The organization uses tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote communities. (FILE)
The United Nations:
An Indian organization that harnesses tourism and technology to help remote communities access solar power has won a prestigious UN award for its efforts to tackle climate change amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) is among the winners of the 2020 United Nations Global Climate Action Prize.
GHE is one of the first organizations in the world to use tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote communities.
The winners of the 2020 United Nations Global Climate Action Awards, announced on Tuesday, focus on the best examples of what people around the world are doing “to tackle climate change in a year that has thrown the darkness over so many “.
According to a statement on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website, GHE is one of the first companies in the world to use tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote communities, as recognized by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
In the Hindu Kush region, over 16 million people lack access to basic energy, mainly due to their geographic remoteness.
GHE conducts ‘impact expeditions’ to remote villages in the Himalayas and uses part of the shipping costs to finance the capital cost of solar micro-grid equipment, transport, installation and training at the village level.
The micro-grid infrastructure put in place by GHE is owned and operated by the community.
To date, GHE has solar-powered more than 131 villages in three regions of India, directly affecting the lives of over 60,000 villagers. Over 1,300 travelers from 60 different countries took part in these expeditions. Enabling livelihoods through homestay tourism has generated more than $ 114,000 in income for the villages, representing a 45% increase in annual household income, the statement said.
The UNFCCC said this year’s award-winning projects demonstrate the leadership of nations, businesses, investors, cities, regions and civil society at large on climate change. They range from the only carbon neutral hotel in the Caribbean, to the world‘s first platform entirely dedicated to green bonds, to the first all-female solar team in Lebanon.
Congratulating the winners of the 2020 UN Global Climate Action Awards, UN Secretary-General Ant ~ CHECK ~ nio Guterres said the winners provided tangible proof that climate action is happening in the world. whole world.
“It’s exciting to see these climate solutions, which reinforce my call for decisive leadership on climate change from governments, businesses and cities, and for a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us keep moving forward to build a more sustainable and sustainable environment. a fair future for all, ”he said.
United Nations Executive Secretary for Climate Change Patricia Espinosa said the past eight months had been a nightmare for many around the world.
“COVID-19 has changed lives, economies and the nature of business on every continent – from the largest cities to the smallest villages. It is the most urgent threat facing humanity today, but we cannot forget that climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity in the long term, ”said Espinosa. .
Espinosa said that the convergence of these two crises has opened a window of opportunity to move forward, to build safe, healthy, green and sustainable cities and communities.
“Nothing illustrates this better than the efforts of our award-winning activities in 2020 to tackle climate change.”
The announcement of the award is part of a larger effort to mobilize action and ambition as national governments work to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN Global Climate Action Awards are led by the Momentum for Change initiative at UN Climate Change. The projects are recognized as innovative solutions that not only address climate change, but also help advance many other sustainable development goals.
The 2020 winning activities were selected by an international advisory committee as part of the UN’s Momentum for Change initiative on climate change.
“It is essential that we pay tribute to all the players leading the way,” said Gabrielle Gin ~ CHECK ~ r, chair of the advisory committee.
“The recipients of the United Nations Global Climate Action Awards send a strong political signal to all nations, and through their leadership and creativity, we are seeing essential change.”
(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
