The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has issued a call for nominations for its annual Champions of the Earth award.
Champions of The Earth is the UN’s highest environmental honour, to recognize outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector who have had a transformative impact on the environment.
This year, UNEP is seeking nominations for individuals, organizations, and governments that are creating and implementing innovative and sustainable plastic pollution solutions and policies.
Following a historic UN Environment Assembly resolution in 2022 to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the goal of concluding negotiations by the end of 2024, the year 2023 is critical in ensuring that the world comes together to end the scourge of plastic pollution.
This year’s World Environment Day, hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, will also focus on efforts to #BeatPlasticPollution.
Since the award’s creation in 2005, 111 Champions of the Earth have been honoured: 26 world leaders, 69 people, and 16 organizations.
The Champions of the Environment Award received a record number of nominations from around the world in 2022. The growing interest over time reflects the growing number of people fighting for the environment.
