The much-anticipated announcement of the winners for this year’s Earthshot Prize took place in Brazil’s vibrant Rio de Janeiro. The ceremony, attended by numerous celebrities and dignitaries, including pop stars Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes, was a showcase of hope and innovation for the environment.
Among the award winners are projects like re.green, which focuses on the financial viability of protecting Brazil's Atlantic Forest, and a significant global ocean initiative known as the High Seas Treaty, set to begin in January 2026.
Each of the winners will be granted £1 million to enhance their existing projects that aim to repair the climate, fulfilling Prince William's vision of inspiring transformative action within the next decade.
During the ceremony, Prince William shared his admiration for the recipients, noting, “These winners are inspiring proof that progress is possible,” and emphasized the collective commitment needed to tackle pressing environmental challenges directly.
The Earthshot Prize has five primary goals: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. This initiative, inspired by John F. Kennedy's Moonshot project, aims to encourage innovative solutions to climate issues.
This year's ceremony further showcased public figures' dedication to climate change, with guests including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. The event marked a milestone in the Earthshot endeavor, as Prince William focuses on its implementation over the next decade.
In a poignant moment, he reflected on his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, during a visit to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, emphasizing the historical significance of conservation efforts.
As global concerns surrounding climate change intensify, the Earthshot Prize aims to usher in a wave of innovations that can lead to real and lasting changes for a sustainable future.
