We support and work with global youth networks and young environmental leaders to increase their leadership in interventions addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The Tide Turners Plastic Challenge was developed as part of UNEP's Beat Plastic Pollution campaign with a focus on building the capacities of young people to tackle plastic pollution.
Designed as an engaging, multi-level challenge, it builds young people's skills and environmental awareness, awarding badges and certificates to recognize their leadership. Since launching in 2018, more than 950,000 young people have been engaged in the challenge across 61 countries. But this isn't just any challenge – it's a dynamic, fun-filled quest designed to inspire young minds.
Young Champions of the Earth
The Young Champions of the Earth award is the UN Environment Programme’s leading initiative to engage youth in tackling the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) coordinates and hosts the annual awards. Since its inception in 2017, Young Champions has recognized 28 environmental trailblazers who are between 18 and 30 years old.
We are Nature: Youth Biodiversity Challenge
The We Are Nature: Youth Biodiversity Challenge has been developed by UNEP in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) and Greenpop. This initiative is designed to inspire global youth, including Indigenous youth and youth from local communities, to take leadership roles in biodiversity action. The initiative aligns with and will contribute to the fulfilment of the Global Biodiversity Framework’s (GBF) aim to address biodiversity loss by 2030, toward reaching the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.
