New Delhi:
The United Nations has awarded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron with UN’s highest environmental honour- Champions of the Earth – for their outstanding championing the International Solar Alliance. Both leaders have been recognised in the policy leadership category of the United Nations.
“Emmanuel Macron, President of France and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, are recognized in the Policy Leadership category for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of levels of cooperation on environmental action, including Macron’s work on the Global Pact for the Environment and Modi’s unprecedented pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022,” the United Nations said in a press release.
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Announced today (Wednesday), the Champions of the Earth Awards, the UN’s highest environmental honor, will be presented to six outstanding environmental changemakers, including Modi and Macron.
Besides Modi and Macron, Joan Carling - Secretary-General, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, plant-based burger startup Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, China’s Zhejiang’s Green Rural Revival Programme, Cochin International Airport will also be awarded with the UN’s highest environmental honour.
“The Champions of the Earth Award and Young Champions of the Earth Prize recognize those not afraid to chart unknown waters or be the voice of the voiceless. These people are changing our world today for a better tomorrow,” said Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment.
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The champions are recognized for their achievements in the categories including Policy Leadership, Entrepreneurial Vision, Science and Innovation, Inspiration and Action, and Lifetime Achievement.
