Tamil Nadu’s Supriya Sahu Wins UN’s Top Environmental Award for Climate Leadership

An Indian civil servant has received the United Nations’ highest environmental honor. Supriya Sahu, a senior IAS officer from Tamil Nadu, was presented with the 2025 UN Champions of the Earth award. The ceremony was held in Nairobi this week. She won in the Inspiration and Action category.

This prestigious award recognizes her decades of pioneering work on critical issues. Her efforts span plastics pollution, wildlife conservation, and large-scale ecosystem restoration. According to a UN Environment Programme press release, her leadership has made Tamil Nadu a model for climate resilience.

Decades of Public Service Focused on Nature

Supriya Sahu has served for over thirty years. She currently is Tamil Nadu’s Additional Chief Secretary for Environment and Forests. Her connection to nature began in childhood during family travels across India.

She developed a deep fascination with India’s biodiversity. She also saw the severe damage caused by human activity. A pivotal moment came while serving as District Collector in the Nilgiris. She saw animals eating plastic garbage, realizing the planet was choking.

Award Recognizes Tangible Impact and Innovation

The UN cited her groundbreaking leadership in subnational climate action. She was honored for restoring ecosystems and scaling sustainable cooling innovations. Her work uses both high-tech and nature-based solutions.

These initiatives protect vulnerable communities and cut emissions. They have also created millions of green jobs. Her projects improved resilience for an estimated 12 million people across the state. According to the UN, her approach showcases integrated, science-based governance.

Her key initiatives are vast and impactful. In 2000, she launched “Operation Blue Mountain” to ban single-use plastic in the Nilgiris. This was long before plastic pollution became a global headline.

Recently, she introduced the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company for coastal resilience. She also led the massive planting of over 100 million trees. Under her watch, Tamil Nadu doubled its mangrove cover and established 65 new reserve forests.

The 2025 UN Champions of the Earth award highlights how local action can drive global change. Supriya Sahu’s work proves that determined leadership can heal ecosystems and protect communities simultaneously.

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What is the UN Champions of the Earth award?

It is the United Nations’ highest environmental honor. It celebrates individuals and organizations for transformative impact on the environment and outstanding leadership.

Why did Supriya Sahu win this award?

She won for her long-term leadership on plastics, wildlife conservation, and climate resilience in Tamil Nadu. The UN specifically highlighted her work on ecosystem restoration and sustainable cooling.

What is the ‘Cool Roof Project’ she led?

It is a passive cooling initiative implemented in 200 public ‘green schools’ in Tamil Nadu. The project helps reduce urban heat and rising cooling demand in a sustainable way.

How has her work affected Tamil Nadu’s environment?

Her leadership led to over 100 million trees planted and 65 new reserve forests. The state has also doubled its mangrove cover and expanded its number of wetlands significantly.

What was ‘Operation Blue Mountain’?

It was a campaign Sahu launched in 2000 to eliminate single-use plastic in the Nilgiris district. This early action addressed plastic pollution before it was widely recognized as a crisis.

What does Sahu say inspired her work?

She cites local villagers who worked to clean mangroves and children who look up with hope. She also draws inspiration from elephants, noting they teach resilience and family bonding.