The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a call for nominations for the annual Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, which recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector for their transformative impact on the environment.
This year, UNEP seeks nominations of individuals, organisations and governments developing and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions and policies that drive climate action and deliver positive benefits to people’s health and well-being. This year’s awards will focus on solutions on methane, buildings and construction, sustainable cooling including energy efficiency, clean air, and forests.
A decisive year for climate action
2025 is a critical year for climate action, as governments submit a third round of five-year national climate plans (NDCs) ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belem (COP30). 2025 will also mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
Without intensified efforts, current projections show that global temperatures could rise by 2.6–3.1°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. While this is a marked improvement from the 5°C increase projected in 2010, the world remains far from the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal.
Sustainable cooling protects people from rising temperatures, maintains food quality and safety, and keeps vaccines stable and economies productive. Action on methane can improve air quality, stop energy waste and strengthen food security– all while creating jobs through methane mitigation efforts and delivering hundreds of billions of dollars in direct economic benefits. Improving air quality prevents premature deaths, improves health, reduces healthcare costs, drives economic development, and mitigates climate change. Restoring forest ecosystems improves water resources and reduces natural disasters while investing in climate-resilient buildings cuts emissions and protect people from extreme weather events. Solutions to climate change can boost economic growth – transitioning to net zero by 2050 could drive global GDP 7% higher than current policies.
The Champions of the Earth award recognizes those who are accelerating progress and inspiring action. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Champions of the Earth awards; since its inception in 2005, UNEP has recognized 122 laureates, including 28 world leaders, 74 individuals and 20 organizations.
Individuals, organizations, and government entities may be nominated under the categories of Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation. Nominations are open from 2 – 30 April 2025 to everyone. The Champions of the Earth will be announced in late 2025.
Previous Champions of the Earth
In 2024, UNEP recognized individuals and organizations developing and implementing sustainable policies and solutions to restore land, enhance drought resilience, and combat desertification. UNEP’s 2024 Champions of the Earth were:
- Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples.
- Amy Bowers Cordalis, Indigenous rights advocate.
- Gabriel Paun,Romanian environmental defender.
- Lu Qi, a Chinese scientist.
- Madhav Gadgil, Indian ecologist.
- SEKEM, sustainable agriculture initiative.
UNEP’s Champions of the Earth honours individuals, groups, and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. The annual Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour. #EarthChamps
