The 2008 Champions of the Earth winners are closely related to climate change
BEIJING, Jan. 31, 2008, NAIROBI, Jan. 28, 2008 – From protecting the biodiversity of the Yemeni islands to implementing climate-testing strategies in Sudan to promoting environmental protection in Barbados, the 2008 winners of the United Nations Environment Programme’s "Champions of the Earth" award have contributed globally.
The United Nations Environment Programme today announced that seven environmentalists, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, former United States Senator Timothy E. Wirth, and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, have been awarded this year’s UNEP "Champions of the Earth" awards.
On April 22, the Champions of the Earth Awards ceremony will be held in Singapore to recognize those who have made extraordinary contributions to environmental protection.
The other four Champions of the Earth winners are: Balgis Osman-Elasha, Senior Research Fellow of the Sudan High Council for Environment and Nature; Atiq Rahman, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies; Liz Thompson, former Minister of Energy and Environment of Barbados; and Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal, Secretary-General of the National People’s Congress of the Republic of Yemen.
These winners have made outstanding contributions in many environmental fields, from formulating environmental policy to leveraging state-of-the-art research to achieve sustainable development and combat climate change.
The winner of the Champions of the Earth Award was announced on the eve of the tenth special session of the UNEP Governing Council, which will be held in Monaco from February 20 to 22 and will bring together more than 100 environment ministers from around the world. This year’s special council will focus on the hottest topic of the day – the challenge of climate change, in particular how to achieve the transition to a low-carbon society.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, said: "Today, we face unprecedented environmental challenges. When it comes to environmental issues, we need leaders and contributors like the 2008 Champions of the Earth winners now more than ever. These winners prompt us to take more authentic and positive action to solve environmental problems. In the process, the winners not only show us the possibility of taking action to achieve environmental protection, but also provide us with numerous opportunities to help us transition to a green economy."
About the "Champions of the Earth Awards"
The "Champions of the Earth" International Environmental Award was officially launched in 2004. The United Nations Environment Programme will present the award to seven outstanding environmental leaders each year. The All-China Youth Federation and its honorary chairperson Zhou Qiang have won the first "Champions of the Earth Award". In addition, South African President Mbeki, former US Vice President Al Gore and the International Olympic Committee and its president Jacques Rogge are all previous winners of the "Champions of the Earth Award".
2008 Champions of the Earth Winners
United Nations Environment Programme Special Awards
Hon. Helen Clark
By setting a carbon neutrality target for New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark has made New Zealand a pioneer in addressing its environmental challenges. Ms Clark’s three policies – the Emissions Trading Scheme, the Energy Strategy Policy, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy – also blaze a new trail for sustainable development and climate change.
Ms Clark’s three policies have promoted the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in major sectors of New Zealand’s economy. Her government has also made great achievements in environmental protection, such as raising public awareness of forestry and agriculture, and promoting the active participation of private enterprises in building sustainability.
On June 5, 2008, New Zealand will host this year’s World Environment Day celebrations under the theme "Changing Concepts and Promoting a Low Carbon Economy". The United Nations aims to raise environmental awareness among people around the world through this annual celebration.
Africa
Balgis Osman-Elasha
As a senior researcher in Sudan, Dr. Balgis Osman-Elasha has been working on global climate change research. A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims that she has achieved ground-breaking results on global warming, particularly in North and East Africa.
Dr. Osman-Elasha’s focus on global warming and adaptation in Sudan has been instrumental in studying the links between climate change in Sudan and conflict in the country. Her image on climate change is an excellent example for women in Africa.
This award also recognizes Osman-Elasha’s work on climate change education at the University of Sudan. Through this education, our new generation will be better aware of the importance of environmental issues.
Asia Pacific
Atiq Rahman
Dr. Atiq Rahman has been working on sustainable development initiatives in Bangladesh, which has been devastated by climate change and floods in recent years. As a leading expert in his field of work, the Executive Director of the Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies has transformed the research center into a think tank dedicated to sustainable development issues in South Asia.
Dr. Rahman’s widely published work on environment and development provides a broad reference for his peers, and he has developed an innovative graduate program on sustainable development and North-South dialogue.
Drawing on his valuable experience in environmental and resource management, Rahman not only provides expert advice to the Asia-Pacific region, but also helps raise awareness of the dangers of global warming in other regions.
Europe
Prince Albert II, Principality of Monaco
One of Prince Albert II’s achievements was to promote Monaco’s signing of the Kyoto Protocol, which is his outstanding contribution to the environment. Since 1990, Prince Albert II has been committed to environmental protection. He has been a strong supporter of raising awareness of climate change and organized a major Arctic expedition in 2006, hoping to raise awareness of the consequences of global warming.
He established the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco in 2006. The foundation is mainly dedicated to environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable development, with a focus on biodiversity loss, water resources, and climate change responses. Prince Albert II is also a sponsor of the United Nations Environment Programme’s 2007 Billion Trees campaign.
Prince Albert II also focuses on the sustainable development of his country. Under his leadership, Monaco is implementing a carbon dioxide reduction policy, trying to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in various fields.
Latin America and the Caribbean
H.E. Liz Thompson
Ms. Thompson has been recognized as a leader in environmental issues in small island developing States.
During her tenure as Minister of Energy and Environment of Barbados, she developed a series of active policies for sustainable development and environmental protection. She also promoted awareness of global warming among the people of Barbados – which is closely related to the challenges of climate change and nature conservation in Barbados.
Ms. Thompson also works on environmental awareness and conservation issues in the Caribbean. She encourages small island states to diversify their economies, conduct sustainability assessments, and promote community-based, environmentally friendly programs.
North America
Timothy E. Wirth
For the past 30 years, Timothy E. Wirth has been dedicated to environmental issues in the United States. As President of the XXX Foundation, Mr. Wirth has made environmental issues his main focus and has made extensive use of resources to address more serious issues such as biodiversity, climate change, and renewable energy.
As a supporter of the Kyoto Protocol, Mr. Wirth has been calling for policy action to curb global warming while delaying the US deputy secretary of global affairs.
During his tenure as a member of the Senate, Mr. Wirth took environmental issues very seriously. In Colorado, USA, he was actively involved in a number of initiatives related to environmental protection and natural resources. Mr. Wirth was involved in the preparation of the Colorado Badlands Bill, as well as other energy and environmental protection legislation.
West Asia
H.E. Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal
Mr. Ba-Jammal has been a pioneer in environmental protection in Yemen, which has faced enormous environmental challenges in recent years, both in terms of water scarcity and desertification. During his tenure as Minister and Prime Minister of the Environment, he established the Yemeni Water Resources Environment and Environmental Protection Committee, mobilized state and national funds to protect the environment and achieve sustainable water management, and implemented a series of environmental policies in Yemen.
Mr. Ba-Jammal is also committed to the environmental protection of the Socotra Islands, a globally important biodiversity base. With his strong support, the Socotra Islands Environmental Protection Fund was established, and the islands were listed as a UNESCO Man and Biological Reserve in 2003.
Mr. Ba-Jammal has also supported several marine and land protection regulations in Yemen and established a national conservation agency to protect the marine resources of Yemen’s developing islands.
Editor in charge: Zhou Zhongxiao