Click here to watch Covestro CEO Patrick Thomas talk "Young Champions of the Earth"

The United Nations Environment Programme has launched “Young Champions of the Earth,” a new initiative that aims to celebrate and support individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 with outstanding ideas to save the environment. The initiative is sponsored by Covestro, one of the world’s leading polymer companies and a strong proponent of innovation for environmental sustainability.

With “Young Champions of the Earth,” UN Environment and Covestro are creating a digital platform to serve as an innovation hub and unique online space for brainstorming and knowledge sharing by a global community of young people to address sustainability challenges, build capacities and find solutions to environmental challenges.

“We are delighted to support UN Environment on this excellent initiative,” said Covestro CEO Patrick Thomas. “Sustainable thinking and acting are critical in preserving our planet and improving the safety and quality of life for millions of people. Covestro seeks to contribute to this goal with products and technologies that benefit society and reduce the impact on the environment. This is the basis of our vision ‘To make the world a brighter place’ – and Young Champions invites the enthusiastic participation of all who care for our future.”

“Young Champions of the Earth” provides a unique global platform for young people to showcase innovative thinking and positive contributions to the health of the planet. The initiative aims to balance negative discourse on the environment and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

Each year, six young people – one from each of UN Environment’s global regions – will be named “Young Champions of the Earth.” These winners will each receive $15,000 in seed funding as well as intensive training and tailored mentoring to help bring their big environmental ideas to life.

UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim said: “As I’ve seen time and again, when young people are given opportunities and support, they can be powerful catalysts for change. It is our hope that this initiative will inspire thousands of young people around the world to develop innovative ways to tackle the environmental issues that matter to them.”

The winners will be selected by a global jury that includes Solheim and Thomas. They will be invited to attend the “Champions of the Earth” Gala Dinner, to be held in Nairobi in December 2017.

The application period opens on April 22 and will close on June 18. Find more information at http://www.unep.org/youngchampions.

About Covestro LLC:

Covestro LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America and is part of the global Covestro business with 2016 sales of EUR 11.9 billion. Covestro manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical and sports and leisure industries. The Covestro group has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 15,600 people at the end of 2016.

Find more information at www.covestro.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available on the Covestro website at www.covestro.com. Covestro assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. 

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Covestro LLC

Covestro LLC

Covestro LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America and is part of the global Covestro business. Covestro manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical and sports and leisure industries. i³ (ignite, imagine, innovate) is Covestro LLC’s companywide corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that aims to spark curiosity, to envision what could be and to help create it. Built on the three pillars of philanthropy (i³ Give), employee volunteerism (i³ Engage) and STEM education (i³ STEM), i³ seeks to create sustainable and lasting impacts.

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