The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with American cleantech CEO Chris Kemper, has announced the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth. Three environmental entrepreneurs from India, Kenya, and the United States have been recognized for their innovative contributions toward advancing a circular economy and addressing urgent environmental challenges. Their solutions tackle issues such as wastewater treatment, access to clean water, plastic pollution, and the development of sustainable materials. Winners will benefit from seed funding, mentoring, communications support, and a global platform to scale their impact.
Launched in 2017, the Young Champions program was re-launched this year with renewed support from Chris Kemper, UNEP’s Advocate for Partnerships and CEO of U.S. climate tech company Palmetto. Through The Christopher Kemper Foundation, Mr. Kemper also co-founded Planet A, a YouTube channel designed to raise awareness and inspire environmental action. As part of the program, each winner received US$20,000 and will also compete in the first-ever Planet A pitch competition for additional funding opportunities, including a US$100,000 growth grant and a potential US$1 million seed investment.
This year’s winners bring diverse and impactful solutions. From India, Jinali Mody founded Banofi Leather, a women-led enterprise producing sustainable leather alternatives made from banana crop waste, reducing water consumption, pollution, and emissions. From Kenya, Joseph Nguthiru created HyaPak, which transforms invasive water hyacinth into biodegradable packaging and seedling wrappers, offering a sustainable alternative to plastics. From the United States, Noemi Florea developed Cycleau, a water reuse system that turns greywater into drinking water using significantly less energy than conventional methods, addressing water scarcity in underserved communities.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen praised the winners for their role in addressing the global environmental crisis, commending their innovative solutions to protect present and future generations. Since its inception, the Young Champions of the Earth initiative has recognized 30 young leaders under 30 for their efforts to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste. Chris Kemper highlighted the competitiveness of this year’s selection process, noting the passion and innovation of over 5,000 applicants worldwide, and congratulated the three winners for standing out as leaders of change.
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