Sayeed Muhammad
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won the UN’s highest environmental honour for his leadership of the International Solar Alliance and pledge to eliminate single use plastic in India by 2022. Called Champions of the Earth Award, the award is conferred on five other individuals and organisations, reports PTI. Six of the world’s most outstanding environmental changemakers have been recognised with award.
“This years’ laureates are recognised for a combination of bold, innovative and tireless efforts to tackle some of the most urgent environmental issues of our times,” the UN Environment Programme said.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Modi have been jointly recognised in the Policy Leadership category for their award.

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, earned them the honour.

“In a world of uncertainty, this is certain: We will not solve the extraordinary challenges our world faces today without extraordinary talent, new thinking and bold ideas,” said Head of UN Environment Erik Solheim. “The Champions of the Earth Award and Young Champions of the Earth Prize recognise 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.”

The awards will be presented during the Champions of the Earth Gala in New York City, on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly.

The Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental recognition celebrating exceptional figures from the public and private sectors and from civil society, whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment.