In 2020 during the 10th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas, an announcement of the 2nd Pacific Islands Environmental Leadership Awards (PIELA) will recognise and honour Pacific Islanders with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
The special PIELA ceremony will be held during the 10th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas hosted by New Caledonia from 19 – 24 April, 2020. The ceremony will recognise environmental champions across six categories.
“Although there are a number of global environment awards that the Pacific countries and territories are eligible for, this is the first ever Pacific region-focused award that aims to commemorate and promote the substantive work with lasting outcomes undertaken in the Pacific,” said SPREP Biodiversity Adviser Ms Amanda Wheatley, of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“This award is open to recognise anyone – people can nominate individuals, communities, non-governmental organisations, private enterprises and countries that work towards achieving an environmentally sustainable Pacific.”
SPREP established the PIELA in 2013 to reward and promote contributions towards achieving an environmentally sustainable Pacific. A new category has been added to the 2020 PIELA Awards cycle to recognise youth involved in environmental issues.
Past PIELA winners include Cook Island Voyaging Society president Mr. Ian Karika, the Nguna-Pele Marine and Land Protected Area Network in Vanuatu, and His Excellency President of Palau Tommy Remengesau Jr.
“We’re calling upon you all to nominate our Pacific Island people that work to make a difference in our environment,” said Ms Wheatley.
“Whether it be through conservation, environmental governance, climate change or waste management – let’s all step up to celebrate the work of our environment champions, all you need to do is make a nomination.”
Overall there are six PIELA award categories spanning excellence in environmental sustainability and conservation in the areas of national leadership, community leadership, media innovation and youth leadership. There is also the Champion of the Pacific Environment Award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award in Pacific Environmental Leadership.
All of these are now open for nominations until 30 November, 2019.
For more on the Awards please click here and to submit your nomination form click here.
For further information please email Ms Juney Ward, Ecosystem and Biodiversity Officer of SPREP at [email protected]