As the world moves to slow climate change and create a more sustainable future, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has named five climate forerunners as its 2025 Champions of the Earth. 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 the planet.
“As the global impacts of the climate crisis intensify, innovation and leadership across every sector of society have never been more essential,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Young students demanding climate justice, subnational governments and architects leading on sustainable cooling and smart building design, research institutes slowing deforestation, and passionate individuals driving methane emissions reductions — this year’s Champions of the Earth show the kind of leadership that will inspire the world to face down the challenge of climate change.”
Now in its 20th year, UNEP’s Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour, celebrating environmental leaders who deliver important solutions in their fields. This year’s laureates — announced on the margins of the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly — are tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate justice, methane emissions, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and forest conservation. Since 2005, the award has recognized 127 leaders whose vision and courage inspire global action.
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UNEP’s 2025 Champions of the Earth are:
Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change — Policy Leadership
A youth-led NGO that secured a landmark opinion from the International Court of Justice affirming states’ legal obligations to prevent climate harm and protect human rights. Their campaign is reshaping global climate law and empowering vulnerable nations.
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu — Inspiration and Action
A pioneer in sustainable cooling and ecosystem restoration, Ms. Sahu’s initiatives have created 2.5 million green jobs, expanded forest cover, and integrated heat adaptation into infrastructure, benefiting 12 million people and setting a model for climate resilience.
Mariam Issoufou, Principal and Founder, Mariam Issoufou Architects, Niger/France — Entrepreneurial Vision
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’s built environment. Through projects like the Hikma Community Complex in Niger, she pioneers passive cooling techniques that keep buildings up to 10°C cooler without air conditioning.
Imazon, Brazil — Science and Innovation
A research institute combining science and AI-driven geospatial tools to curb deforestation, Imazon’s work has strengthened forest governance, supported thousands of legal cases, and revealed the scale of illegal deforestation — driving systemic change in the Amazon.
Manfredi Caltagirone (posthumous) — Lifetime Achievement
Former head of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, Mr. Caltagirone championed transparency and science-based action on methane, influencing the EU’s first regulation on methane emissions and shaping global energy policy.
The work of this year’s laureates focuses on the crisis of climate change: global temperatures are on track to exceed 1.5°C within the next decade, and current pledges fall short of Paris Agreement goals. Adaptation costs for developing countries could reach $310–$365 billion annually by 2035, twelve times current funding levels. Yet these Champions prove that action is possible and powerful. Cutting methane today can cool the planet within years, improve air quality, and create jobs. Restoring forests safeguards water, reduces disasters, and protects biodiversity. Sustainable cooling and resilient buildings save lives, preserve food and vaccines, and keep economies productive. Climate justice ensures that vulnerable communities have a voice and legal protection.
Inger Andersen Quotes on Individual Winners
Inger Andersen on Manfredi Caltagirone:
“A deeply talented climate specialist determined to make a real difference, Manfredi understood that urgent action on critical priorities such as methane could be make-or-break for a safer world. As head of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory and Methane Alert and Response System, Manfredi created a community of partners who pushed for solutions across difficult and complex sectors. He is sorely missed, but UNEP will honour his legacy by continuing to push for rapid reductions in methane emissions.”
Inger Andersen on Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change:
“Climate action and climate justice are for the people of the world, particularly those in nations most affected by rising temperatures, so the voices of the people must be heard. The members of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change did not wait for their voices to be heard; they made them heard — which led to a game-changing opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligation of states to prevent climate-related harm. These students are an inspiration to us all and show that we all have the potential to be changemakers.”
Inger Andersen on Supriya Sahu:
“Even as the planet heats up, the world’s cities are heating ever faster. Into these concrete jungles, Supriya Sahu has brought the cooling spray of nature, helping millions of people — among them thousands of schoolchildren — cope with the debilitating summer heat of Tamil Nadu, India. Her leadership demonstrates not just the importance of using nature to cool passively, avoiding the huge energy burden of air conditioning, but also the importance of subnational leadership in addressing the climate crisis.”
Inger Andersen on Mariam Issoufou:
“The sustainability of the spaces where we live, work, learn, and worship starts with the right design, which is why architects can serve as the sparks that ignite change. Mariam Issoufou has shown that she is years ahead of many of her peers, situating her work not apart from nature but within it. Her locally appropriate and culturally sensitive designs are keeping buildings sustainable and cool, and setting models that many across the continent of Africa can follow.”
Inger Andersen on Imazon:
“There is rightful concern around the environmental impact of data centres and AI, but Imazon has shown that these technologies can be truly transformational when put to the right uses. Their AI-driven prediction models have delivered accurate early warnings on deforestation in the Amazon and helped to deliver better enforcement and real reductions in deforestation rates. Imazon is showing exactly where the real power of AI lies. I call on other tech innovators to follow their lead.”
