The UN’s highest environmental recognition is the Champions of the Earth award. It acknowledges exceptional figures from the public and private sectors and from civil society whose actions have had a transformative, positive impact on the environment.
The honour has been conferred on the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his leadership in a global solar alliance and the efforts to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022. He has been awarded the 2018 United Nations’ Champions of the Earth award. The awards, instituted by UN Environment, were presented during the Champions of the Earth Gala in New York City, on the side lines of the 73rd UN General Assembly.
The United Nations has recognised Modi with its highest environmental honour in the policy leadership category for lending his leadership to the global solar alliance and his efforts to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022. Along with him, the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, has also been awarded in the same category for his work on the Global Pact for the Environment.
This is what Modi had to say —
I accept, with all humility the ‘Champions of the Earth Award’ and thank the @UN for conferring this honour. This Award is not for an individual but for the Indian tradition and value systems of living in harmony with nature and protecting the environment.
And this is what he conveyed to the French President :
I congratulate President @EmmanuelMacron on getting the @UN ‘Champions of the Earth Award.’ The honour is a fitting recognition for his work towards creating a cleaner and greener tomorrow. His role in strengthening the International Solar Alliance is also extremely commendable.
“Six of the world’s most outstanding environmental change-makers will be recognised today with Champions of the Earth Award, the UN’s highest environmental honour,” the UN statement released on Wednesday read.
Cochin International Airport of India was also awarded for its leadership in the use of sustainable energy in the category of entrepreneurial vision. The airport, situated in the southern part of India is the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.
Delighted that Cochin International Airport’s remarkable usage of sustainable energy has been recognised and the Airport is a proud recipient of the @UN ‘Champions of the Earth Awards.’
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2018
“Cochin is showing the world that our ever-expanding network of global movement doesn’t have to harm the environment,” the UN statement said, recognising the feat.
