The word champion is a powerful one; it can be a noun, or a verb, or even a descriptor of something excellent, someone extraordinary, the best of the best. All three meanings befit the winners of this year’s Champions of the Earth award and the Young Champions of the Earth prize.

On 11 December 2020, it is the privilege of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to announce the six Champions of the Earth laureates. This is the United Nations’ highest possible environmental honour, awarded to activists, heads of state, scientists and business leaders for their transformative impact on the environment, and their unapologetic demands that humans behave better for the sake of our planet and our future.

Then, on 15 December 2020, the seven Young Champions of the Earth prize winners will take the spotlight. These brilliant young environmentalists, aged 18-30, will receive seed funding and mentorship. UNEP designed this award to support their bold, innovative ideas to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

These 13 champions were selected by a global jury following a public nomination process. This year was extremely competitive, with a record number of nominations. This demonstrates the increasing commitment to environmental protection, and the importance of doing our part to safeguard and restore our planet. 

The stakes could not be higher. From forest fires to floods, from species loss to zoonotic disease, the loss of nature and human expansion into wild spaces is provoking an environmental crisis. The UNEP champions demonstrate through their work that collective action can meet the multiplying and interlinked threats to our planet and its inhabitants. Their work is a challenge to all of us – a challenge to completely recalibrate our relationship with nature, to participate in bold and immediate action in service to our health, our financial stability and the health of our environment.

Where to find out this year’s winners

On 11 December: The six Champions of the Earth laureates will be announced here and on UNEP social media.

On 15 December: The seven Young Champions of the Earth will be announced here and on UNEP social media.

The United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth and the Young Champions of the Earth honour individuals, groups and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment.

The winners are announced in December 2020, on the cusp of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.

By showcasing news of the significant work being done on the environmental frontlines, both awards aim to inspire and motivate more people to act for nature. The awards are part of UNEP’s #ForNature campaign to rally momentum for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Kunming in May 2021, and catalyze climate action all the way to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021.  

Nairobi, 20 January 2020 – Nominations for the 2020 Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, opened today, aiming to recognize the contribution of outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment. The nominations will remain open until 20^th March 2020.

Established in 2005, the award celebrates visionaries in four categories: Policy leadership; Inspiration and action; Entrepreneurial vision, and Science and innovation. 

“Through the Champions of the Earth award, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) seeks to recognize the immense contributions of people from all walks of life to supporting a healthy planet,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “At a time when humanity continues to wreak havoc on our environment, we celebrate those individuals, communities, businesses and governments who go the extra mile to protect the earth.”

Every year, Champions are selected from hundreds of nominees globally, submitted through a public nomination process; the list of nominees is ultimately submitted to a jury – made up of a wide range of environmental experts – which then selects the laureates.

Since its launch, UNEP has presented the Champions of the Earth award to 93 laureates, ranging from world leaders to environmental defenders and technology inventors. They include 22 world leaders, 57 individuals and 14 groups or organizations.

“Being named Champions of the Earth was a huge honour for us, and inspired us to work even harder to protect South Africa’s animals,” said Collet Ngobeni from the Black Mambas, South Africa’s first majority-woman anti-poaching ranger unit. “We can all be Champions of the Earth by protecting nature.”

The 2019 Champions of the Earth were: The nation of Costa Rica, for Policy Leadership; Ant Forest, a Chinese mini-programme and tree-planting initiative, and the climate youth movement, Fridays for Future, in the category of Inspiration and action; Professor Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist from Texas Tech University in the Science and innovation category; and outdoor clothing brand Patagonia, in the category of Entrepreneurial vision.

The awards will be presented to this year’s laureates at a ceremony later this year.

Nominate a Champion of the Earth

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the UN Environment Programme

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

For more information, please contact:

Keishamaza Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, UNEP, +254717080753

As Cipriani restaurant in New York filled with guests on 26 September 2019, the Champions of the Earth award ceremony came alive with colour and energy. 

At a time when climate change is at the top of the agenda, action to tackle our environmental crisis was central to the night’s activities. 

As leaders gathered in New York to tackle the climate crisis during talks at the United Nations throughout the week, the Champions of the Earth award—the UN’s highest environmental honour—celebrated action. 

Laureates and Young Champions of the Earth reminded the 450 high-level guests and delegates that there are solutions—and bold people who search for and find them. 

It was an evening of achievement, with winners including the country of Costa Rica, climate scientist Professor Katharine Hayhoe, the company Patagonia, Chinese mobile app Ant Forest and the movement Fridays for Future, honoured for their remarkable achievements towards environmental protection. 

Patagonia’s Chief Executive Officer Rose Marcario spoke of severe setbacks to democracy and social and environmental justice in Patagonia’s acceptance speech.

There has been too much greed at the expense of those who have little or nothing, she said. “Even the largest, most powerful businesses realize that short-term financial gain at the expense of long-term economic health as well as social and environmental well-being will fail,” she added.

“It is now time, high time, for civil society and the private and public sectors, but business especially, to evolve capitalism to develop an economy that serves Mother Earth and all her people. It is time to answer roguery and greed with action.”

It was also an evening of hope, as young champions aged between 20 and 30 took to the stage to share their stories and remarkable inventions. 

From safe drinking water to forest restoration in the Russian Federation and community conservation in Angola, the young champions charmed the audience with their stories of incredible drive, courage and vision. 

UN Environment Programme’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, began the evening by recognizing the grit and determination of the laureates who “refuse to back down in the face of daunting challenges but instead seek, and find, solutions.” There is no time to waste, she said. 

Presenting the awards were Alec Baldwin, 2011 Champion of the Earth and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Angelique Kidjo and UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza

Angelique Kidjo, Champion of the Earth and Beninese singer-songwriter, actress and activist noted for her diverse musical influences, said: “Tonight is special because since we have been talking about climate change, it’s the first time we have seen the young pushing for this agenda… They suddenly wake up to this nightmare saying, if we don’t stand up, nothing is going to change.

Youth climate strike movement Fridays for Future founded by Greta Thunberg were awarded for their remarkable ability to galvanize action and attention around the topic of climate change around the world. 

In a video message, Thunberg said the recognition would “make us do even more and work even harder to fight for a liveable future.” 

Speaking on behalf of Greta Thunberg’s Fridays for Future movement, Kallan Benson said: “We will not put down our signs and go back to school until you act to stop fossil fuel emissions. Giving up is not an option.”

Goodwill Ambassador Rocky Dawuni was among the guests and spoke of the importance of celebrating youth action. “For me, the youth are an incredible part of really bringing the message of the environment,” he said.

“Not only among their own peers, but spreading around the world as has been evident in the youth movement that has sprouted and inspired people into the streets. Today being there and celebrating that energy, this is really an important day for me.” 

American football star Ovie Mughelli and founder of the Ovie Mughelli foundation to train youth as thought leaders on environmental issues, said: 

“The reason I’m here tonight is to celebrate what the world’s doing because we’re finally starting to get it. We’re finally acting with the urgency that climate change and the climate crisis deserves. We’re getting a lot closer.”

The event’s sponsors also spoke during the ceremony. Chief Executive Officer of Weibo—China’s social media giant—Charles Chao, spoke about the importance of reaching more people with environmental messages.

Covestro’s Head of Sustainability Christian Haessler noted that the environmental crisis cannot be solved without big businesses driving change and a circular economy.

Their invaluable support for this event and their commitment to sustainability in business made honouring these change makers possible.   

Watch the ceremony again in full

See the photos 

Take action Everyone can join the young activists insisting on radical changes to address the climate emergency.

• Make sustainable choices and log your own actions on the #ActNow bot
• Share the stories of the winners
• Tell others about climate leadership that inspires you

New York, 27 September 2019 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has officially honoured 12 environmental changemakers from around the world with the 2019 UN Champions of the Earth Award and the Young Champions of the Earth Prize.

The awards ceremony, held in New York on 26 September, comes days after UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the world to take urgent action on climate change and make concrete commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The Champions of the Earth award – the UN’s highest environmental honour – is presented every year to outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment. This year’s awards ceremony recognized laureates in the categories of Inspiration and Action, Policy Leadership, Entrepreneurial Vision and Science and Innovation.

President Carlos Alvarado Quesada of Costa Rica accepted the Policy Leadership award on behalf of his country, which has shown exemplary commitment to the protection of nature and spearheaded ambitious policies to combat climate change. 

Ant Forest, a digital Chinese initiative, won in the Inspiration and Action category. The mini-programme encourages users to record their low-carbon footprint through daily actions like taking public transport or paying utility bills online; for each action, they receive ‘green energy’ points, which accumulate and result in actual trees planted.

Professor Katharine Hayhoe, a prominent Canadian climate scientist, was honoured in the Science and Innovation category for her stalwart commitment to quantifying the effects of climate change and her tireless efforts to transform public attitudes. 

US outdoor clothing brand Patagonia received the 2019 Champions of the Earth award in the category of Entrepreneurial Vision for a dynamic mix of policies that has put sustainability at the heart of its successful business model. 

Taking home the final award of the night, Fridays for Future, the youth climate strike movement inspired by Swedish teenager and climate activist Greta Thunberg, was named Champion of the Earth for Inspiration and Action. In a video message to the event, Ms. Thunberg said she hoped the recognition would “make us do even more and work even harder to fight for a livable future”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Fridays for Future representative Kallan Benson said: “We will not put down our signs and go back to school until you act to stop fossil fuel emissions. Giving up is not an option.”

Also winning important recognition on the night were seven Young Champions of the Earth from across the world whose outstanding ideas serve to protect the environment in their local contexts.

Young Champion Molly Burhans, from the United States of America, digitally maps the world’s biggest land owners, encouraging environment stewardship, while Adjany Costa, the winner from the African region, is protecting Angola’s last wild spaces and remote biodiversity hotspots. Russia’s Marianna Muntianu educational gaming initiative, which makes making virtual trees a reality, saw her win the prize for the European region.

Brazilian Anna-Luisa Beserra won the prize for an innovation that uses energy to purify water, and Omar Itani from Lebanon is redesigning the future of fashion with his distribution project. Sonika Manandhar from Nepal is leading an initiative to capture big data from electric vehicles and cut emissions by making transportation efficient, while empowering women, and the joint Asia and the Pacific winner, Louise Mabulo, from the Philippines, is passionate about feeding the future.

Speaking at the event, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said: “I have been struck by the grit and determination of individuals who refuse to back down in the face of daunting challenges but instead seek, and find, solutions. 

 “Our 2019 Champions and Young Champions dare to dream bigger; they try harder, and they go further. Their actions speak louder than words,” she added.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Champions of the Earth

The annual Champions of the Earth prize is awarded to outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment. Since 2005, Champions of the Earth has recognized 88 laureates, ranging from world leaders to technology inventors.

About the Young Champions of the Earth

The Young Champions of the Earth Prize was first started in 2017, offering the prestigious and highly successful Champions of the Earth platform – with laureates including heads of state, inspiring scientists, and environmental visionaries – to brilliant young environmentalists with a vision.

About the UN Environment Programme

The UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About Weibo

The Champions of the Earth are organised in partnership with Weibo – China’s leading social media outlet for people to create, share and discover content online. Weibo has over 486 million monthly active users.

About Covestro

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life.  

For more information contact:

Keishamaza Rukikaire, Head of News and Media, UN Environment Programme,

From the official launch of the Principles for Responsible Banking to the more than 150 proposals for nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) made great strides in pushing for climate action during the week of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. The Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, which took place on 23 September, put themes of UNEP’s work at centre stage, with the organization unveiling several important initiatives as part of the outcome of the negotiations.

“This had to be a summit of action plans, not platitudes,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his closing remarks. “I thank you for delivering.”

Some of the main highlights of the summit included 77 countries—many in the industrialized world—committing to net zero carbon emissions by 2050; over 100 leaders in the private sector promising to accelerate their move into the green economy; small island states pledging carbon neutrality and 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030;

 and the UN pension fund—an autonomous body that manages US$68 billion in assets—announcing it will divest from companies in the coal energy sector and make no new investments in it.

A few examples of UN Environment Programme’s initiatives:

Nature-based solutions

One of the nine summit action points designated by the Secretary-General was using nature-based solutions as a cost-effective and immediate way to address the climate crisis. With the help of the UN Environment Programme, more than 150 nature-based solutions to cut carbon emissions were announced, including conserving 30 per cent of the earth’s land and waters by 2030, and protecting the Central African Forest and the 60 million people who depend on it.

The Emissions Gap Report

An advance chapter of the 2019 Emissions Gap Report, UNEP’s flagship publication on progress towards greenhouse gas reductions, was released on 21 September focusing on the G20 countries. A 10-year review of the report was also published on 22 September deducing that while emissions are now almost exactly what early reports predicted for 2020, advances in technology and the will to act mean we are poised to cut greenhouse gas emissions faster.

Champions and Young Champions of the Earth Award

The annual Champions of the Earth prize - for outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector - saw Ant Forest, Costa Rica, Fridays for Future, Katharine Hahoe and Patagonia awarded. While the Young Champions of the Earth  for 2019 were Adjany Costa from Angola, Anna Luisa Beserra from Brazil, Louise Mabulo from the Phillippines, Marianna Muntianu from the Russian Federation, Molly Burhans from the United States, Omar Itani from Lebanon and Sonika Manandhar from Nepal.

Additional events and activities

• UNEP at the UN General Assembly highlights
• Clean air commitments made as part of UN Climate Action Summit activities
• In support of climate action, Cool Coalition partners announce huge push on efficient, climate-friendly cooling
• Faiths for Forests campaign launched at Climate Action Summit
• UNEP and German Ministry for Environment launch GO for SDGs to accelerate and scale the green economy transition
• Youth Climate Summit, Social Good Summit and more
• Video games industry levels up in fight against climate change
• Young leaders take the stage to share solutions and hope to tackle climate crisis

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am truly honoured to welcome you here tonight to celebrate the United Nations Environment Programme Champions of the Earth Award for 2019. Tonight we will honour women and men who are showing us every day that the race against climate change is a race we CAN win. This has been a critical week for global cooperation on climate change and sustainable development. Now it is time to act. What we need is willpower, determination and vision. It is therefore very fitting that tonight we gather to celebrate those very qualities. 

On many occasions I have sat where you are sitting now and each time, I have been inspired by the power of individuals to fundamentally reshape their world. I have been struck by the grit and determination of individuals who refuse to back down in the face of daunting challenges but instead seek, and find, solutions. 

This year’s Champions of the Earth, and this year’s Young Champions of the Earth, have stepped up to provide concrete solutions to the climate crisis, the defining issue of our time. Tonight we celebrate them. From entrepreneurs putting sustainability at the heart of their business strategy, to online pioneers using technology to protect our fragile ecosystems.

We have all seen the effects of the climate emergency. Global emissions are reaching record levels and show no sign of peaking. Devastating storms and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. We have seen fires demolish forests across the world. We are swimming in dirty seas and we are breathing polluted air. The science is clear. The urgency is undeniable. But equally undeniable is the fact that we have the solutions. We have the knowledge. We have the technology. We have the tools. As we embark on this journey of discovery tonight, we are deeply grateful to our two sponsors Weibo and Covestro.

Our 2019 Champions and Young Champions, dare to dream bigger; they try harder, and they go further.

Their actions speak louder than words.

I know we will all leave here with hearts full of hope, heads full of ideas and a deep conviction that we WILL win the race against climate change. 

Thank you all. 

Inger Andersen

Executive Director

UN Environment Programme

• Patagonia awarded United Nations’ flagship environmental honor for entrepreneurial vision
• Patagonia recognized for its commitment to sustainability and advocacy for the protection of the planet’s fragile resources 

24 September 2019 -- US outdoor clothing brand Patagonia has been named a UN  Champion of the Earth, receiving the UN’s top environmental honor for a dynamic mix of policies that has put sustainability at the heart of its successful business model. 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recognized Patagonia in the entrepreneurial vision category.

Since Patagonia was founded in 1973 by renowned environmentalist and entrepreneur Yvon Chouinard, it has won plaudits for its sustainable supply chains and advocacy for the environment. The company recently updated its mission statement to reflect the urgency of the environmental crisis: “We’re in business to save our home planet”.

From a small company making tools for climbers, Patagonia has become a global leader in sustainability. Its drive to preserve the planet’s ecosystems runs through the entire business from the products made and the materials used to the donation of money to environmental causes. 

Nearly 70 per cent of Patagonia’s products are made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles, and the goal is to use 100 per cent renewable or recycled materials by 2025. The company also uses hemp and organic cotton. It is committed to simplicity, utility and durability -- a novel undertaking in a world where fast fashion is the norm for many companies and consumers. 

Since 1986, the company has contributed at least 1 per cent of annual sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. In 2002, Chouinard and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, created a non-profit organization -- 1% for the Planet -- to encourage other companies to do the same. 

Thanks to its 1 per cent pledge, Patagonia has provided more than US$100 million to grassroot organizations and helped train thousands of young activists over the past 35 years. 

“Through its commitment to sustainability and engagement with today’s most pressing environmental issues, Patagonia offers a perfect example of how the private sector can join the battle against climate change, biodiversity loss and other threats to human and planetary health,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. 

“Patagonia shows that sustainability makes economic sense and the company’s success reveals a desire among consumers to see businesses take a leading role in tackling climate change and environmental degradation. Patagonia shows that it can be done, and done well,” she said. 

The need for radical global action on climate change will be highlighted at a pivotal United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York on 23 September. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged world leaders, businesses and civil society to come to the summit with concrete ideas of how they will cut emissions by 45 per cent in the next decade and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Businesses have a critical role to play as reducing emissions goes hand-in-hand with creating jobs, building more livable cities, and improving health and prosperity for all, making sure no one is left behind. 

“We are honored to receive this award from the United Nations and we hope it will inspire other companies by showing that you can have a prosperous business and also do good in the world. In fact, that is the only way to ensure your own survival and the survival of the planet,” said Rose Marcario, Chief Executive Officer of Patagonia. 

“I have been encouraged to see many businesses recognize that capitalism needs to evolve if we are to have a healthy planet. And I am even more encouraged and inspired by the young activists calling for climate action. We all need to step up and invest in solutions and fight the fight of our lives to save our home planet.” she said. 

In 2018, Patagonia said it would give an additional $10 million from the 2017 federal tax cut to grassroots groups defending the planet’s air, water and land, as well as those involved in the regenerative organic agriculture movement -- a holistic approach to growing crops that prioritizes soil health and aims to sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

Champions of the Earth is the United Nations’ flagship global environmental award. It was established by the UN Environment Programme in 2005 to celebrate outstanding figures whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment. From world leaders to environmental defenders and technology inventors, the awards recognize trailblazers who are working to protect our planet for the next generation. 

Patagonia is among five winners this year. The other categories are policy leadership; inspiration and action; and science and innovation. The 2019 laureates will be honored at a gala ceremony in New York on 26 September during the 74th UN General Assembly. Also honored at the event will be seven environmental trailblazers between the ages of 18 and 30, who will take home the coveted Young Champions of the Earth prize.

Previous laureates in the entrepreneurial vision category include India’s Cochin International Airport, the world’s first solar power airport (2018); Paul Polman, the former Chief Executive Officer of Unilever (2015); and the U.S. Green Building Council, a private not-for-profit organization that is transforming buildings across the world (2014). 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the UN Environment Programme

The UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About Weibo

The Champions of the Earth are organised in partnership with Weibo – China’s leading social media outlet for people to create, share and discover content online. Weibo has over 486 million monthly active users.

About Champions of the Earth

The annual Champions of the Earth prize is awarded to outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment. Since 2005, Champions of the Earth has recognized 88 laureates, ranging from world leaders to technology inventors. Visit the website.

For more information, please contact:

Keisha Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, UN Environment Programme, +254 722 677747