The best environmental defenders were honored at the National Centre RUSSIA
On December
10, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted a solemn award ceremony for the winners
of the Green Award — the largest national competition for projects
and achievements in environmental protection and proper waste management. The
event is supported by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry
of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia. The organizer of the project is
the public law company "Russian Environmental Operator" (REO), established in
2019 to develop a new waste management system in the country.
The
"Green Award" competition began in 2021 as part of a large-scale
environmental awareness campaign and is held annually. Its mission is to
recognize those who protect the environment, raise awareness about the
importance of caring for the planet, implement effective eco-practices, and
show leadership in ecological matters. Participating in this initiative offers an
opportunity to gain nationwide recognition for individuals, companies, and
projects, meet like-minded people, receive professional feedback on projects,
and obtain valuable insights from top industry experts.
Deputy
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev sent a welcoming
address to the participants of the ceremony. He highlighted that over the
years, the award has become a reliable platform for showcasing significant
projects aimed at improving the quality of life for the country's residents.
"Each
year, the number of participants in the award steadily increases, demonstrating
growing public engagement with environmental issues. This aligns with the goals
of the federal project 'Comprehensive System for Solid Municipal Waste
Management.' Over five years of its implementation, 280 new enterprises have
been established in this sector across our country. Today, these facilities
process nearly 55% of the total volume of solid household waste, with more than
13% being recycled using the most advanced technologies. Your contributions to
promoting conscious consumption have significantly contributed to this
achievement. I am confident that the Green Award ceremony will raise interest
in environmental issues, offer bright impressions to attendees and
participants, and serve as an excellent example of environmental
education," the address stated.
The
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation,
Alexander Kozlov, also delivered a welcoming speech to the ceremony's guests.
"The
most important thing in this field is, of course, to overcome indifference.
Because in everything related to ecology, indifference is unacceptable. Each of
you, by submitting your application in a specific category, has demonstrated
through your actions and behavior that you care and are ready to change the
world for the better. Regardless of the awards or places you achieve today,
what truly matters is your participation in this work, carrying this mission
forward, and making it an essential part of our lives and the lives of our
children," Alexander Kozlov emphasized.
The Green Award continues to grow and evolve, attracting more
participants each year. This year, it features thirteen categories, with a
prize fund of nine million rubles. The expert jury includes prominent public
and political figures, as well as specialists in waste management. Over 13,000
applications were submitted for the award — three times more than last year and
13 times more than during the project's inaugural year.
"You
know, I believe it’s not just about the number of applications but about the
growing number of people paying attention to environmental issues and actively
participating in initiatives that our society truly needs. This indicates that
enterprises, public organizations, educational institutions, and ordinary
citizens have started adopting a more conscious approach to consumption. A
shift in mentality is underway, and each year, believe me, evaluating the award
participants becomes more challenging. The projects are diverse and profound,
and their impact doesn’t end with the award ceremony. On the contrary, the
award serves as a catalyst for new achievements," emphasized Denis
Butsaev, Director General of the PLC REO.
A special
award from "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" for the best media project in the
field of environmental, social, and corporate governance was presented by
Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.
"Victories
in this extremely challenging field, I believe, would be impossible without
media coverage. This is also tremendous work, so I want to express my gratitude
to journalists. I also want to thank the Green Award team for
choosing our National Centre as the venue for this ceremony. It is very
important to us because the Green Award is becoming more and more
significant each year," noted Natalia Virtuozova.
The award
winners — creators and initiators of the most outstanding projects, ideas, and
achievements — will receive administrative, informational, and financial support
for their endeavors, public recognition, and the opportunity to implement their
initiatives within the framework of the Russian Environmental Week.
The
National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian
Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA
EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a
permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations,
and regions take part in the Centre’s work.
The
National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow.
The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.
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