The 2011 Champions of the Earth Award!

The 2011 Champions of the Earth, the United Nations’ flagship environmental award, seeks to recognize some of the best and brightest individuals – those who take action through visionary thinking, unwavering dedication and action towards global green growth.

Champions of the Earth awards inspirational leaders, thinkers and – most importantly – doers, who have shown determination, resourcefulness and enduring commitment towards a better, cleaner and more prosperous future.

This year’s laureates were selected in the following categories:

Policy Leadership - President Felipe Calderon (Mexico) for commitment to lead international efforts to combat climate change

Science & Innovation - Dr. Olga Speranskaya (Russia) for successfully mobilizing civil society in eliminating obsolete pesticides and toxic chemicals in the former Soviet region.

Entrepreneurial Vision - BROAD Group / Mr. Zhang Yue (China) for business leadership on energy efficiency and sustainable production.

Inspiration & Action - Mr. Louis Palmer (Switzerland) for raising global awareness of the need for renewable energy and sustainable transport and Ms. Angélique Kidjo (Benin) for advocacy on social equity and women empowerment in support of sustainable development