SPDA initiative is finalist in SDG Action Awards

To recognize organizations and individuals who, through their creativity and innovation, are working to achieve a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world, the United Nations annually awards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Action Awards, and this year the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA) has been selected as one of the finalists among 5 thousand applications and nominations from 190 countries.

The SPDA is competing in the "Impact" category with Story of a Spill, a comprehensive campaign that addresses from several fronts the environmental disaster caused by the spill of some 12 thousand barrels of oil in the Peruvian sea. The event occurred in January 2022, and since then the SPDA has worked in an interdisciplinary manner to expose the effects, raise public awareness, demand reparations for those affected by the Repsol company, and influence public policies.

"SPDA has played a central role in establishing legal frameworks to protect natural areas, ecotourism, land use planning, and ecosystems conservation. Their efforts influenced public agendas, resulting in the passing of a new Law on the Declaration of Environmental Emergencies. Their work has reached over 300,000 people, whilst empowering the affected communities, and strengthening national alliances", states the United Nations on the award presentation page.

In this regard, Isabel Calle, Executive Director of SPDA, said that "SPDA has responded with a multi-level strategy that combines analysis, audiovisual documentation and advocacy for environmental justice. This is the organic work of our organization, which celebrates its 38th anniversary this year, working for the Peru we all deserve".

In addition to SPDA, other nominees included Plant-for-the-Planet, a global movement that empowers youth and organizations to restore forest ecosystems and fight for climate justice, and Gjenge Makers, a Kenyan company that has successfully recycled more than 200 tons of plastic waste into building materials.

The other categories of the award are Creativity and Individual Recognition, with three finalists in each category. The winners will be announced at the end of October this year in the city of Rome, Italy, in the presence of the nominees, who will be offered creative workshops, skills development sessions and networking events. The ceremony will be broadcast on UN WebTV and on television and radio in partnership with RAI, Italy's national public broadcaster, which will provide artistic, editorial and production support.