Jinali Modi of India received the UNEP Young Champions of the Earth Award, 2025 / ਭਾਰਤ ਦੀ ਜਿਨਾਲੀ ਮੋਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਯੂਐੱਨਈਪੀ ਯੰਗ ਚੈਂਪੀਅਨਸ ਆਵ੍ ਦ ਅਰਥ ਅਵਾਰਡ, 2025 ਮਿਲਿਆ
The award, announced in September 2025, recognizes her innovative work with Banofi Leather, a startup that creates sustainable, plant-based leather from banana crop waste.
Mody is the founder and CEO of Banofi Leather, which produces eco-friendly leather from upcycled banana stems.
The process provides a sustainable alternative to conventional animal and plastic-based leather, which reduces water usage, toxic waste, and carbon emissions.
Mody is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree for 2025 and won the $1 million Hult Prize in 2023.
The Young Champions of the Earth prize is UNEP’s flagship initiative on youth engagement.