Dr Richard Munang wins Environment Champion Award.

Dr Richard Munang was awarded during the 21st edition of The Guardian Post Achievement Award. 
The yearly event was organised by Cameroon’s leading English language daily, The Guardian Post. Itbtook place in Ebolowa, South Region, last February 17.
The initiative, according to the President of the Award Jury who doubles as Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Herlad Tribune newspaper, Richard Nde Lajong, recognises individuals and institutions with outstanding contributions to nation building.
Nde Lajong told guests at the event that Dr Munang was voted by over 17,000 readers of The Guardian Post newspaper, spread across the globe. 
He said Dr Munang emerged winner in the category “for his innovative strategies that contribute to environmental conservation, clean energy, and economic growth across Cameroon, Africa and the world”.  
Shortly after he was announced winner of the prestigious award, Dr Munang, who is the current head of the Global Environment Monitoring Systems, GEMS, at the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, took to his Facebook page to acknowledge the recognition.
In a post accompanied by photos of the award, Dr Munang wrote: “Humbled to have been named The 2023 Environmental Champion by The Guardian Post. This strengthens our resolve to continue advocating responsible environmental stewardship and inspires further innovative strategies for a sustainable future”.

Why Dr Munang stands out
Since graduating with a PhD in Environmental Change Policy from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, in 2008, the Cameroonian has become an authoritative voice on issues of the environment. 
His unwavering intellectual and passionate submissions as well as advocacy for a saner environment and safer planet, put him in a class of his own.
With his numerous research works, Dr Munang has taken the onslaught for environmental protection and the fight against Climate Change as a humanitarian engagement. 
He does not only address climate change issues but also ensures food security, health and economic growth.
His contributions to issues of the environment, which span across the globe, including Cameroon, have made significant strides in community empowerment, policy influence and energy transformation.
Dr Munang has engaged over 3 million youth and women, equipping them with skills and opportunities to drive sustainable development of Climate Change action. 
He has been a key advocate for sustainable development, agriculture-led and clean energy-powered economies both at the national and regional levels. 
Dr Munang equally focuses on the transition to green energy; emphasising the deployment of social technologies for agricultural production and preservation; leveraging Africa’s abundance. 
His innovative volunteerism and advocacy for clean energy and sustainable development policies continue to inspire and mobilise actions towards a greener and more inclusive Africa.
Dr Munang has also taken initiatives that have facilitated economic empowerment at the community level in DR Congo. 
Here, young agripreneurs in cassava value chain were able to generate significant income, showcasing the potential for sustainable practices to empower economic development. 
He has taken energy transformation initiatives that aim at reducing post-harvest losses and increase the value addition of agricultural products, and contributing to economic empowerment and sustainable industrialization.
As Head of the Global United Nations Monitoring Systems, Dr Munang steers a data-centric global environmental agenda, ensuring that nations are well equipped to mitigate environmental risks as the world works towards a greener and more sustainable planet.

About the award winner
The native of Jikfuin in Belo, Boyo Division of the North West Region, has a rich professional career in the environment sector, spanning over 15 years.
His PhD from Nottingham University as well as an Executive Certificate in “Climate Change and Energy: Policy Making For The Long Term” from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, USA, opened him doors. 
He worked as a Research Fellow at Trinity College, University of Dublin and as a Lecturer at Nottingham University before joining the United Nations.
Dr Munang served as Deputy Regional Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya. He has made history by being the first African to become head of the Global United Nations Monitoring Systems. 
He has won several awards, including the Prestigious Global “Your Nottingham Alumni Award 2023” for his relentless pursuit of environmental sustainability solutions. 
He was recognised in 2023 as one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders in Sustainability. Dr Munang is a writer and author of the book “Making Africa work through the power of Innovative Volunteerism”. 
He has co-authored chapters in numerous publications on the environment, climate change and development policies. 
As a lecturer, Dr Munang counts 500 distinguished publications to his credit with Nottingham University and in reputable international journals.