Tamil Nadu IAS Officer Supriya Sahu Honoured With 2025 UN Champions of the Earth Award for Climate Leadership
Nairobi/Chennai, Dec 12: Tamil Nadu IAS officer Supriya Sahu has been awarded the 2025 UN Champions of the Earth award for Inspiration and Action, the United Nations’ highest environmental recognition. The honour, presented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, acknowledges Sahu’s decades-long contribution to plastics reduction, ecosystem restoration, wildlife protection and climate-resilient governance in India.
Recognised for Pioneering Climate Action
According to UNEP, Sahu was selected for her transformative leadership in subnational climate action and for advancing nature-based solutions across Tamil Nadu. Her work has played a central role in improving climate resilience for an estimated 12 million people, while expanding forest cover, restoring ecosystems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
UNEP noted that Sahu’s initiatives have supported millions of green jobs and positioned Tamil Nadu as a model for science-driven, community-led climate strategies.
Who Is Supriya Sahu?
Sahu currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Tamil Nadu. Her passion for nature began in childhood as she travelled across India for her father’s postings. Over her 30-year administrative career, she has worked extensively in biodiversity conservation and environmental governance.
Her admiration for elephants—often featured on her social media—reflects her belief that wildlife embodies resilience and leadership. Her experiences in Nilgiris, where she witnessed animals consuming plastic waste, shaped much of her later policy focus.
Her Key Initiatives
• Operation Blue Mountain (2000): One of India’s earliest campaigns against single-use plastic.
• Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company: A pioneering not-for-profit focused on coastal resilience and climate preparedness.
• Projects addressing urban heat, sustainable cooling, and rising energy demand.
These initiatives combine community engagement, governance reforms and innovative technology to safeguard vulnerable landscapes.
Our Thoughts — TheTrendingPeople.com
Supriya Sahu’s recognition at the global stage highlights the growing importance of regional climate leadership. Her work demonstrates how community participation, scientific planning and administrative commitment can drive large-scale environmental transformation. As India navigates increasing ecological challenges, leaders like Sahu remind us that climate action is not just policy—it is a vision for long-term resilience and sustainable futures. Her achievements underline the power of local solutions in shaping global environmental progress.