THREE finalists have been selected for a global environment prize backed by a Scottish university.
The top nominees for St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2022 were selected by a global panel of experts representing conservation, sustainable development, engineering, economics and the University of St Andrews.
The prize is an environmental initiative led by St Andrews University that recognises global projects which make significant contributions to environmental issues and concerns with a focus on sustainability, conservation, biodiversity and community development.
The winner will receive $100,000 and the runner-up will be given $25,000.
The first finalist is Avani Society, made up of Himalayan women who aim to heal the earth with plant- based colours and organic detergents that reduce soil and water pollution, provide income to small farmers, regenerate wastelands and increase forest cover and biodiversity.
The second is Mision Tiburon, a community-based Costa Rican project to protect and restore blue carbon sinks in the hammerhead shark sanctuary.
The final nominee is Health in Harmony, which protects tropical rainforests by investing in healthcare, education and regenerative agriculture for Indigenous peoples and local rainforest communities as a lever to stop deforestation.
Dr Hayaatun Sillem, chair of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment trustees, said: “A year on from COP26, the climate emergency continues to be at the forefront of our daily lives as the world struggles with a global energy crisis, climate migration, and cost of living pressures.
“It is therefore more crucial than ever that we invest in global projects developing sustainable solutions that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
“The quality and range of the finalists for this year’s St Andrew’s Prize for the Environment continue to impress, showing there is a real passion to tackle the climate emergency at grassroots levels.
“Each of these projects is delivering meaningful change in the communities in which they work. I very much look forward to meeting the finalists and learning more about the impact and difference they are making in the world.”
The finalists will present their projects to a panel of judges and students at St Andrews University on November 22 and the winner will be announced later that evening.
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