Prince William will travel to Brazil next month for the Earthshot Prize ceremony, which celebrates environmental innovations. This is the first time the awards will be held in Latin America.
Awards Ceremony Details
The ceremony will take place at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Tomorrow on November 5. The Earthshot Prize, established by Prince William in 2020, awards £1 million to each of the five winners for their innovative environmental projects.
This year, there are nearly 2,500 nominees from 72 countries. The winners will be selected by Prince William and the Earthshot Prize Council, which includes notable figures like actress Cate Blanchett and Queen Rania of Jordan.
Notable Finalists and Their Impact
This year’s finalists include diverse projects, such as Barbados’ efforts to become fossil-free by 2030 and Guangzhou’s electrified public transport system. Also recognized is Sydney’s Quay Quarter Tower, promoted as the world’s first fully “upcycled skyscraper.”
The only British finalist is “Matter,” a Bristol-based company that has developed a washing machine filter designed to reduce microplastics in oceans. Founder Adam Root expressed that winning the Earthshot Prize would be akin to winning an Olympic gold medal.
Significance of the Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize is central to Prince William’s public work, aiming to build a global coalition for environmental action. Jason Knauf, the new CEO of the Earthshot Prize, noted the unprecedented collaboration among philanthropists, corporations, and leaders.
This year’s events precede the COP Climate Conference in Belem, taking place near the Amazon Rainforest, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.
