The UNEP’s 2025 Young Champions of the Earth recipients were revealed in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 23, 2025. Established in 2017, this annual award recognizes businesspeople under 30 who are creating groundbreaking solutions to some of the most pressing environmental problems facing the globe. The three winners this year—Jinali Mody from India, Joseph Nguthiru from Kenya, and Noemi Florea from the United States—were honored for their innovative efforts to address resource management, waste, and pollution. Each participant gains access to a global platform to scale their ideas, receives mentorship opportunities, and is awarded $20,000 in seed money.

Spotlight on the Winners

In addition to being exceptional for their age, the UNEP’s 2025 Young Champions of the Earth Award recipients’ ideas have had a revolutionary effect on ecosystems, communities, and industries.

• Jinali Mody’s Banofi Leather, which has long been criticized for using harmful chemicals and excessive water, represents a significant innovation in the global fashion industry. Her women-led business promotes sustainability and generates income in rural areas by turning agricultural waste into a leather alternative.
• Joseph Nguthiru tackles the encroachment of water hyacinth in Lake Naivasha and plastic pollution simultaneously using HyaPak. He promotes local livelihoods and enhances biodiversity by converting this invasive plant into biodegradable items.
• The Cycleau system, developed by Noemi Florea, offers a scalable solution for areas with limited water resources. Her invention reduces energy consumption compared to current systems and promotes circular water management by reusing domestic greywater for drinking purposes.

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UNEP’s Vision and the Future of the Award

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen commended the awardees for their courageous efforts to address the “triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.” The prize aims to foster ideas that can impact global sustainability paths in addition to providing recognition.

The program’s reach is increased with this year’s relaunch, which is in collaboration with Chris Kemper, an American cleantech entrepreneur and co-founder of Planet A. As part of the program, the winners also competed in the Planet A pitch competition on September 24, 2025, with a prize money of  $1 million seed investment and an additional $100,000 growth grant.

The prize, which has recognized 30 innovators globally since its inception, serves as a platform for young businesspeople to push the boundaries of green technology, circular economy models, and climate solutions. According to Kemper, the 2025 winners were chosen because of their “passion, drive, execution, and innovation,” which distinguishes them in a crowded sector.

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