The much-loved British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has been officially recognized as a “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The natural history icon is just the fifth person to receive the award for lifetime achievement. This award is given to him for his dedication to research, documentation, and advocacy for the protection of nature and its restoration.
Sir David Attenborough is well known for his innovative educational television programs, especially the nine-part Life series forming the Life collection. His well-known documentaries include The Green Planet and A Plastic Ocean. He was knighted twice by Queen Elizabeth II in 1985 and again in 2020. He has won 3 Emmy Awards and 8 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards.
Other Winners of 2021 Champions of the Earth Awards:
| Category | Winners | Country |
| Policy Leadership | Mia Mottley (Prime Minister, Barbados) | Barbados |
| Inspiration And Action | Sea Women of Melanesia | Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands |
| Science And Innovation | Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) | Uganda |
| Enterpreneurial Vision | Maria Kolesnikova | Kyrgyz Republic |