In a proud moment for India, senior IAS officer Supriya Sahu has been honoured with the United Nations’ highest environmental award — Champions of the Earth 2025. The award, announced in Nairobi by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), recognises her as a global leader in climate action, conservation, and sustainable governance.
Sahu received the award in the “Inspiration and Action” category for her pioneering work in restoring ecosystems, combating plastic pollution, and promoting sustainable cooling innovations across Tamil Nadu. The honour places her among the world’s most influential environmental champions.
A Lifetime Devoted to Nature
Supriya Sahu has served as the Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests in Tamil Nadu for over four years. But her connection with nature began much earlier.
Growing up in a family that frequently travelled due to her father’s job, she developed a deep fascination for wildlife, particularly elephants. Her social media posts often celebrate the intelligence and resilience of these gentle giants.
Across her 30-year career in public service, Sahu has built a reputation for bold, people-centric environmental leadership. The turning point, she recalls, came during her tenure as District Collector in the Nilgiris, when she saw animals eating plastic waste. “I realised our planet was choking,” she said at the award ceremony, calling the experience “transformational.”
Why the UN Honoured Supriya Sahu
According to UNEP, Supriya Sahu was chosen for her groundbreaking leadership in subnational climate action and her ability to scale nature-based, science-driven solutions that safeguard both people and ecosystems.
Her work has:
- Expanded forest cover across Tamil Nadu
- Improved climate resilience for nearly 12 million people
- Created millions of green jobs
- Positioned Tamil Nadu as a global model for climate governance
UNEP praised her approach as a blend of low-tech, high-impact, community-driven innovation — a blueprint for environmental action in the Global South.
Supriya Sahu’s Key Initiatives and Environmental Contributions
1. Operation Blue Mountain (2000)
One of Sahu’s earliest and most influential initiatives, Operation Blue Mountain, was a campaign aimed at eliminating single-use plastic from the Nilgiris. At a time when plastic pollution barely received national attention, her efforts helped establish India’s early plastic-free models.
2. Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC)
Sahu spearheaded the launch of TNGCC — a first-of-its-kind, state-run not-for-profit organisation dedicated to coastal resilience, climate adaptation, and nature restoration projects.
3. Cool Roof Project for Green Schools
To address rising heat and cooling demands, she championed the Cool Roof Project across 200 government “green schools,” offering cost-effective, passive cooling solutions for students.
4. Massive Tree Plantation & Forest Expansion
Under her direction, Tamil Nadu planted over 100 million trees and created 65 new reserve forests. The state also doubled its mangrove cover and expanded protected wetlands from 1 to 20, strengthening biodiversity and flood resilience.
5. $60 Million Endangered Species Conservation Fund
Sahu played a key role in shaping a dedicated conservation fund to protect threatened species and restore their habitats — one of India’s largest state-led conservation investments.
6. Nature-First Urban Planning in Chennai
In Chennai, she continues to drive climate-sensitive urban development, focusing on wetlands, open spaces, and sustainable cooling strategies.
A Leader Driven by Communities
While accepting the UN honour, Sahu credited the award to the people who inspired her journey — especially villagers, volunteers, and children who supported ecosystem restoration projects.
“My inspiration comes from the people who stood by me to clean mangroves as their own… and from children who look at you with a sparkle in their eyes,” she said.
Her ability to mobilise communities, even in remote and climate-sensitive regions, remains one of her biggest strengths.