Aviation pioneer and solar energy champion to be designated UNEP Goodwill Ambassador

Dec 4

Written by: ROE News
12/4/2015 7:23 AM 

Swiss adventurer and environmentalist Bertrand Piccard – the first man to complete a non-stop balloon flight around the world and co-inventor of the world’s only solar airplane capable of flying day and night – is to be designated as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador.

In his new capacity, Mr. Piccard will advocate for the adoption of renewable energies and clean technologies during his historic attempt at flying around the globe in an aircraft propelled solely by solar power.

The designation will take place on Monday 7 December at 19h00 at the Musée de’l Homme in Paris at the backdrop of a unique new exhibition on renewable energy entitled ‘We Have the Power, We Are the Change,’  produced world-renowned Magnum Photographers. 

The event will be attended by Mr Piccard himself and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, while the presence of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is to be confirmed. 

Guests will be treated to dishes made from food saved from being wasted by the Food Recovery Organization – Feedback. They will also be invited to a Smog Tasting by the World Health Organisation, which will prepare meringue desserts exposed to the pollution levels of different cities to highlight the human health implications of poor air quality. 

To cover the event and for interviews, please contact:

In Paris:

Catherine Beltrandi, +33 686139543, catherine.beltrandi@unep.org

At UNEP HQ: 

Michal Szymanski, +254 715876185, michal.szymanski@unep.org

Aviation pioneer and solar energy champion to be designated UNEP Goodwill Ambassador