Supriya Sahu, a senior IAS officer from Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth honour for 2025, the organisation’s highest recognition for environmental leadership. The award celebrates individuals who translate commitment into large-scale, measurable environmental impact, and Sahu’s work across nearly three decades has consistently demonstrated that blend of conviction and deliverables.
As Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Sahu has been a driving force behind the state’s major ecological and climate resilience efforts. Her passion for environmental protection began early, shaped by witnessing the effects of plastic waste on wildlife and the growing environmental vulnerabilities faced by rural and urban communities. These experiences guided her commitment to building solutions that are both scientifically grounded and socially inclusive.
Under her leadership, Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in restoring degraded ecosystems. The state has expanded its forest cover, regenerated mangrove belts, revived wetlands, and created multiple new reserve forests. Large-scale planting initiatives, coastal restoration, and conservation programmes have together created green jobs and strengthened climate resilience for millions of people.
One of her standout contributions is the Cool Roof initiative, which uses low-cost, passive cooling methods in schools and public buildings, offering relief to children and communities facing rising temperatures. Sahu also spearheaded the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company, a dedicated vehicle for long-term climate planning, research, and execution.
The UN recognition reflects the depth and diversity of her contribution: combating plastic pollution, strengthening biodiversity protection, creating sustainable cooling ecosystems, and positioning communities as partners in environmental governance. Her efforts have helped embed climate thinking into everyday public administration in the state.
For Tamil Nadu, this award is seen as a milestone that validates its growing leadership in climate action. Sahu, in her response, emphasised that the honour belongs to the thousands of field workers, volunteers, and local communities who have supported and sustained these initiatives on the ground.
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