PM Modi gets UN's highest environmental honour 'Champions of the Earth Award'

PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have been jointly recognised in the Policy Leadership category for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of levels of cooperation on environmental action.

Photo: ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been felicitated with the United Nation’s highest environmental honour ‘UN Champions of the Earth’ award for his leadership of the International Solar Alliance and pledge to eliminate single use plastic in India by 2022. Five other individuals and organizations have been bestowed with the honour. PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have been jointly recognised in the Policy Leadership category for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of levels of cooperation on environmental action, including Macron's work on the Global Pact for the Environment and Modi's unprecedented pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022.

PM @narendramodi has been awarded the prestigious @UN Champions of the Earth Award.

President @EmmanuelMacron and Shri Modi have been awarded in the Policy Leadership category, for their efforts regarding the International Solar Alliance. https://t.co/zSNk3lS3uy — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 26, 2018

The @UN has also noted PM @narendramodi's efforts towards eliminating single-use plastic in India by 2022.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 26, 2018

The six awardees have been recognized for their outstanding efforts as environmental changemakers. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: “This years' laureates are recognised for a combination of bold,  innovative, and tireless efforts to tackle some of the most urgent environmental issues of our times.” Apart from this, Cochin International Airport has also been honoured this year with the award for Entrepreneurial Vision, for its leadership in the use of sustainable energy.

It is also a matter of great joy that the Cochin International Airport has been awarded the @UN Champions of the Earth Award for its leadership in the use of sustainable energy.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 26, 2018

Ministry of Extrenal Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said it's a big honour to receive such award together with the President of France...It's a big honour not only for PM Modi but also for India.

It's a big honour to receive such award together with the President of France...It's a big honour not only for PM Modi but also for India: Raveesh Kumar, MEA on PM Modi & French President Macron getting UN’s highest environmental honour, ‘Champions of the Earth’. pic.twitter.com/2ZOV8UWibQ

— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2018

Reacting to the news, Minister of Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu congratulated the Prime Minister on Twitter:

Congratulations to our Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji on being awarded the UN Champions of the Earth Award, the highest environment award by the @UN, in the Policy Leadership category. The nation takes immense pride on this achievement.

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) September 27, 2018

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP President Amit Shah also tweeted to congratulate Modi on his achievement..

Our PM Shri @narendramodi has been recognised as one of the world’s most outstanding environmental changemakers. He has been accorded with the Champions of the Earth Award, the UN’s highest environmental honour. It is indeed a matter of joy and pride for the entire nation.

— രാജ് നാഥ് സിങ് (@rajnathsingh) September 27, 2018

It is a matter of great pride for every Indian that PM @narendramodi has been awarded the UN Champions of the Earth Award in the Policy Leadership category. This is the UN’s highest recognition for people whose actions have had a transformative impact on the environment.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 26, 2018