Jan Kaliba from Czech Radio won the Climate Change Communication Award

For the sixth time, the Climate Change Communication Award for scientists and climate change experts, organised by the United Nations Information Centre in Prague and the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, has been presented. Jan Kaliba received the award for his intense engagement with climate change, which he approaches as a social, security, political, and everyday issue. This marks the first time the award has been given to a member of the journalistic community.

"Congratulations to Jan Kaliba, who has been awarded the Climate Change Communication Award. Jan Kaliba has long been one of our most respected editors, with the ability not only to reflect brilliantly on societal developments but also to bring other equally important topics, such as climate change, to the audience. Environmental issues and sustainability are among Czech Radio’s key priorities, which is why I am delighted that Jan Kaliba’s efforts and journalistic work have been so well recognised," said René Zavoral, Director General of Czech Radio.

Jan Kaliba studied Media Studies and Journalism at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. He has been working at Czech Radio since 2005, initially working for many years as a sports editor. Later, he spent six years as Czech Radio’s correspondent in the United States, where he covered numerous significant events on the North American continent. During his time in the USA, he reported on how the country managed the COVID-19 crisis, provided on-the-ground coverage of the Capitol attack by Trump supporters, documented the situation of refugees at the Mexican-American border, and conducted interviews with prominent figures.

He has twice won first prize in the International Reportage category at the Prix Bohemia Radio Festival. His current work focuses on explaining the impacts of climate change, exploring solutions, and providing context where it is often missing. Additionally, he actively examines how climate journalism is conducted by major media outlets worldwide and studies how they organise their coverage of climate-related issues.

The recipient of the Climate Change Communication Award is selected by a nomination committee comprising representatives from major Czech institutions focusing on climate change. Membership in the committee is honorary and personal. The award aims to raise awareness and promote a reliable, factual, and knowledge-based discussion on one of the world’s most pressing threats. It also seeks to bridge opinion differences and foster a culture of critical debate across various disciplines.