Prince William has voiced his ambition for the Earthshot Prize to be a force for positive change in environmental conservation over the coming decade. Speaking at the award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, the Prince of Wales urged people worldwide to join in a collective “movement for change” to protect the planet. The annual event, now in its fourth year, celebrates and funds innovative solutions to some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The 2024 Earthshot Prize Ceremony: Honoring Environmental Pioneers
This year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony was hosted by Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter and South African TV personality Bonang Matheba. The high-profile event saw models Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow, actor Nina Dobrev, and artist Tobe Nwigwe announce the winners across the five categories. Each winner received a £1 million ($1.2 million) grant to scale their project, aimed at helping “repair” the planet.
Among the recipients were groundbreaking initiatives including one dedicated to saving the critically endangered Saiga antelope from extinction and a Kenyan company using solar-powered refrigeration to prevent crop spoilage.
Five Categories of Change: The Earth shot Goals
The Earthshot Prize, inspired by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s “moonshot” initiative, is structured around five ambitious goals, known as Earthshots:
- Protect and Restore Nature
- Clean Our Air
- Revive Our Oceans
- Build a Waste-Free World
- Fix Our Climate
These goals represent areas where the world urgently needs action to ensure a sustainable future. Out of 2,500 initial applicants, fifteen finalists from nations including France, Kenya, Indonesia, the UK, and Nepal were selected to compete for the top prizes.
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Full List of 2024 Earthshot Prize Winners
The winners of the 2024 Earthshot Prize include:
- Protect and Restore Nature: Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative—This project, based in Kazakhstan, has made strides in saving the critically endangered Saiga antelope from extinction.
- Clean Our Air: Green Africa Youth Organization – A nonprofit empowering communities across Africa to adopt sustainable waste management practices and build circular waste management systems.
- Revive Our Oceans: High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People – An international alliance representing over 119 countries committed to protecting 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030.
- Build a Waste-Free World: Keep IT Cool. This Kenya-based organization utilizes solar-powered refrigeration to reduce post-harvest waste, benefiting local farmers by extending the shelf-life of harvested crops.
- Fix Our Climate: Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems – An American company focused on converting industrial excess heat into electricity, thereby reducing energy waste in industries like steel and cement manufacturing.
A Celebration of Sustainable Fashion and Conscious Choices
In line with the Earthshot Prize’s sustainability values, the 2,000 event attendees were encouraged to wear outfits made from recycled materials or previously worn items. Global celebrities and prominent figures walked down a unique “green carpet,” replacing the traditional red, to emphasize the importance of eco-friendly choices.
Prince William himself embraced this sustainable ethos, wearing a vintage Prince of Wales check jacket and biodegradable shoes made from plastic-free materials. The event dubbed the prince’s “Super Bowl” moment, was broadcast live across Africa and streamed online, showcasing the Earthshot Prize’s worldwide reach and impact.
Prince William’s Closing Remarks: A Decade of Transformation and Hope
During his closing remarks, Prince William shared an optimistic vision for the future, expressing hope for a world “rich in possibility, in hope, and optimism.” He reiterated the prize’s mission to inspire real solutions to planetary issues, aiming to make this decade one of global transformation.
“Our goal is to find solutions to repair our planet and provide real hope for the future,” he stated.
Acknowledging the Princess of Wales’ Absence
The Prince also paid tribute to his wife, the Princess of Wales, who could not attend the ceremony as she was recuperating after cancer treatment. He praised her strength and expressed her desire for the event’s success, noting she would be watching from their home in Windsor.
The Earthshot Prize: A Catalyst for Change
The Earthshot Prize continues to attract global attention as it supports visionary projects dedicated to ecological balance, conservation, and innovation. By awarding £1 million grants to each winner, the initiative empowers organizations around the world to tackle pressing environmental issues at scale. With its wide reach and focus on tangible solutions, the Earthshot Prize is paving the way toward a more sustainable and hopeful future for our planet.
In a world increasingly aware of climate challenges, initiatives like the Earthshot Prize embody a movement for change, proving that with creativity, collaboration, and commitment, we can create a sustainable future for generations to come.
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