In a vibrant ceremony held in Cape Town, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, declared the winners of the Earthshot Prize 2024, emphasizing his hope that the initiative would "change the world for good" over the next decade. This prestigious annual award recognizes innovative solutions aiming to tackle the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet.

During the celebration, Prince William urged global citizens to unite in the "movement for change," calling attention to the collective effort required to combat climate change and preserve our environment. Celebrities including supermodels Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow, alongside actress Nina Dobrev and artist Tobe Nwigwe, helped announce the award recipients who each received a notable £1 million (approximately $1.2 million) to further their impactful projects.

Winners Highlights

This year's impressive winners included the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, which has played a crucial role in saving the critically endangered Saiga antelope from extinction in Kazakhstan. Additionally, the Green Africa Youth Organization works diligently to improve waste management practices across the continent, while a Kenyan enterprise, Keep IT Cool, utilizes solar-powered refrigeration to minimize crop wastage. Other recipients include the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which aims to safeguard 30% of Earth’s ecosystems by 2030, and Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems, a US company developing technology to convert excess heat from industrial processes into electricity.

Hosted by Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter and prominent TV presenter Bonang Matheba, the event showcased a diverse range of finalists hailing from countries such as France, Indonesia, Nepal, and the UK. From an original pool of 2,500 applicants, just 15 finalists were selected, highlighting the standout contributions from these nations.

In a heartfelt moment during the ceremony, Prince William praised his wife, the Princess of Wales, who is currently recovering from cancer treatment, for her strength and resilience. Although she could not attend the event, she watched the proceedings from home, where she undoubtedly shared in her husband's enthusiasm for the evening.

Sustainable Commitment

A unique touch was introduced at this year’s ceremony, as all 2,000 attendees were encouraged to dress sustainably by wearing recycled or pre-owned outfits. The red carpet was replaced with a "green carpet," further emphasizing the event's commitment to environmental responsibility. Prince William himself donned a second-hand jacket and biodegradable shoes, setting an example for others to follow.

As dubbed by the media as the prince's "Super Bowl" moment, the awards garnered significant attention, broadcast live across Africa and streamed globally. In his closing remarks, Prince William expressed an optimistic vision for the future: "We want to make this the decade in which we transform the world for good, one solution at a time."

Earthshot Prize Vision

The Earthshot Prize, inspired by the ambitious Moonshot project of former US President John F. Kennedy, aims to propel innovative environmental solutions into the spotlight. This year, particular emphasis was placed on ideas emerging from Africa, a continent that, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, faces some of the harshest effects of climate change.

Prince William has long advocated for youth involvement in climate action, underscoring the potential of young innovators to lead the charge toward a sustainable future. "These are the game-changers, the innovators, the inventors who are going to make the world a better place for us," he remarked.

The urgency of this endeavor was underscored by a recent UN report warning of serious threats to the goals set by the Paris Agreement, urging immediate action to address the climate crisis. As the Earthshot Prize continues to spotlight and support groundbreaking initiatives worldwide, the call for collective global movement has never been more critical.