UNEP
Evolves its Annual Awards to Spotlight Transformational
Leaders in Environmental Policy, Business,
Civil Society and Science & Technology
Nairobi/World, 7 November
2008 - Whether it be combating climate change
or stemming the accelerating loss of biodiversity
or promoting sustainable agriculture and
recycling - some people and organizations
are making a real and landscape-shifting
difference.
They may be Presidents,
politicians, economists, scientists or philosophers
or perhaps musicians, artists, actors, religious
or civic figures operating on the global,
national or local stage.
They may be community
leaders, business leaders or youth leaders
who are triggering a transformation aimed
at bringing forward tomorrow's world today
by turning their societies into beacons
of fundamental and sustainable change.
Whomever and wherever
they are UNEP wants to know and looks forward
to award the brightest and the best as a
2009 Champion of the Earth.
With the new four categories,
UNEP aims to highlight the urgency of cooperation
between all players and all sectors of society
to achieve a global Green Economy: one that
reflects the real needs and aspirations
of six billion rising to nine billion people
by 2050.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary
General and Executive Director of the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said:
"We are looking for real and inspirational
champions - people and organizations who
are not fazed by what can sometimes seem
to be insuperable challenges. Individuals
and organizations who refuse to accept the
status quo."
"The world is facing
multiple crises but also huge opportunities
to move to a more resource-efficient, more
intelligently-managed planet. There are
those who have been working for decades
and others who have are just now stepping
up to the bar," he said.
"So we want to learn about these outstanding
and catalytic candidates from Asia and the
Pacific, West Asia and Europe to Africa,
Latin America and the Caribbean and North
America. Who is your Champion of the Earth
2009?" said Mr Steiner.
The 2009 award ceremony
will take place in parallel to the annual
Global Business Summit for the Environment
(B4E), co-hosted by UNEP and the United
Nations Global Compact in Paris, France,
next April.
The Summit, attended
by international business leaders and policy
makers, will highlight the most urgent environmental
challenges facing the world and discuss
business-driven solutions for mitigating
and adapting to climate change.
Notes to Editors
Background on the Champions
of the Earth prize and previous laureates,
including biographies and photographs, is
available from http://www.unep.org/champions/
or from UNEP DCPI at championsoftheearth@unep.org.
No monetary reward is
attached to the prize. Each laureate receives
a trophy designed especially for the occasion
with environmentally friendly materials.
UNEP invites nominations
from individuals who have made a significant
contribution globally, regionally and beyond,
to the protection and sustainable management
of the environment and natural resources.
Deadline for receipt of nominations is on
1 December 2008. Candidates are judged by
a senior UNEP panel.
Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson
Lucita Jasmin, Head of Special Events
