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Five Environmental Leaders Receive Champions of Earth Award

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 28 2015 (IPS) - Five “inspirational environmental leaders” have received the UN’s highest environmental accolade, the “Champions of the Earth Award”, at a ceremony Sunday marking the close of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) summit.

The annual prize is awarded to outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment.

This year’s awards, presided over by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassadors, actor Ian Somerhalder and model Gisele Bundchen, as well as actress Nikki Reed, were focused on supporting the newly adopted SDGs.

The full list of winners is as follows:
POLICY LEADERSHIP: Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, for outstanding leadership on the frontline of climate change.

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION: National Geographic Society, for over a century of life-changing science, exploration and storytelling.

ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION: Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, for challenging business norms to show that sustainable, equitable and environmentally-conscious business is smart business and Natura (Brazilian Cosmetics Firm), for unparalleled commitment to trailblazing sustainable business models.

INSPIRATION AND ACTION: The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit (South Africa), for outstanding courage in fighting the illegal wildlife trade at community level.

Speaking at the award ceremony, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said, “Today we witnessed a historic moment. 193 nations committed to a sustainable path forward for the entire planet and its peoples through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is a major achievement, but the hard work now begins in earnest.”

“With 17 goals that integrate all aspects of our economies, societies and the environment, the challenge is formidable. Each of this year’s five UN Champions of the Earth demonstrates that this challenge can, and I believe will be met to help usher in an equitable and sustainable future for all.”
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