Celebrating London Eco Champions at LECA 2024

This Tuesday, the 19th November, The London Clean Air Initiative hosted the fourth annual London Eco Champion Awards at the stunning Drake & Morgan in King's Cross. With nearly 200 attendees, this event marked a significant milestone - not only in its expansion to include participants from across London but also in its filming for the upcoming Amazon documentary Groundswell.

As the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE, and Zoe Stern from Google addressed the audience, the room buzzed with inspiration. The event celebrated individuals, schools, and community leaders making exceptional strides toward a sustainable future. The winners and runners-up, across four categories, embodied the grassroots action needed to tackle environmental challenges.

London Eco Champion Award winners and finalists alongside Deputy Mayor Mete Coban MBE and LCAI Co-Founder Valeria Pensabene

2024 Winners and Finalists:

Mini Warriors (Ages 5-11)

• Winner: Oscar Keane

  Oscar inspired his peers by leading participation in The Big Plastic Count, raising awareness about plastic consumption.

• 2nd Place: Tadgh Doyle

  Tadgh's hands-on efforts at Sacred Heart RC Primary School promoted biodiversity and sustainable gardening.

• 3rd Place: Mathilda Avery

  Mathilda encouraged her classmates and teachers to conserve energy and support eco-awareness initiatives.

  
  

Junior Heroes (Ages 12-17)

• Winners: Henry Li & Alessandro Bocos

  Co-leaders of the High School Clean Investment Coalition, these teens spearheaded international fossil fuel divestment efforts.

• 2nd Place: Gabriela Page

  Gabriela campaigned for electric buses to reduce emissions in her school's local area.

• 3rd Place: Amelia Matia & Hasset Abiye

  Amelia and Hasset's eco-gardening projects transformed their school grounds into a thriving rewilded habitat.

Local Leaders (Ages 18+)

• Winner: Gus Alston

  As CEO of Stonegrove Community Trust, Gus led impactful initiatives, including the largest charity-owned solar panel installation.

• 2nd Place: Lee Crocker

  A school caretaker for over a decade, Lee worked tirelessly to replant trees and support eco-campaigns.

• 3rd Place: Charlotte Claydon

  Charlotte's 'Bike Bus Camden' initiative encouraged families to embrace sustainable travel, improving air quality and mental health.

Super Schools

• Winner: Millfield Community School

  Millfield's Eco Champs led rooftop gardening, cycling initiatives, and outdoor learning programs to foster environmental stewardship.

• 2nd Place: Kingsbury High School

  Kingsbury's Eco-Club tackled recycling and launched a host of green initiatives since its inception in 2022.

• 3rd Place: Dallington School

  Dallington's Eco Warriors created an Eco Code, organised an Eco Fashion Show, and led creative sustainability projects.

A Growing Movement

Since its inception as a small Camden initiative, the London Eco Champion Awards have grown into a city-wide platform for grassroots climate action. This year's event, hosted by The London Clean Air Initiative's Community Director, Valeria Pensabene, celebrated the inspiring grassroots efforts of Londoners committed to a sustainable future.

Georgina McGivern, Co-Founder of The London Clean Air Initiative, remarked on the growth of the event:

''What started as a small celebration of eco-conscious citizens in Camden has blossomed into a city-wide movement that now includes all of London. Each year, we've seen the impact of these awards grow, and to have this year's ceremony filmed for a global audience on Amazon Prime is a testament to the incredible dedication of London eco-champions. We hope that showcasing these inspiring stories will encourage even more people to join the fight for a sustainable future.''

What's Next?

The 2024 awards may have concluded, but the ripple effect of the finalists' initiatives will continue to impact their communities. Groundswell, set to release next year, will further amplify their voices, showcasing the power of grassroots movement in the fight for climate justice.

Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and supporters who made the 2024 London Eco Champions Awards a remarkable celebration of environmental action. Together, they inspire us all to take bold steps toward a greener future.