UNEP Opens Nominations for Champions of the Earth 2010

Prestigious Awards Will Carry US$40,000 Prize in Each Category ..............

Nominations are now open for the 6th cycle of UNEP's Champions of the Earth, with awards in four categories: Policy Leadership, Science & Innovation, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Inspiration & Action. For the 2010 edition, UNEP has partnered with LG Electronics to recognize each Champion with a cash prize of US$40,000 in each category.

The Champions of the Earth award was created by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2004 to honour individuals and groups who have made a significant and recognized contribution, regionally or beyond, to the protection and sustainable management of the Earth's environment and natural resources.

Previous laureates rewarded for their creativity, vision and leadership include globally recognized personalities such as Nobel Prize laureate Al Gore, former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev and world-renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand - as well as outspoken pioneers, from biomimicry scientist Janine Benyus to rainforest advocate Kevin Conrad.

The award ceremony will be hosted in Seoul alongside the annual Business for the Environment (B4E) conference, the biggest environmental gathering of leaders from business, government, NGOs and the media.

Nominations will be accepted until 31 October 2009 - UNEP encourages entries from individuals and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to environmental awareness.

Fill out your nomination form here

Notes to Editors:

About Champions of the Earth:

The UNEP Champions of the Earth is an international environment award established by UNEP in 2004. The annual prize rewards individuals from around the globe who have made a significant and recognized contribution globally, regionally and beyond in the categories of Policy Leadership, Science and Innovation, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Inspiration and Action. Candidates are judged by a senior UNEP panel with input from UNEP's regional offices.

Beginning in 2010, the Champions of the Earth Awards will come with a monetary prize of US$40,000 for each of the four category winners. In addition to the especially commissioned trophy created by a selected international artist, the cash prize serves as an incentive and resource for growing and replicating the laureates' work and their impact on the communities they serve.

For more information visit: www.unep.org/champions

About the B4E Summit:

B4E is the biggest annual gathering of leaders from business, government, NGOs and the media, which aims to foster dialogue and business-driven action towards a global green economy. The summit is co-hosted by UNEP, the UN Global Compact, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), and will address topics such as resource efficiency, renewable energies, new business models and climate policy and strategies. It is planned to be the world's first summit powered entirely on renewable energy.

For more information visit: www.b4esummit.com