HRH Prince William announces Rio de Janeiro’s as the venue for the 2025 Earthshot Prize Finals
Rio de Janeiro was announced on the 4th April, as the host city for the Earthshot Prize 2025, one of the most prestigious environmental awards in the world, founded by Prince William. To celebrate the choice, six iconic spots in the city — Museu do Amanhã, Arcos da Lapa, Cidade das Artes, Terminal Gentileza, Igreja da Penha and Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM) — will be lit up in green starting at 19 pm.
The Earthshot Prize 2025 ceremony will be held in November and will bring together innovators, investors, philanthropists and environmental leaders from around the world in Rio. It will be the first time that the awards ceremony has taken place in South America. Created in 2020 by Prince William, the prize seeks solutions to environmental challenges and awards annual prizes of £1 million to five projects around the world. Categories include nature, air, oceans, waste management and climate. In Rio, local and national solutions will be evaluated.
Mayor Eduardo Paes celebrated the choice.
– Rio de Janeiro is honored to receive the Earthshot Prize, one of the most prestigious environmental awards in the world. Our city has long been at the forefront of global discussions on sustainability, from ECO-92 to Rio+20. In November, we are proud to once again make history by welcoming innovative solutions that can help protect and restore our planet – said Paes.
The Earthshot Prize Rio will select 15 innovative environmental solutions, which will undergo a one-year acceleration program, receiving mentoring, technical support and access to a broad international network of investors, philanthropists and experts.
For Prince William, the 2025 edition marks an important moment in the award’s trajectory.
– The year 2025 marks half a decade of the award, and each year we celebrate the remarkable power of human ingenuity to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges. Bringing Earthshot to Brazil, a nation rich in biodiversity and environmental innovation, drives new ideas for healthier, safer ways to live. It is an honor to highlight the people who are making the world a better place for generations to come – he said.
Since its inception in 2020, Earthshot has identified more than 5.300 emerging environmental innovations across 141 countries, recognised 60 innovators through its Fellowship Programme and awarded more than £20 million to help winners scale their solutions.
More information about the official Earthshot Prize program in Brazil will be released soon.
Earthshot Prize 2024 Cape Town
In November 2024, Cape Town stood as a beacon of hope and ingenuity, hosting the extraordinary Earthshot Prize Awards. The event celebrated global environmental innovation, shining a spotlight on groundbreaking solutions addressing the planet’s most urgent challenges. Set against the stunning backdrop of South Africa, the ceremony symbolized Africa’s central role in leading the charge toward a sustainable future.
The week was filled with electrifying moments of collaboration, creativity, and action. It culminated in the recognition of five remarkable projects, each awarded £1 million to amplify their transformative work. Cape Town became a melting pot of visionaries, leaders, and changemakers, united in their dedication to preserving the beauty and balance of our Earth.
At the heart of it all was the Prince of Wales, an unwavering force of inspiration. His commitment to environmental stewardship resonated deeply, particularly in Africa—a place he holds close to his heart. With his hands-on approach, he engaged directly with young environmentalists, offering words of encouragement and solidarity. His warm interactions, humility, and passion embodied the true spirit of leadership. Through the Earthshot Prize, the Prince of Wales has proven that visionary leadership can ignite global movements. His work galvanises people from all walks of life, showing that solutions exist, and together, we can protect and restore the planet for generations to come.
