Introduction: A milestone for the Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize, founded five years ago by Prince William, is set to take a global stage this year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The ceremony marks the first time the environmentally focused awards are hosted in Latin America, underscoring the prize’s mission to recognize and accelerate bold, scalable solutions to the world’s most pressing climate challenges. As the Prince of Wales has described this year’s finalists as “heroes of our time,” the event promises a powerful showcase of ingenuity, leadership, and tangible impact.
What the Earthshot Prize stands for
Each year, the Earthshot Prize awards £1 million to five projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to protecting and restoring the planet. The 2025 finalists were selected from almost 2,500 nominations spanning 72 countries. A diverse group of initiatives—ranging from policy leadership to technology and design—remain in contention, united by a shared aim: to deliver practical environmental wins by 2030.
Brazil as a new frontier for climate innovation
Rio de Janeiro’s staging of the ceremony symbolizes the broadening of the Earthshot Prize’s footprint. Brazil’s own environmental leadership and challenges are intertwined with global climate action. The event provides a platform for Brazilian and regional innovators to gain international visibility, while highlighting local efforts to balance development with preservation. The prize’s international council, which includes figures such as Cate Blanchett and Queen Rania of Jordan, will participate in the final deliberations that determine this year’s winners.
Name‑checking notable finalists and what they aim to achieve
Among the finalists, a Caribbean nation is highlighted for its climate leadership as it advances a path toward fossil‑free energy. In another corner of the world, a Chinese city is shortlisted for “Clean Our Air” thanks to an electrified public transport system. The final list also includes an example of urban renewal in the form of a pioneering high‑rise that has been upcycled rather than demolished, demonstrating a sustainable approach to aging infrastructure. The range of finalists demonstrates how climate action is already underway in cities, communities, and startups worldwide.
Matter: homegrown innovation with global reach
From Bristol, Matter—a British finalist—has developed a filter for washing machines designed to reduce the flow of microplastics into oceans, addressing a pervasive yet often overlooked pollution problem. The founder, Adam Root, has framed Earthshot recognition as a transformative milestone, likening the prize to an Olympic achievement: a sentiment that captures the ambition driving many of these projects to scale quickly and responsibly.
Prince William’s reflections and the broader impact
In a video message accompanying the finalists’ announcement, Prince William reflected on the journey of the Earthshot Prize. He recalled early hopes and the passage of a decade, noting how 2030 now feels tangible—the decade by which the next generation will judge current actions. He reiterated that the people behind the shortlisted projects are heroes of our time, urging continued and expanded support so these ideas can thrive in our communities and ecosystems today, not just in the distant future.
What to expect from the Brazil ceremony
The event will bring together innovators, policymakers, and global audiences to celebrate practical climate solutions, exchange ideas, and catalyze collaboration across borders. Beyond the awards themselves, the ceremony is a platform for dialogue about scalable solutions that protect natural resources, empower local economies, and foster sustainable urban living. For participants and observers, it will be a moment to translate inspiration into action—turning talk into tangible outcomes that align with the 2030 goals.
Conclusion: A call to action for a cleaner, safer future
As Prince William and the Earthshot Prize Council deliberate on the winners, the overarching message remains clear: a coalition of bold ideas, supported by committed communities and informed leadership, can transform challenges into opportunities. The Brazil ceremony is not just an awards night—it is a global invitation to back the people solving our planet’s most urgent problems and to believe that a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future is within reach.
