Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Source: UNEP
Context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced the 2023 Champions of the Earth, recognizing individuals and organizations for innovative solutions to combat plastic pollution.
The award, the UN’s highest environmental honor, acknowledges efforts to address the global plastic crisis.
Awardees and their contributions include:
| Awardee | Category | Work Description |
| Mayor Josefina Belmonte, Quezon City, Philippines | Policy Leadership | Implementing policies to combat climate crisis, end plastic pollution, and promote green urban initiatives. |
| Ellen MacArthur Foundation, United Kingdom | Inspiration and Action | Mainstreaming a lifecycle approach for plastics, fostering collaborations among decision-makers, academia, and more to address climate, biodiversity, and plastic pollution. |
| Blue Circle, China | Entrepreneurial Vision | Utilizing blockchain and IoT to track and manage plastic pollution lifecycle, including collection, regeneration, re-manufacturing, and resale. |
| José Manuel Moller, Chile | Entrepreneurial Vision | Leading Algramo, a social enterprise offering refill services to reduce plastic pollution and lower costs of everyday essentials. |
| Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa | Science and Innovation | Employing cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary research to develop innovative solutions for plastic pollution, including sustainable alternatives and local manufacturing. |
Previous, Indian awardees include: Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman (2022); PM Narendra Modi (2018); Tulsi Tanti (Chairman of the Suzlon Group), and Afroz Alam, a lawyer who led the clean-up at Mumbai’s Versova beach
About the award:
The UNEP’s Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s top environmental annual honor, celebrates individuals, groups, and organizations for their transformative contributions to the environment. It has recognized leaders in government, civil society, and the private sector since its establishment in 2005, honoring those leading efforts to protect our natural world.
To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, UNEP had launched #BeatPollution, a strategy for rapid, large-scale and coordinated action against air, land and water pollution
