India: Excellence in solar and the world's largest beach clean up

As part of my travels around India, the global host of World Environment Day 2018, I visited the states of Kerala to see the world's first fully solar-powered airport and Maharashtra, to join thousands of people on Mumbai's beaches, celebrating the world's largest beach clean-up.

Kerala: Showcasing excellence in renewables

Cochin International Airport is the world’s first full solar powered airport. The “people’s airport”, it handles about 10 million passengers every year. The airport’s 15 MW solar power plant has helped save enormously on electricity costs and as a pioneer of solar airports, there is much to learn from this experience.

 

I also met Kerala Chief Minister and discussed greater collaboration between the state and UN Environment on waste management, pollution and climate technology.

The global campaign to #BeatPlasticPollution has become an important tool to inspire young people to take action for the environment. In Kerala I learnt more about how the state is buiding awareness amongst young people. The Student’s Empowerment for Environmental Development (SEED) spreads the message of environmental awareness amongst three millions students in the state! At St. Pauls International School, I joined 3000 students in taking a pledge to give up single-use plastic.

 

Mumbai: The world's biggest beach clean-up celebrates a milestone and Indian cricket bats for the environment

My first trip to India after I took office was to Mumbai where I met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and UN Environment Champion of the Earth 2017 laureate Afroz Shah. I was so pleased to see the culmination of our fight against single-use plastic  I joined hundreds of people on Versova Beach with Afroz, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza, corporate leaders, and citizens in celebrating those that have contributed to this amazing 136 week-long clean-up. More than 20,000 kgs of trash was collected from the beach.

 

Ahead of the final Cricket match of 2018 Indian Premier League, I was delighted to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to ‘green’ cricket in India. India's cricket board aims to reduce their environmental impact by greening operations and engaging fans and cricketers in green initiatives. Through our Resource-Efficiency sub-programme, UN Environment will provide technical expertise to this wonderful initiative.