The Prince of Wales is taking his mission to save the planet to one of the world's most vibrant cities. Prince William will travel to Rio de Janeiro later this year to host the prestigious Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, shining a global spotlight on innovative environmental solutions.
This marks a significant moment for the royal's environmental legacy, as the Earthshot Prize makes its first appearance in South America. The choice of Rio de Janeiro as host city underscores the global nature of the climate crisis and the importance of engaging diverse nations in the search for solutions.
What is the Earthshot Prize?
Founded by Prince William in 2020, the Earthshot Prize represents one of the most ambitious environmental initiatives in recent history. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's "Moonshot" program, the prize aims to discover and scale the most promising solutions to Earth's greatest environmental challenges.
Each year, five winners receive £1 million to accelerate their groundbreaking work across five key categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate.
Why Rio de Janeiro Matters
Brazil's rich biodiversity and crucial environmental role make it the perfect backdrop for this year's ceremony. From the Amazon rainforest to its extensive coastlines, the country represents both the challenges and opportunities in the fight against climate change.
The upcoming ceremony promises to be more than just an awards show - it's designed as a catalyst for change, bringing together innovators, business leaders, and environmental advocates to accelerate progress toward a sustainable future.
A Growing Royal Legacy
Prince William has increasingly positioned environmental conservation as a central pillar of his royal work. The Earthshot Prize represents his most significant contribution to date, building on decades of royal environmental advocacy that began with his father, King Charles III, and his grandfather, Prince Philip.
The Rio ceremony continues the prize's tradition of rotating through global cities, following previous events in Singapore and Boston. This strategic approach helps amplify the message that environmental solutions know no borders and require global cooperation.
As the world watches Rio prepare for this prestigious event, anticipation builds for which environmental innovators will join the growing roster of Earthshot laureates - and how their work might just change the world.
