27 September 2015: Five environmental leaders received the UN’s Champions of the Earth Award for their roles in policy leadership, science and innovation, entrepreneurial vision and inspiration and action. The award ceremony took place at the end of the UN Sustainable Development Summit.

The award for policy leadership went to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh, for outstanding leadership on climate change. The award for science and innovation was given to the National Geographic Society, for over a century of science, exploration and storytelling. The award for entrepreneurial vision went to Paul Polman, Unilever CEO, for challenging business norms to show that sustainable, equitable and environmentally-conscious business is smart business and to Brazilian Cosmetics Firm Natura, for its commitment to using sustainable business models. Finally, the award for inspiration and action was bestowed upon the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, South Africa, for fighting illegal wildlife trade at the community level.

The award ceremony, which took place on 27 September 2015 in New York, US, was presided over by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassadors, actor Ian Somerhalder and model Gisele Bündchen, as well as actress Nikki Reed, and focused on supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Champions of the Earth prize is awarded annually to leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment. Since their inception eleven years ago, the awards have recognized 72 laureates. [Champions of the Earth Website] [UNEP Press Release] [UN Press Release: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina] [UNEP Press Release: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina] [UNEP Press Release: Natura] [UNEP Press Release: Unilever] [UNEP Press Release: National Geographic Society] [UNEP Press Release: Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit]