Prince William recently celebrated the winners of the Earthshot Prize in Rio de Janeiro. He described them as an “inspiration that gives us courage.” This award highlights innovative efforts to tackle environmental issues around the world.
Notable projects included an initiative to protect South America’s Atlantic Forest and efforts for a global treaty to conserve marine life. Celebrities like Cafu, Rebeca Andrade, and Sebastian Vettel presented the awards, which carried a grant of £1 million to help scale up these important projects.
Music added excitement to the evening, with performances by Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes and Brazilian star Anitta, bringing energy to the ceremony.
Launched in 2020, the Earthshot Prize aims for a decade of positive environmental change. Prince William shared that their goal is to tackle critical issues: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. This year, nearly 2,500 nominations came from 72 countries, emphasizing the global commitment to environmental solutions.
Winners of the Earthshot Prize 2025:
- Protect and Restore Nature: re.green (Brazil) focuses on making the Atlantic Forest financially sustainable.
- Clean Our Air: Bogotá (Colombia) has made significant strides with clean air policies.
- Revive Our Oceans: The High Seas Treaty, effective January 2026, aims to conserve marine ecosystems.
- Build a Waste-Free World: Lagos Fashion Week promotes sustainability in fashion.
- Fix Our Climate: Friendship (Bangladesh) supports vulnerable communities in health and disaster preparation.
Experts believe such awards can amplify crucial conversations about environmental finance and innovation. Thiago Picolo, CEO of re.green, indicated winning the prize benefits their mission and enhances discussions with stakeholders.
Earthshot Prize chair Christiana Figueres stated that these winners embody a growing global action. Their ambitious goals are underscored by a communal spirit that prioritizes collective action.
Earlier in the week, Prince William struck a personal note by visiting the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, recalling a similar moment with his mother, Diana. His five-day trip largely focused on climate issues, including a stern critique of illegal Amazon deforestation.
As global climate challenges mount, initiatives like the Earthshot Prize shine a light on the power of innovation and collective action toward a sustainable future. For deeper insights on environmental initiatives, check the United Nations Environment Programme.
