Mongolia”s President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, Brazilian banker Fabio Barbosa and renewable energy entrepreneur Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber are among the six winners of the United Nations” Champions of the Earth 2012 award, given to those whose actions and leadership have had a positive impact on the environment.

Swiss aeronaut Dr. Bertrand Piccard, Dutch scientist Dr. Sander van der Leeuw and Kenyan Maasai conservationist Samson Parashina also were recognized as Champions of the Earth 2012.

UN Environment Programme Executive Director Achim Steiner presented the LG Electronics-sponsored awards at a ceremony today in Rio, attended by UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Gisele Bundchen, Brazil”s Minister of the Environment Izabella Teixeira and Rio+20 Secretary-General Sha Zukang.

Steiner said the awards are meant to inspire attendees at Rio+20, the UN”s conference on Sustainable Development taking place in Rio later this month, 20 years after the landmark UN Earth Summit that set many of today”s environmental programs in motion.

“As the world heads to Brazil for Rio+20 later this month, these six individuals, deservedly named as Champions, demonstrate that committed, concrete action can have a transformative effect on countries, communities and businesses,” said Steiner.

The winners have demonstrated commitment to building a sustainable future for the planet through active green policies, groundbreaking clean energy developments and community work that has helped conserve critical ecosystems, he said.

The 2012 Champions of the Earth are:

Policy Leadership: President Tsakhia Elbegdorj of Mongolia for delivering on promises to put the environment at the forefront of policies.

Entrepreneurial Vision: Fabio Barbosa of Brazil and Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber of the United Arab Emirates for their business efforts in sustainability and promoting renewable energy and clean technology.

Inspiration and Action: Dr. Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland for raising global awareness of the possibilities of renewable energy-driven transport

Science and Innovation: Dr. Sander Van der Leeuw of The Netherlands for his research, which applies lessons learned from history to understand why humanity is not facing up to the long-term issue of environmental change.

Special Category – Grassroots Initiatives: Samson Parashina of Kenya for leading community efforts to conserve Kenya”s Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem.

UN Champions of the Earth 2012, from left: Sander Van der Leeuw, Fabio Barbosa, Samson Parashina, President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Bertrand Piccard

“On the eve of Rio+20, the Champions of Earth 2012 should be an inspiration for world leaders to take the bold decisions needed on behalf of seven billion people,” Steiner said. “In other words, to put in place the pathways that will scale-up and accelerate a Green Economy while reforming the international institutions charged with realizing sustainable development and poverty eradication in order to deliver the Future We Want.”

President Elbegdorj, who has prioritized green policies and environmental awareness for youth, said his formative years as a Mongolian herdsman living close to nature helped shape his sustainable outlook.

“This is a great honor, not only for me but for our nation,” said Elbegdorj. “As President, I have a green policy. It has two pillars: one is our people, the other is our environment.”

“One day I will give up my Presidency,” he said, “but I will continue as a Champion of the Earth.”