Community-Led Climate Action
Category Description
Recognises grassroots-led climate action initiatives that combine local knowledge, innovation, and inclusive participation to reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and improve livelihoods. Open to community groups, farmer collectives, SHGs, local bodies, NGOs, etc. driving sustainable, equitable solutions in biodiversity, clean energy, waste, agriculture, and natural resource management.
As climate change intensifies global challenges, grassroots communities worldwide are emerging as vital drivers of local climate solutions. By blending indigenous knowledge, innovation, and local resources, these initiatives reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and foster sustainable futures.
The Community-Led Climate Action Award recognises outstanding projects led and sustained by communities, grassroots organisations, youth groups, farmers’ groups, women’s self-help groups, or local government bodies. A key criterion is strong local ownership and active implementation by community members.
This award recognises initiatives that demonstrate measurable environmental and social impacts, including emission reductions, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, improved livelihoods, and enhanced social cohesion. Projects should combine traditional wisdom with innovative, scalable, or replicable approaches that leverage modern tools, nature-based solutions, and local resources to inspire wider adoption.
Entries must show active participation and leadership from marginalised, vulnerable, and indigenous groups, ensuring equitable benefits and empowerment. Collaborative efforts involving partnerships with local governments, NGOs, research institutions, or private sector entities are highly encouraged. Initiatives focused on community education, capacity building, and advocacy are also strongly recommended.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strategic integration of climate goals within their community initiatives
- Innovative, inclusive approaches grounded in local knowledge and resources
- Evidence of measurable or potential impact in mitigation or adaptation
- Engagement of diverse and vulnerable community groups in design and implementation
- Collaboration with outside organisations that strengthen outcomes and sustainability
The award includes five sub-categories reflecting the diversity of community-based climate action:
- Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Action: Protecting and restoring local ecosystems for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Green and Efficient Energy Adoption: Deploying renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions locally.
- Sustainable Waste Management: Reducing, recycling, and managing waste sustainably.
- Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Using climate-smart farming and natural resource conservation.
- Natural Resource Management: Equitable stewardship of forests, water, and land resources.
This award honours communities as essential innovators and custodians of climate resilience, championing culturally relevant, localised climate solutions with global significance.