UNEP Young Champions of the Earth 2025

Current Context: On 23 Sept 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the Young Champions of the Earth 2025 at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, in partnership with Planet A.

• The award recognises innovators under 30 addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
• Jinali Mody (India) won for Banofi Leather, producing eco‑friendly leather from banana crop waste.
• Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya) was honoured for HyaPak, converting invasive water hyacinth into biodegradable packaging.
• Noemi Florea (United States of America – USA) received the award for Cycleau, a greywater reuse system providing safe drinking water.
• Each winner receives US$20,000 (United States Dollar) seed funding, mentorship, and global recognition, with a chance to compete for a US$100,000 growth grant and US$1 million seed investment.

Question:

Q.1 Who among the following from India won the Young Champions of the Earth 2025 award announced by UNEP?
a) Jinali Mody
b) Vidyut Mohan
c) Gitanjali Rao
d) Ramesh Balasubramaniam

Answer: a) Jinali Mody from India was recognised for Banofi Leather, an initiative that makes eco-friendly leather from banana crop waste.