Holding out for a climate change hero

4 Apr 2012

The Climate Change Leadership Awards, first established in South Africa in 2009, have now been extended to include all of Africa and have been rebranded as the Climate Hero Awards Africa. There are now only four categories and an overall winner, who gets R250 000 for a nominated climate beneficiary.

"The Awards were established with the realisation that tackling the climate change challenge cannot be confined to artificial borders but requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders in all societies, across the continent," explains Andile Ncontsa, CEO of Litha Communications, programme managers.

"As a continental awards, CHAA builds on the success climate change leadership, to finding and nurturing heroes that stand clear above the rest. There are very few heroes in this world today. We want to recognise and reward climate heroes across the African continent; large corporations; medium sized enterprises; smart low carbon cities and towns; and community based organisations making giant strides towards inclusive low carbon economic growth, reduced extreme weather impact and risk, green options for food security and a healthy continent," adds Jeunesse Park, founder, Food & Trees for Africa.

"The Blue Marble" is a famous photograph of the Earth taken on December 7, 1972 by the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft en route to the Moon at a distance of about 29,000 kilometers (18,000 statute miles). It shows Africa, Antarctica, and the Arabian Peninsula. (Image: NASA)

"Through our choice of heroes, we reveal our values, our commitments and what we stand for. We also reveal our views about those we perceive to be lacking in the world around us. Our heroes represent the best of ourselves."

One of a kind?

Thought to be the only initiative of its kind in Africa, the awards celebrate achievements that reflect enduring impact, innovation, long-term vision and leadership in responding to the challenges of climate change on the African continent.

An experienced group of founding partners who run these annual Awards are now inviting elders, funding partners and sponsors to join this heroic initiative.

Award categories

Category	Description
Large Business	Total annual turnover of more than R35 million, more than 100 employees
Small Medium Enterprises	Total annual turnover of less than R35 million, less than 100 employees
Cities/Towns	Smart low carbon cities & towns taking the leading role and providing the necessary capital, knowledge and technology to curb their large ecological footprints
Community (NGO, CBO, Individuals or Schools)	Pioneering community and non-government action in climate change and related sustainability issues
Climate Hero of the Year	Selected from the above, demonstrating extraordinary leadership, legacy, innovation, influence and enduring impact

The winner receives a R250 000 prize payable in three equal tranches towards a public interest activity, a good cause or a small medium enterprise that demonstrates tangible results in promoting an inclusive low carbon economy, green options for food security and/or a more sustainable continent. The judges have a final say on the nomination and selection of the beneficiary.

The criteria

In adjudicating the beneficiary of the Climate Hero of the Year, the judges will use the following criteria:

Innovative projects or ideas that demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit working for the benefit of the community whilst adopting a responsible approach
A project that shows initiative, innovative use of technology or an invention
Projects that provide a multiplier effect which increases investment into the local community
Projects that take a responsible approach to the people and environment in which they are operating

Entries open in September 2012 and close on 1 August 2013.

For more information, contact either Andile Ncontsa, mobile: +27 (0)82 377 3916, email az.oc.snoitacinummocahtil@elidna or Jeunesse Park, mobile: +27 (0)82 900 1738, email az.gro.seert@krapj.