The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with climate tech CEO Chris Kemper, has announced the winners of the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth award. This year’s innovators hail from India, Kenya, and the United States, each driving impactful solutions to urgent environmental challenges such as wastewater treatment, plastic pollution, and sustainable materials.
About the Young Champions of the Earth Programme
Since its launch in 2017, the Young Champions of the Earth programme has celebrated young environmental leaders under 30 who present transformative ideas to protect the planet. The 2025 edition received renewed backing from Chris Kemper, founder and CEO of Palmetto, a US-based climate technology company, amplifying the programme’s reach and impact.
Meet the 2025 Winners
- Jinali Mody (India): Founder of Banofi Leather, which produces eco-friendly leather alternatives using banana crop waste, significantly reducing water use and carbon emissions in the fashion industry.
- Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya): Founder of HyaPak, converting invasive water hyacinth into biodegradable packaging that replaces single-use plastics and benefits soil health.
- Noemi Florea (United States): Founder of Cycleau, innovating compact water reuse systems that transform greywater into drinking water for marginalized communities.
Support and Future Prospects
Each winner received US$20,000 in seed funding, with opportunities to compete for additional grants and investments through the Planet A pitch competition. UNEP and Planet A provide ongoing mentorship, global visibility, and digital storytelling support to help scale their innovations.
Partnerships Driving Environmental Innovation
The collaboration between UNEP and private sector leaders like Chris Kemper highlights the power of partnerships in accelerating youth-led environmental action. Through funding, mentorship, and digital platforms, these alliances foster transformative solutions critical to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution worldwide.
