PM Narendra Modi and Cochin Airport to Get UN’s Environmental Honor

By Little India Desk | September 28, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cochin International Airport are among the six winners of the “Champions of Earth” award for this year. This award is United Nation’s highest environmental honor.

As per a report in the Times of India, this award will be conferred to PM Modi by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in India. The newspaper cited India’s environment secretary C K Mishra as saying, “The UN chief will present the award to the Prime Minister on October 3. Other details (time schedule and venue) are being worked out.”

PM Modi has been selected for this prestigious award in Policy Leadership category with French President Emmanuel Macron. Cochin International Airport will be awarded for Entrepreneurial Vision, which has been shown in its leadership in the use of sustainable energy.

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said in its statement on Sept. 26, “This years’ laureates are recognized for a combination of bold, innovative, and tireless efforts to tackle some of the most urgent environmental issues of our times.”

It said about Indian Prime Minister, “Under Modi’s leadership, India pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics in the country by 2022. Prime Minister Modi also supports and champions the International Solar Alliance, a global partnership to scale up solar energy.”

UNEP also lauded the Cochin International Airport for being world’s first solar power airport, which has its entire operations powered by solar energy.

According to the UNEP statement, the winners of the award are: Joan Carling from Philippines, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods as joint winners, Emmanuel Macron, Narendra Modi, Zhejiang’s Green Rural Revival Program from China and Cochin International Airport.

Seven other environmental trailblazers between the ages of 18 and 30 will be awarded with Young Champions of the Earth for their ambitious project ideas to restore and protect the environment.

“In a world of uncertainty, this is certain: We will not solve the extraordinary challenges our world faces today without extraordinary talent, new thinking and bold ideas,” said Head of UNEP Erik Solheim in the statement.

“The Champions of the Earth Award and Young Champions of the Earth Prize recognize those not afraid to chart unknown waters or be the voice of the voiceless. These people are changing our world today for a better tomorrow,” he added.

Responding to the announcement of the winners, PM Modi tweeted, “I accept, with all humility the ‘Champions of the Earth Award’ and thank the UN for conferring this honor.”

“This Award is not for an individual but for the Indian tradition and value systems of living in harmony with nature and protecting the environment,” he added.

I accept, with all humility the ‘Champions of the Earth Award’ and thank the @UN for conferring this honour.

This Award is not for an individual but for the Indian tradition and value systems of living in harmony with nature and protecting the environment. pic.twitter.com/mq785AozYC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2018

He also expressed his delight for Cochin International Airport being selected as the winner and said, “The Airport is an inspiration for several other airports in how we can leverage the power of solar energy for a better tomorrow.”

Delighted that Cochin International Airport’s remarkable usage of sustainable energy has been recognised and the Airport is a proud recipient of the @UN ‘Champions of the Earth Awards.’

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2018

According to the UNEP statement, these awards will be given during the Champions of the Earth Gala in New York City, which will take place on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly.