2012 Champions of the Earth Award

Nominations are now open for the 2012 Champions of the Earth -- the United Nations' flagship environment award that recognizes outstanding visionaries and leaders in the fields of policy, science, entrepreneurship and civil society action.

The Award, which is organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), seeks to honour men and women whose actions and leadership have made a positive impact on the environment.

Whether by helping to improve the management of natural resources, demonstrating new ways to tackle climate change or raising awareness of emerging environmental challenges, Champions of the Earth should serve as an inspiration for transformative action across the world. Past laureates have included Mikhail Gorbachev, Al Gore, Felipe Calderon, Mohamed Nasheed, Marina Silva, Vinod Khosla, and many other such exemplary leaders on the environment and development front.

The Champions of the Earth laureates are invited to accept their award at an international ceremony, which publicizes and encourages the worldwide replication of their achievements.

Next year’s award ceremony comes in the run up to Rio+20 or two decades after the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 that established treaties on biodiversity, climate change and land desertification and set the course for contemporary sustainable development. It also comes 40 years after the Stockholm Conference that established the UN Environment Program (UNEP).Members of the public can now nominate a candidate who they believe is a true champion of green development. Nominations will be accepted until October 31, 2011.

H.E Felipe Calderon, Mexico
Champions of the Earth Laureate, 2011 - Policy Leadership

“There is a clear way in which we can fight climate change and at the same time fight extreme poverty in our countries. And the answer to that is the green economy.”

Past laureates: http://www.unep.org/champions/laureates/2011/

Edited: G. Cornwell