UNEP has joined partners to reward countries and organisations at EXPO Milano for innovatively demonstrating actions to reduce their environmental impact.

Awards for the ‘Towards a Sustainable Expo’ competition came under the categories of design and materials, green procurement, food and beverages and other initiatives - reflecting the comprehensive nature of the sustainability challenge.

The contest “fits well in this landmark year for global sustainability agenda,” said the Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Europe Jan Dusik. Together with the Italian Minister of the Environment Gian Luca Galletti and EXPO 2015 Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Sala, Mr Dusik sat on the jury and opened the award ceremony for the event on 1 October.

“2015 is a landmark year for global efforts to get on the path of sustainable development,” noted Mr Dusik at the ceremony, referring to milestones reached or upcoming in Addis, New York and Paris. While sustainable development and combating climate change is a task for all, “governments and businesses have to lead the way and set an example,” he underlined.

The Chilean pavilion, which received the most awards during the ceremony, was designed to be easily disassembled and re-used once the EXPO is over. By being built from food, the pavilion reminds visitors that forest area is actually increasing in Chile unlike at global level.

Also among the winners were the Austrian, Brazilian and Monégasque pavilions under the design and materials category.

Almost half of Austria’s exhibition area is covered by trees, providing a cool temperature without need for air conditioning. Several sustainable tools including a green roof meanwhile form part of the Brazilian pavilion, while the materials for Monaco’s pavilion were carefully chosen - including certified conifer wood.

“When the EXPO concludes at the end of the month, I would wish that the premises and structures that we can all admire here continue to live sustainably, and that the focus of EXPO on sustainability will plant seeds of living in harmony with the planet in all its visitors,” said Mr Dusik, congratulating all competition winners and the EXPO organisers for their initiative.

A full list of winners can be found by clicking here.
For more information contact isabelle.valentiny@unep.org.