The Earthshot Prize, an ambitious initiative led by Prince William, is set to take place in Brazil, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. This prestigious global environmental award aims to recognize innovative ideas and technologies that can help safeguard our planet for future generations.

Launched as a decade-long project, the Earthshot Prize has seen previous ceremonies held in notable cities including London, Boston, Singapore, and Cape Town. Each year, the award distributes £1 million to five winners who present the most effective solutions to address significant climate challenges facing the world today.

In a statement from Kensington Palace, it was announced that this year’s main awards ceremony will coincide with the important COP30 UN climate change conference, further emphasizing the need for urgent climate action. Prince William expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming event, noting that “2025 marks the midway point of the Earthshot decade, and each year we've witnessed the remarkable power of human ingenuity in addressing our planet's most pressing challenges.”

The prince continued, “It is an honor to profile the people making our world a better place for us and for our children.” This commitment to environmental advocacy was highlighted in a promotional video featuring Prince William alongside Earthshot supporters like David Beckham, Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham, and former Brazilian football legend Cafu, all rallying behind the cause.

This year, fifteen projects will be shortlisted for the award, reflecting a significant increase in interest and participation from South America. The Earthshot judging panel has received an impressive 232 nominations from projects based in the region, a figure that more than doubles the number received last year. This surge in nominations speaks volumes about the growing commitment to environmental solutions in South America.

Christiana Figueres, who serves as the chair of the board of Earthshot trustees, has a distinguished background in international climate negotiations. A prominent figure in the fight for global climate solutions, Figueres expressed her excitement about Brazil hosting the Earthshot Prize. “It's very exciting, certainly for me as a Latin American…. Brazil is at the heart of the challenge Earthshot faces,” she remarked in an interview.

Figueres further emphasized the significance of the timing, noting that having the Earthshot Prize just before COP30 will bring much-needed attention to both initiatives. She stated, “It is a win-win for both COP and Earthshot.” This year’s Earthshot Prize is being perceived as a prelude to COP30, which will commence shortly after in Belém, often referred to as the gateway to the Amazon.

The backdrop of this year’s event is intensified by recent political developments, including the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Known for his skepticism regarding climate change, Trump has voiced strong opposition to global climate policies. However, Figueres remains optimistic, asserting that “that doesn’t help but it doesn’t stop the progress either. He can’t stop the advance of green technologies, he can’t stop the public demand for cleaner air and a more sustainable world. None of that can stop because of political ignorance.”

As the Earthshot Prize prepares to take center stage in Brazil, conservationists have raised concerns regarding environmental policies in the country. Critics have pointed out the alarming rates of deforestation, with reports indicating that Brazil has cut down tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest to make way for a new four-lane highway in anticipation of the climate summit, a move that starkly contrasts the goals of the Earthshot Prize.