NEW DELHI: United Nations Environment has bestowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French president Emmanuel Macron with the 2018 ‘Champion of the Earth’ award for their leadership in promotion of solar energy.

“UN Environment is recognising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his bold environmental leadership on the global stage. Under Modi’s leadership, India pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics in the country by 2022.

Prime Minister Modi also supports and champions the International Solar Alliance, a global partnership to scale up solar energy,” read the organisation’s citation for its highest environment honour.

The UN citation for Macron read, “President of France Emmanuel Macron has put climate action at the top of his foreign agenda. He is recognised for championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting international cooperation on environmental action, and for his leadership on the Global Pact for the Environment.”

Cochin International Airport Limited has also been recognised for becoming the first airport in the world to run its entire operations on solar energy. “Cochin International Airport is the world’s first solar power airport. 

Its entire operations are powered by solar energy. The biggest and busiest airport of Kerala state in India, and the fourth busiest airport in India in terms of international traffic, Cochin International Airport became the world’s first fully solar powered airport in 2015 — a project pioneered by managing director Vattavayalil Joseph Kurian,” read the UN citation.

The honours have been announced less than a week before the first international solar alliance assembly in New Delhi, which will be attended by the UN Secretary General.