Prince William launches Earthshot Prize to inspire a ‘decade of action’.

Prince William has launched a prize to reward new innovative solutions for the climate crisis.

The new Earthshot Prize is an ambitious set of challenges to inspire a decade of action to repair the planet.

"The earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve,” said the Duke of Cambridge.  

The innovative challenges will seek to find answers to the biggest issues currently facing the planet, including: climate and energy, nature and biodiversity, oceans, air pollution and fresh water.

The prestigious prize will be awarded to five people every year over the next ten years. Through this, and the winners work following each initial challenge, the prize aims to provide at least 50 solutions to the world’s greatest problems by 2030.

The Earthshot challenges have been created with the aim to generate a new wave of ambition and innovation around finding ways to help save the planet. The prizes will reward progress across all sectors of industry and society, not just technology.

Prince William added: “People can achieve great things. And the next ten years presents us with one of our greatest tests - a decade of change to repair the Earth.”

The prizes can be awarded to a wide range of individuals, teams or collaborations – scientists, activists, economists, leaders, governments, banks, businesses, cities, and countries – anyone who is making a substantial development or outstanding contribution to solving environmental challenges.

Photograph: World Bank

2 January 2020

Climate Action