{"id":235552,"date":"2025-12-16T10:25:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/235552\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:25:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:25:22","slug":"five-climate-trailblazers-uneps-2025-champions-of-the-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/235552\/","title":{"rendered":"Five climate trailblazers: UNEP\u2019S 2025 Champions of the Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the world moves to slow climate change and create a more sustainable future, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/a> named five new climate visionaries on Wednesday as its\u202f2025 Champions of the Earth<\/a> \u2014 the UN’s highest environmental honour.<\/p>\n

These five extraordinary leaders, who work on issues ranging from climate justice to sustainable cooling and forest protection, show that bold action can drive real change for people and planet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the global impacts of the climate crisis intensify, innovation and leadership across every sector of society have never been more essential,\u201d<\/strong> said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung students demanding climate justice, subnational governments and architects leading on sustainable cooling and smart building design, research institutes slowing deforestation \u2013 and passionate individuals driving methane emissions reductions \u2013 this year\u2019s Champions of the Earth show the kind of leadership that will inspire the world to face down the challenge of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, the laureates are tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate justice, methane emissions, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and forest conversation, according to the UN\u2019s environment agency.<\/p>\n

UNEP\u2019s 2025 Champions of the Earth are:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change<\/strong><\/a>\u202f\u2013\u202fPolicy Leadership<\/p>\n

When Cynthia Houniuhi addressed the International Court of Justice<\/a> in The Hague a year ago, she spoke plainly: climate change is devastating Pacific Island nations like her home, the Solomon Islands. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Through her youth-led NGO, which secured a landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ<\/a>) opinion affirming states\u2019 legal duties to prevent climate harm and uphold human rights, she is helping to reshape global climate law and empower vulnerable nations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Champions<\/p>\n

Champions of the Earth Award winner Cynthia Houniuhi, a climate justice advocate from the Solomon Islands who co-founded and led Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change.<\/p>\n

Supriya Sahu,<\/strong><\/a> Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu<\/strong>\u202f\u2013\u202fInspiration and Action<\/p>\n

Indian environmentalist Ms. Sahu is redefining how communities adapt to extreme heat \u2013 restoring nature to cool cities, redesigning schools for safety, and promoting climate-smart infrastructure. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Her sustainable cooling and restoration initiatives have created 2.5 million green jobs, expanded forest cover, and improved resilience for 12 million people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Champions<\/p>\n

\u00a9 UNEP\/Florian Fussstetter<\/p>\n

Champions of the Earth Award winner Supriya Sahu is recognized for her groundbreaking leadership in subnational climate action, restoring ecosystems and scaling sustainable cooling innovations across Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n

Mariam Issoufou,<\/strong><\/a> Principal and Founder, Mariam Issoufou Architects, Niger\/France<\/strong> \u2013\u202fEntrepreneurial Vision<\/p>\n

By grounding her architecture in local materials and cultural heritage, Ms. Issoufou is redefining sustainable, climate-resilient buildings across the Sahel and inspiring a new generation of designers shaping Africa\u2019s built environment. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Through projects like the Hikma Community Complex in Niger, she pioneers passive cooling techniques that keep buildings up to 10\u00b0C cooler without air conditioning.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Champions<\/p>\n

Champions of the Earth Award winner Mariam Issoufou is a Nigerien architect whose work redefines the relationship between contemporary design and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

Imazon,<\/strong><\/a> Brazil\u202f<\/strong>\u2013\u202fScience and Innovation<\/p>\n

Imazon has developed AI deforestation prediction models that inform policies and help law enforcement protect the Amazon rainforest, while promoting sustainable economic growth. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

By combining science and AI-driven geospatial tools to curb deforestation, Imazon\u2019s non-profit research institute has strengthened forest governance, supported thousands of legal cases, and revealed the scale of illegal deforestation, driving systemic change in the Amazon basin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Champions<\/p>\n

Champions of the Earth Award winner Cynthia Houniuhi is awarded for pioneering forest monitoring systems that combine cutting-edge geospatial science and AI to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.<\/p>\n

Manfredi Caltagirone\u202f(posthumous)<\/strong><\/a> \u2013\u202fLifetime Achievement<\/p>\n

Mr. Caltagirone has dedicated his career to one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Guided by his vision for open, reliable, and actionable data, he has driven efforts to turn knowledge into climate action. \u00a0<\/p>\n

As the former head of UNEP\u2019s International Methane Emissions Observatory, he advanced transparency and science-based policy on methane emissions, helping shape the EU\u2019s first regulation on methane emissions and shaping global energy policy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Manfredi<\/p>\n

Manfredi Caltagirone, posthumously honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his visionary leadership in founding the International Methane Emissions Observatory and advancing global action on methane.<\/p>\n

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