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PM Narendra Modi awarded UN 'Champions of the Earth Award'

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Subhayan Chakraborty | Updated on: 03 Oct 2018, 01:30:04 PM
PM Narendra Modi awarded UN's 'Champions of the Earth Award' (Photo: Twitter)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received the ‘UNEP Champions of The Earth Award’ at a special ceremony at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi. ‘The Champions of the Earth Award’ is United Nations’ highest environmental honour and was announced on September 26 on the sidelines of 73rd UN General Assembly in New York. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres awarded PM Modi the ‘Champions of The Earth Award.

“It is an honour for Indians. Indians are committed to save the environment,” said PM Narendra Modi on receiving the 'UNEP Champions of the Earth' award.

The UN’s highest environmental honour was bestowed up PM Modi for his leadership of the International Solar Alliance and ‘unprecedented pledge’ to end the use of plastic by 2022.

“Climate and calamity are directly related to culture; if the climate is not the focus of culture, calamity cannot be prevented. When I say ‘Sabka Saath,’ I also include nature in it,” PM Modi added.

Five other organisation and individuals will also be honoured with the ‘Champions of The Earth 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 had said earlier.

Apart from PM Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron was selected under the ‘policy leadership’.

Meanwhile, Cochin International Airport will receive the award for ‘Entrepreneurial Vision’ for using sustainable energy.

“Cochin is showing the world that our ever-expanding network of global movement doesn't have to harm the environment. As the pace of society continues to increase, the world's first fully solar-powered airport is proof positive that green business is good business.”

The annual Champions of the Earth Award, which was founded 13 years ago, is awarded to leaders from government, civil society and private sectors for having an impact on the environment.

Afroz Shah, who led the world’s largest beach clean-up, had received the Award in 2016. The annual Champions of the Earth Award, founded 13 years ago, is given to outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment.

The Champions of the Earth Award winners are recognised for their excellence in categories - Policy Leadership, Entrepreneurial Vision, Science and Innovation, Inspiration and Action and Lifetime Achievement.

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First Published : 03 Oct 2018, 01:05:57 PM

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