Champions of the Earth award 2026
Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/03/2026 - 15/04/2026
All Day
Categories
Entries are open until 15 April 2026 for the 2026 Champions of the Earth award – the UN’s highest environmental honour – organised by UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This year it is focusing on leaders at the forefront of caring for the ocean, an ecosystem essential to life on Earth that is increasingly under strain.
For more than two decades, the Champions of the Earth awards have recognized trailblazers whose work has shaped environmental policy and practice around the world. The 2026 edition seeks nominations of individuals, organizations and governments driving efforts to protect and restore ocean health—an area critical to climate stability, biodiversity, food security, and sustainable economic development.
The Ocean: Essential for Life
The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the planet, absorbs over 90 percent of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and takes in roughly one-third of carbon dioxide released by human activity. It sustains a blue economy worth more than US$1.5 trillion, as well as the lives, cultures, and food systems of millions around the world.
Yet only 15 percent of coastlines remain ecologically intact. Pollution, habitat loss, sediment runoff, and untreated wastewater are eroding marine ecosystems, driving biodiversity loss, and threatening communities that rely on the sea. Limited data and fragmented governance make coordinated action even more urgent.
The 2026 Champions of the Earth awards will honour leaders whose work delivers solutions to restore marine and coastal ecosystems, reduce climate risks, and create sustainable livelihoods.
Categories and Timeline
Nominations are open from 5 March – 15 April 2026. Individuals, organizations, and government entities may be nominated under the categories of Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation. Winners will be announced in late 2026.