Dame Jacinda Arden

Dame Jacinda Arden

Dame Jacinda Ardern’s role with the Earthshot Prize marks a profound commitment to building a hopeful and sustainable future for our planet. Known globally for her compassionate and bold leadership, Ardern now joins forces with the Earthshot Prize to help discover and elevate groundbreaking solutions that can heal the Earth within the next decade. Her dedication to collective action and positive change echoes the core mission of the prize: to inspire, support, and scale innovative solutions that address our most urgent environmental challenges.

The Earthshot Prize is not just an award; it’s a movement toward a future where harmony with nature is possible. Each year, it shines a light on visionary projects that reimagine what’s possible for our planet—from reversing climate change to restoring our oceans, clearing our air, reviving biodiversity, and ending waste. With Ardern’s influence and passion for sustainable progress, the Earthshot Prize continues to spark hope, mobilize change-makers, and catalyze a global community of action. Together, they are inspiring a new generation to dream big, act boldly, and believe in a world where solutions can indeed triumph over the challenges we face.

Trustee Earthshot Prize

Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, did join the Board of Trustees of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. Her commitment to sustainable development and climate action as Prime Minister of New Zealand strongly aligns with The Earthshot Prize’s optimistic ambition and its efforts to protect and restore our planet by 2030.

Speaking about the appointment, Prince William said:

“It is an honour to welcome Jacinda to The Earthshot Prize team. Her life-long commitment to supporting sustainable and environmental solutions, along with her experience as Prime Minister of New Zealand, will bring a rich infusion of new thinking to our mission.

“Four years ago, before The Earthshot Prize even had a name, Jacinda was one of the first people I spoke to, and her encouragement and advice was crucial to the Prize’s early success. I am hugely grateful to her for joining us as she takes the next steps in her career.”

Jacinda Ardern said:

“I am humbled and excited to be working with the Earthshot team. Since its inception, I’ve believed Earthshot’s power to encourage and spread not only the innovation we desperately need, but also optimism. Solutions are within our reach if we invest, support and accelerate them globally.”

In September 2022, Ms. Ardern attended The Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York where she spoke on behalf of Prince William as he remained in the UK following the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. She offered powerful remarks on the critical need for innovation to positively alter the course of our environmental trajectory and called on political leaders and the private sector to support and invest in solutions. The Earthshot Prize Board of Trustees seeks to bring independent, diverse and expert perspectives to guide and oversee The Earthshot Prize as it continues to scale and achieve its ambition to repair and regenerate the planet.

Christiana Figueres, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Earthshot Prize, said:

“I have long-been inspired by Jacinda’s work as a catalysing force in the effort to combat climate change. She is a tremendous champion of environmental innovation, and her perspective, experience and guidance will no-doubt make a powerful impact on the entire Earthshot Prize organisation. My fellow Trustees and I are thrilled to welcome Jacinda in her new role.”

Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern was a New Zealand politician who served as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023. A member of the Labour Party, she was a member of Parliament as a list MP from 2008 to 2017, and for Mount Albert from 2017 to 2023.