Winning photo from 2023: Nikki Sandino Victoriano
The 2024 Transformative Urban Coalitions (TUC) Photo Competition, concluded with overwhelming global participation, showcasing the beauty and challenges of urban sustainability. With submissions from more than 757 photographers hailing from 53 different countries, the competition highlighted how individuals of all ages are engaging with and transforming their urban environments. The age range of participants varied widely, with the youngest photographer being just 10 years old, while the eldest participant was 75 years old, illustrating that the dialogue around sustainable cities transcends generations. TUC is a project under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and led by UNU-EHS. This is the 3rd edition of the photo contest organized with the Paris Committee on Capacity-building from UN Climate Change.
This year's theme centred around transforming our cities through the power of community, inviting participants to capture stories that explore how cities are being reshaped to better meet the needs of people and the planet. From revitalized urban parks and clean solar energy projects to sustainability education and circular economy, the submissions beautifully depict the ongoing effort to balance urbanization and capacity-building, education and ambitious climate action. The competition saw not only stunning photographs but also profound stories behind the images, giving us a glimpse into how individuals worldwide perceive sustainability and transformation in their urban context. The information will be used by UNU-EHS researchers to develop transformative communications research on perceptions of transformation in urban areas through art and photography.
The Esteemed Jury
This year's jury includes a diverse panel of experts in sustainability, communication and visual arts. They will be selecting the three winners in addition to the photographs that will be exhibited at the 6th Capacity-building Hub at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Shen Xiaomeng is the Vice-Rector in Europe at UNU and Director at UNU-EHS and has years of experience in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. She contributes her vast knowledge to foster sustainable development through a well-being and mental health lens.
- Alejandro Kilpatrick brings over two decades of experience in environmental protection and sustainable development policy. As Team Leader on climate finance and capacity-building at the UNFCCC Secretariat, he specializes in mobilizing resources for climate adaptation and has worked extensively within the United Nations system on a global scale.
- Alejandra Ramos Galves is an architect and environmental scientist whose work focuses on flood risk perception, community resilience and using photography as a medium for analysing urban transformation.
- H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma, Co-Chair of the Paris Committee on Capacity-Building, is known for her global advocacy on climate justice and capacity-building, particularly in developing nations. She actively works to promote sustainable development and support marginalized communities.
- Mariana Estrada, Communications Officer for UN Climate Change, has a decade of experience advocating for Indigenous rights, women's empowerment and climate justice. Her background in media and communications positions her as a vital voice in amplifying sustainable development efforts.
- Dickon Bonvik-Stone is an experienced marketing and communications expert focusing on the climate crisis. With advanced degrees in sustainability and social change, he supports international organizations and mentors startups in the ocean and climate space. He also hosts the podcast "Communicating Climate Change," where he shares practical insights to inspire positive environmental action.
- Arianna Flores Corral is currently serving as a Communications Analyst at UNU-EHS. With a background in environmental management and technology and a keen interest in transformative communication and advancing science communication, Arianna is dedicated to bridging the gap between complex scientific concepts and accessible, impactful messaging.
- Rodrigo Jardon, a professional photographer from Mexico, has earned international recognition for his work, including distinctions from the Sony World Photography Awards. His projects explore the emotional connection between people and their environments, shedding light on the human impact on urban spaces.
- Molly Ferrill, a National Geographic Explorer, is dedicated to documenting the evolving relationship between people and nature. Her work, which spans photography and filmmaking, emphasizes compassion for animals and the environment through compelling visual storytelling.
- Eduardo Carvalho, a Brazilian exhibition curator, uses culture and design to foster discussions about climate change. He played a key role in conceptualizing the Brazil Climate Action Hub at the UN Climate Conference and is committed to climate education through innovative projects.
Upcoming Announcement of Winners
In the coming weeks, the jury will carefully review all the submitted photos to select not only the three winning entries who will earn cash prizes, but also the best photographs which will be exhibited at COP29. The winners will be announced on social media by the end of September 2024, continuing to celebrate and amplify the voices that champion urban sustainability worldwide. Stay tuned for this exciting conclusion!
