Starting today, organizations, businesses, universities, governments and others taking bold leadership on climate change can nominate their work for a special 10th anniversary edition of the UN Global Climate Action Awards.

The annual award programme, run by United Nations Climate Change since 2011, recognizes the world's most innovative, scalable and replicable examples of action to tackle climate change.

This year's award will showcase people and projects taking bold and effective climate action in the areas of climate neutrality, innovative climate finance and climate leadership.

The 2021 award winners will be celebrated at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in November - the most important climate conference since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the award programme and its efforts to demonstrate that climate action is underway around the world.
 

"The world has entered a climate emergency, which demands that we increase action to address climate change at all levels as quickly as possible," said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa. "More leadership and direction from national governments and people in all areas of society is urgently needed. The UN Global Climate Action Awards are an opportunity to recognize leaders who are not only taking such action, but providing an inspiring example for other governments, businesses, cities and communities to follow."

Help Spread the Word

Help us find the world's best climate solutions by sharing our call for applications. Find materials available for download as well as suggested social media posts here. Questions? Feel free to contact us at [email protected].

How to Apply

Who can apply?
Organizations, cities, businesses, governments and other key players that are taking concrete action on climate change can apply to have their projects recognized by UN Climate Change.

Why should you apply?
If your project is selected, you'll receive a wide range of benefits, including:

• Attendance to the UN Climate Change Conference in Scotland (COP 26)*;
• Access to policy makers and potential funders during the conference;
• Public recognition by the UN Climate Change;
• Digital assets such as professional photos and videos;
• A dedicated page about your project on our website.

*Winning projects under the Financing for Climate Friendly Investment category will need to be self-funded to the conference and provide their own video and photo materials. 

What are the categories?

The 2021 award will recognize climate action that is already achieving real results in three categories:

• Climate Neutral Now: recognizing efforts by individuals, companies and governments that are achieving real results in transitioning to climate neutrality.
•  Climate Leaders: recognizing transformational efforts by governments at any level (national, provincial, state, city, town) that are moving the needle on climate change.
•  Financing for Climate Friendly Investment: recognizing successful financial innovations for adaptation and climate mitigation.

How do you apply?

Applications for the 2021 UN Global Climate Action Award are being accepted from now until 30 April 2021 at: https://momentum.unfccc.int

To start an application, please register in our application portal. It will take at least an hour to complete an application but you can save your progress at any time and work on it at your convenience. Completed applications must be submitted before midnight GMT on 30 April 2021.