Applications are expected from a wide range of key players, such as organisations, cities, industries and governments, and it is hoped that the winning initiatives, called ‘Lighthouse Activities’, will prove inspirational – lighting the way ahead by highlighting ‘some of the most innovative, scalable and replicable examples’ of combating climate change. The key fields are: action by and for the urban poor, action that fosters women’s leadership, action that unlocks climate finance and action that uses ICT-enabled solutions.

‘This is a critical year for the future of our planet,’ said Nick Nuttall, UNFCCC Spokesperson and Head of Communications and Outreach. ‘Showcasing the great leadership of people around the world taking action on climate change can inspire national governments to be more ambitious in their own policies and actions, so that together the world can secure a new, universal climate change agreement in Paris later this year.’

The winning Lighthouse Activities will be chosen by the Momentum for Change Advisory Panel, an international group of senior experts from various fields. Last years winners included: building climate-friendly homes in Sub-Saharan Africa, building micro-finance institutions in Latin America and empowering women with green jobs and low-carbon technologies in remote rural Indonesian communities.

Applications for the 2015 Momentum for Change Awards are being accepted until 24 April, and the winning activities will be announced in November 2015 before being celebrated in a series of special events throughout December at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris.