Indian organisation wins UN award for Efforts to combat climate change

NEW YORK: The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), an Indian organisation, has won the United Nations (UN) Award for its efforts to combat climate change amid COVID-19 pandemic. It leveraged tourism and technology to help the various communities to access the solar energy. It is one of the world’s first organisation to do so.

UN Global Climate Action Awards appreciates the best examples of people participation across globe in “combating the climate change in a year that has cast darkness upon so many.” These awards were announced on Tuesday, October 27.

According to a statement on United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website, GHE is one of the first outfit to bring solar energy to the remote communities as recognised by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the UN Worlds Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Due to geographical remoteness, around 16 million people in Hindukush region are devoid of basic energy.

Till date, GHE has provided solar energy in more than 131 villages in three regions of India affecting the lives of almost 60,000 villagers. UNFCCC said that this year’s award-winning project, range from Caribbean’s only carbon-neutral hotel to the world’s first platform fully dedicated to green bonds. It also included world’s first all-women solar team in Lebanon.

The UN Global Climate Action Awards are headed by the Momentum for Change Initiative at UN Climate Change. The projects are selected on the basis of not just addressing the climate change but also help in achieving the various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Antonio Guterres, Secretary General, UN congratulated the winners by saying that it provides tangible proof that climate action is underway around the world.