https://www.unep.org/youngchampions/
https://www.unep.org/events/unep-event/2025-young-champions-earth-award-...
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This forward-looking prize is designed to fuel the ambitions of brilliant young environmentalists.
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The award ceremony will be held in New York City 23 September on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
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Take a look at past winners from around the world.
The Award Ceremony for the 2025 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Young Champions of the Earth will be held on 23 September 2025 at the SDG Media Zone in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Launched in April 2017, this forward-looking programme empowers exceptional young environmentalists who show outstanding potential to drive positive change for our planet. The initiative is coordinated and hosted annually by UNEP, sponsored by Chris Kemper, UNEP’s Advocate for Partnerships, founder of cleantech company Palmetto, and co-founder of Planet A, a new YouTube channel to drive environmental awareness into action. To date, it has recognized 30 trailblazing environmental leaders between the ages of 18 and 30, including three awardees from the most recent 2025 cycle.
All events at the SDG Media Zone are live streamed on UN WebTV.
15:30 (GMT-4) - Programme begins; MC introduces Young Champions of the Earth programme
15:35 (GMT-4) - MC invites UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen to speak on importance of programme for UNEP
15:38 (GMT-4) - MC invites UNEP Advocate for Partnerships Mr Kemper to speak on motivation behind sponsoring programme
15:45 (GMT-4) - MC invites each Young Champion, one by one, to accept the award and give brief remarks and be seated on stage
Note: Video of each Young Champion plays before Winner comes to stage
15:57 (GMT-4) - Once seated, moderator poses one group questions and facilitates discussion
16:05 (GMT-4) - MC announces new GWA designation for Amber Valletta and photo taken
16:10 (GMT-4) - Session concludes with group photo
