Supriya Sahu: A Leader in Climate Action and Sustainability

Supriya Sahu: Honored with the Champions of the Earth Award 2025

Supriya Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Champions of the Earth Award, the highest environmental accolade from the United Nations. This recognition was announced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) during the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held in Nairobi. The award acknowledges her significant contributions to sustainable cooling, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation.

Sahu received the award in the Inspiration and Action category, which honors individuals who create measurable and transformative environmental benefits for both people and the planet.

Why Supriya Sahu Was Selected

As per UNEP, Supriya Sahu’s climate initiatives have led to:

• Generation of 2.5 million green jobs
• Expansion of forest cover across Tamil Nadu
• Integration of heat-adaptation measures into public spaces and infrastructure
• Improvement of climate resilience for nearly 12 million people
• Positioning Tamil Nadu as a global leader in adaptation and sustainable cooling

Her achievements are particularly critical as global temperatures are anticipated to exceed 1.5°C in the next decade, leading to more intense heatwaves and climate-related disasters.

Key Climate Contributions by Supriya Sahu

Supriya Sahu's contributions can be categorized into three main areas:

• Sustainable Cooling Innovations: Under her guidance, Tamil Nadu has established heat-resilient public infrastructure, including:
  • Tree-lined urban corridors
  • Nature-based shading systems
  • Heat action plans tailored for vulnerable communities
• Ecosystem Restoration: Her policies have bolstered:
  • Mangrove restoration efforts
  • Wetland conservation
  • Grassland regeneration
• Community-Centric Climate Governance: Sahu's initiatives merge low-tech and high-tech solutions, demonstrating the impact of citizen involvement alongside government action in fostering long-term environmental change.

Other 2025 Champions of the Earth Award Laureates

This year's global winners exemplify innovative solutions to pressing climate and environmental challenges:

• Pacific Islands youth group: Secured a historic International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate justice
• Mariam Issoufou (Sahel): Honored for climate-resilient architectural design
• Imazon (Brazil): Recognized for AI-based deforestation monitoring
• Manfredi Caltagirone (Posthumous): Awarded for lifetime achievement in methane reduction research

Together, these laureates emphasize the urgent need for climate solutions that are innovative, scalable, and justice-oriented.

Significance of the Champions of the Earth Award

Established in 2005, the Champions of the Earth Award is UNEP's highest honor. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, it recognizes individuals and organizations that are driving transformative environmental change across various categories, including:

• Policy leadership
• Entrepreneurial vision
• Inspiration and action
• Science and innovation

UNEP has noted that the 2025 winners exemplify bold actions, especially considering that adaptation costs for developing nations could escalate to USD 365 billion annually by 2035.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the Champions of the Earth Award?
Answer: The Champions of the Earth Award is the United Nations' highest environmental recognition, celebrating individuals and organizations contributing significantly to environmental change.

Q2. Who is Supriya Sahu?
Answer: Supriya Sahu is the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, recognized for her pioneering efforts in climate adaptation and sustainable practices.

Q3. What initiatives led to Supriya Sahu's recognition?
Answer: Her initiatives include generating green jobs, expanding forest cover, and implementing heat-adaptation measures for public infrastructure.

Q4. When was the Champions of the Earth Award established?
Answer: The Champions of the Earth Award was established in 2005 and has been honoring exemplary environmental contributions for 20 years.

Q5. Why is climate resilience important?
Answer: Climate resilience is vital for communities to withstand and recover from climate-related disasters, ensuring sustainable living and environmental stability.