ROME, JULY 24 – Stefano Boeri Architetti’s Green Obsession has been recognized by the United Nations with an SDG Action Award in the INSPIRE category.
The award ceremony for the prizes, often referred to as the Oscars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, took place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, in collaboration with various UN agencies of the Roman agri-food hub, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, and the broader United Nations system. The event coincided with the UN Food Systems Summit held in the Italian capital July 24-26.
Out of over 5,000 applications from 190 countries, covering the entire spectrum of the 17 SDGs, Green Obsession emerged as one of the two finalists in the INSPIRE category and secured the award for its vision and contribution. The initiative encourages a fresh perspective on cities, promotes global collaboration, and supports transformative policy actions. Green Obsession envisions sustainable cities and communities prioritizing good health and well-being while simultaneously taking bold climate action through its creative approach to urban planning, ecological connectivity, and urban forestry. This project aligns with SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action).
Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, commented, “The UN SDG Action Awards provide us with an opportunity to honor extraordinary individuals who inspire change and lead us all towards a fairer, more peaceful, and sustainable future.” The prestigious award celebrates outstanding initiatives that contribute significantly to the achievement of the SDGs and serve as a catalyst for positive change on a global scale.
The concept of “Green Obsession, Trees Towards Cities, Humans Towards Forests” was born with the aim of emphasizing the connection between nature and design and implementing urban afforestation principles. Stefano Boeri Architetti’s vision goes beyond individual projects, proposing a transformative urban forestry strategy and a fresh perspective on the future of global urban landscapes.
The philosophy of Green Obsession envisions a future where cities transform through rooftop gardens, community orchards, urban agriculture, and tree-lined streets. Enhancing connectivity between forests, gardens, and green areas and promoting the creation of ecological corridors are fundamental objectives of Green Obsession. This vision goes hand in hand with the pressing challenges of biodiversity and cohabitation between living species, integral to every ecological transition project aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change.
According to Stefano Boeri, the visionary architect behind Green Obsession, this philosophy “gathers 20 years of ideas and projects aimed at bringing living nature, particularly trees and forests, into our cities. We must introduce trees and plants wherever possible: in squares, courtyards, boulevards, rooftops, and building facades. The two significant challenges of biodiversity and coexistence among living species are the foundation of every ecological transition project and efforts to reduce the damage caused by climate change. Green Obsession is, therefore, a commitment to work and, at the same time, a sentiment that we wish to share with anyone who bravely and optimistically looks to the future of our cities and our species on planet Earth.”
The iconic representation of Green Obsession’s urban philosophy is the Vertical Forest in Milan. Wrapped in 21,000 plants, the complex has been chosen as the emblem of Sustainable Development Goal 11, highlighting how cities can become inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
The UN SDG Action Campaign, hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General aiming to unite people worldwide to take action on the SDGs and connect civil society, local governments, artists, cultural workers, media, and the private sector in advocating for the SDGs in homes, communities, and beyond. The campaign’s role is to MOBILIZE, INSPIRE, and CONNECT individuals and organizations from all sectors and geographical areas to take actions towards achieving the SDGs, exemplified by the annual UN SDG Action Awards.
