William announces Earthshot winners in Cape Town

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has expressed his determination to make his environmental Earthshot Prize a driving force for global change over the next decade, as he celebrated the winners of this year’s awards in Cape Town, South Africa. The prince closed the ceremony by urging people worldwide to join the “movement for change” in a bid to tackle some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The Earthshot Prize, now in its fourth year, is a £1 million ($1.2 million) award given to five projects from around the world that demonstrate groundbreaking solutions to environmental problems. This year’s ceremony featured a star-studded lineup, with models Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow, actor Nina Dobrev, and artist Tobe Nwigwe presenting the awards across five categories. The event was hosted by Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter and TV presenter Bonang Matheba.

The Earthshot Prize supports global efforts to repair and protect the planet, with each winner receiving £1 million to scale their innovative projects. The five categories reflect critical environmental challenges: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix Our Climate.

This year’s winners, selected from a pool of 15 finalists, were chosen from more than 2,500 applicants. Among the recipients were initiatives that have made significant strides in preserving endangered species and combating food waste. Notable winners included the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, which helped save the critically endangered Saiga antelope in Kazakhstan, and Keep IT Cool, a Kenyan company that uses solar-powered refrigeration to reduce food waste by preserving harvested crops.

The 2024 Earthshot Prize Winners

1. Protect and Restore Nature: Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative (Kazakhstan) – This project helped prevent the extinction of the Saiga antelope, a species at critical risk.
2. Clean Our Air: Green Africa Youth Organization (Africa) – Focused on behavioral change and building circular waste management systems across Africa to reduce pollution.
3. Revive Our Oceans: High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (Global) – An alliance of 119 countries working toward the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.
4. Build a Waste-Free World: Keep IT Cool (Kenya) – This innovative company uses solar-powered fridges to prevent food spoilage, benefiting local farmers and reducing food waste.
5. Fix Our Climate: Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems (USA) – A company developing technology to convert excess heat produced during industrial processes, like steel and cement manufacturing, into electricity.

Prince William emphasized that the Earthshot Prize was not only about celebrating achievements but also about inspiring people to take action for the planet’s future. “Our aim was to find solutions to repair our planet and provide real hope for the future,” he said. He called the next decade a critical time for global environmental change, and expressed confidence that solutions are already in place. “We want to make this the decade in which we transform the world for good, one solution at a time, from the ground up.”

The awards were held before an audience of 2,000 attendees, all of whom were encouraged to wear sustainable clothing, whether made from recycled materials or reused garments. The event itself featured a “green carpet” as a symbol of the sustainable approach.

The Role of Africa in Environmental Innovation

A significant focus of this year’s Earthshot Prize was on African-led initiatives, with more than 400 African projects nominated for the awards. Although Africa contributes the least to global warming, it is one of the continents most vulnerable to climate change. Prince William has long championed Africa’s role in environmental solutions, and he highlighted the importance of empowering young people in the fight against climate change.

“Africa has always held a special place in my heart,” the prince said, referring to his connection to the continent from his youth and his engagement with local communities. “These are the game-changers, the innovators, and the inventors who are going to make the world a better place for us in the future.”

The Earthshot Prize, first established in 2021, was inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s “Moonshot” program, which sought to land a man on the Moon. The Earthshot Prize aims to encourage the same sense of urgency and optimism in addressing climate and environmental issues.

In closing, Prince William remained hopeful despite the political challenges surrounding climate action. “Everyone wants some hope and some optimism,” he said. “Earthshot comes with urgent optimism.”

This year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, broadcast live across Africa and streamed online, highlighted the global commitment to preserving the planet, while also showcasing the remarkable innovations that are already making a difference. The awards continue to foster a sense of optimism that change is possible, with the future of the planet in the hands of the innovators and leaders of today.