Global temperatures are projected to surpass 1.5C (2.7F) within the next decade, underscoring the urgency of the climate crisis.

Adopting a fresh approach to protecting planetary health would deliver stronger economies, fewer deaths and less poverty, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) insisted on Tuesday, as it released itsmost comprehensive assessmentof environmental pressures facing the world.

On the scheduled final day of COP30 in Belm, tense negotiations are stretching into Friday afternoon as divisions persist. Amid the ongoing talks, one message is cutting through the noise: there is no climate justice without gender equality.

As the world moves to slow climate change and create a more sustainable future, theUN Environment Programme (UNEP)named five new climate visionaries on Wednesday as its2025 Champions of the Earththe UN's highest environmental honour.

These five extraordinary leaders, who work on issues ranging from climate justice to sustainable cooling and forest protection, show that bold action can drive real change for people and planet.

As the global impacts of the climate crisis intensify, innovation and leadership across every sector of society have never been more essential,said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

Young students demanding climate justice, subnational governments and architects leading on sustainable cooling and smart building design, research institutes slowing deforestation and passionate individuals driving methane emissions reductions this years Champions of the Earth show the kind of leadership that will inspire the world to face down the challenge of climate change.

This year, the laureates are tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate justice, methane emissions, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and forest conversation, according to the UNs environment agency.

UNEPs 2025 Champions of the Earth are:

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change

When Cynthia Houniuhi addressed theInternational Court of Justicein The Hague a year ago, she spoke plainly: climate change is devastating Pacific Island nations like her home, the Solomon Islands.

Through her youth-led NGO, which secured a landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion affirming states legal duties to prevent climate harm and uphold human rights, she is helping to reshape global climate law and empower vulnerable nations.

UNEPChampions of the Earth Award winner Cynthia Houniuhi, a climate justice advocate from the Solomon Islands who co-founded and led Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change.

Supriya Sahu,Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu

Indian environmentalist Ms. Sahu is redefining how communities adapt to extreme heat restoring nature to cool cities, redesigning schools for safety, and promoting climate-smart infrastructure.

Her sustainable cooling and restoration initiatives have created 2.5 million green jobs, expanded forest cover, and improved resilience for 12 million people.

UNEP/Florian FussstetterChampions of the Earth Award winner Supriya Sahu is recognized for her groundbreaking leadership in subnational climate action, restoring ecosystems and scaling sustainable cooling innovations across Tamil Nadu.

Mariam Issoufou,Principal and Founder, Mariam Issoufou Architects, Niger/France

By grounding her architecture in local materials and cultural heritage, Ms. Issoufou is redefining sustainable, climate-resilient buildings across the Sahel and inspiring a new generation of designers shaping Africas built environment.

Through projects like the Hikma Community Complex in Niger, she pioneers passive cooling techniques that keep buildings up to 10C cooler without air conditioning.

UNEP/Duncan MooreChampions of the Earth Award winner Mariam Issoufou is a Nigerien architect whose work redefines the relationship between contemporary design and cultural heritage.

Imazon,Brazil

Imazon has developed AI deforestation prediction models that inform policies and help law enforcement protect the Amazon rainforest, while promoting sustainable economic growth.

By combining science and AI-driven geospatial tools to curb deforestation, Imazons non-profit research institute has strengthened forest governance, supported thousands of legal cases, and revealed the scale of illegal deforestation, driving systemic change in the Amazon basin.

UNEP/Thomas MendelChampions of the Earth Award winner Cynthia Houniuhi is awarded for pioneering forest monitoring systems that combine cutting-edge geospatial science and AI to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.

Manfredi Caltagirone(posthumous)

Mr. Caltagirone has dedicated his career to one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Guided by his vision for open, reliable, and actionable data, he has driven efforts to turn knowledge into climate action.

As the former head of UNEPs International Methane Emissions Observatory, he advanced transparency and science-based policy on methane emissions, helping shape the EUs first regulation on methane emissions and shaping global energy policy.

UNEPManfredi Caltagirone, posthumously honoured with the Award for his visionary leadership in founding the International Methane Emissions Observatory and advancing global action on methane.UNEPChampions of the Earth Award winner Cynthia Houniuhi, a climate justice advocate from the Solomon Islands who co-founded and led Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change.UNEP/Florian FussstetterChampions of the Earth Award winner Supriya Sahu is recognized for her groundbreaking leadership in subnational climate action, restoring ecosystems and scaling sustainable cooling innovations across Tamil Nadu.UNEP/Duncan MooreChampions of the Earth Award winner Mariam Issoufou is a Nigerien architect whose work redefines the relationship between contemporary design and cultural heritage.UNEP/Thomas MendelChampions of the Earth Award winner Cynthia Houniuhi is awarded for pioneering forest monitoring systems that combine cutting-edge geospatial science and AI to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.UNEPManfredi Caltagirone, posthumously honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his visionary leadership in founding the International Methane Emissions Observatory and advancing global action on methane.