Working on issues ranging from climate justice to sustainable cooling to forest protection, these five extraordinary leaders demonstrate 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 all sectors of society have never been more essential.” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
“Young students demanding climate justice, subnational governments and architects leading sustainable cooling and smart building design, research institutes slowing deforestation – and passionate individuals driving the reduction of methane emissions – this year’s Champions of the Earth show the kind of leadership that will inspire the world to rise to the challenge of climate change.”
This year, honorees address some of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate justice, methane emissions, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings and the conversation about forests, according to the UN environmental agency.
The UNEP Champions of the Earth for 2025 are:
Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change –Political leadership
When Cynthia Houniuhi addressed the International Court of Justice in The Hague a year ago, she spoke clearly: Climate change is devastating Pacific island nations like her home, the Solomon Islands.
Through her youth-led NGO, which obtained a landmark opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirming the legal duties of states to prevent climate damage and defend human rights, she is helping to reshape global climate law and empower vulnerable nations.
Cynthia Houniuhi, Champions of the Earth award winner, Solomon Islander climate justice advocate, and co-founder and leader of Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change.
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu –Inspiration and action
Indian environmentalist Sahu is redefining how communities adapt to extreme heat: restoring nature to cool cities, redesigning schools to be safe, and promoting climate-smart infrastructure.
Its sustainable cooling and restoration initiatives have created 2.5 million green jobs, expanded forest cover and improved the resilience of 12 million people.
Champions of the Earth award winner Supriya Sahu is recognized for her innovative leadership in subnational climate action, ecosystem restoration and scaling up sustainable cooling innovations across Tamil Nadu.
By basing her architecture on 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 such as the Hikma Community Complex in Niger, it is pioneering passive cooling techniques that keep buildings up to 10°C cooler without air conditioning.
Mariam Issoufou, winner of the Champions of the Earth award, is a Nigerien architect whose work redefines the relationship between contemporary design and cultural heritage.
amazon, Brazil–Science and Innovation
Imazon has developed AI deforestation prediction models that inform policy and help law enforcement protect the Amazon rainforest, while promoting sustainable economic growth.
By combining science and AI-powered geospatial tools to curb deforestation, Imazon’s nonprofit 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.
Champions of the Earth award winner Cynthia Houniuhi receives the award for pioneering forest monitoring systems that combine cutting-edge geospatial science and artificial intelligence to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.
Caltagirone has dedicated his career to one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Guided by his vision of open, trustworthy and actionable data, he has driven efforts to turn knowledge into climate action.
As former head of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, he pushed for transparency and science-based policy on methane emissions, helping to shape the first EU regulation on methane emissions and shaping global energy policy.
Manfredi Caltagirone, posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his visionary leadership in founding the International Methane Emissions Observatory and advancing global action on methane.