have long been vital for communities, flowing through ancient towns, among traditional white-walled and black-roofed houses, feeding fertile rice fields.

Cochin International Airport is the world’s first solar power airport. Its entire operations are powered by solar energy.

Paul A. Newman & NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center are UN Environment Champions of the Earth for Science and Innovation and their outstanding contributions to the Montreal Protocol – which has phased out 99 per cent of ozone-depleting substances and led to the healing of the ozone layer.

Saihanba Afforestation Community is UN Environment Champion of the Earth 2017 for transforming degraded land into a lush paradise.

Mobike is UN Environment Champion of the Earth for Entrepreneurial Vision for exploring market-driven solutions to air pollution and climate change.

Wang Wenbiao, Chairman of Elion Resources Group, is UN Environment Champion of the Earth 2017 for Lifetime Achievement.

Award-winning filmmaker, Jeff Orlowski, is UN Environment Champion of the Earth for his achievements in sending powerful environmental messages to a global audience.

Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, is UN Environment Champion of the Earth 2017, for outstanding leadership in creating marine protected areas and boosting renewable energy.

In this short video, watch the best moments of UN Environment's Champions of the Earth Award Show hosted by Dia Mirza and Alec Baldwin and held on September 26, 2018 in New York City.

Thank you for your interest. Nominations for the 2024 cycle are now closed. UNEP will announce the laureates later this year.The Champions of the Earth award honours individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment.  

From grassroots champions and corporate leaders to political pioneers and research institutions, UNEP celebrates Champions taking bold action for our world.Established in 2005, the Champions of the Earth award is the UN's highest environmental honour.