Prince William's decision to select India, the planet's third-largest producer of greenhouse gases, as the venue for the sixth Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony this November in Mumbai, has been praised.
The 43-year-old heir to the throne revealed the host city for his flagship environmental initiative, describing India as "one of the world's most important forces for climate and nature".
Mumbai, a metropolis of over 20 million residents, will welcome the awards during a period of significant economic expansion for India, much of which has been powered by fossil fuel consumption.
The ceremony follows last year's event held in Rio de Janeiro.
Prince William Earthshot decision sparks praise despite India's pollution record
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Despite being one of the world's most significant polluters, India has produced more Earthshot Prize winners and finalists than any other nation.
The country ranks behind only China and the United States in global carbon emissions, responsible for approximately eight per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions due to its vast population and expanding economy.
Despite this, the decision has been praised by royal fans, with one writing on X: "It’s so cool he’s taking Earthshot to India- one of the biggest countries in the world and the whole country loves him and Catherine."
Another said: "He is a doer, not a complainer."
Smoke rising from the Steel Authority of India Limited plant, causing air pollution in the steel city Rourkela, on February 11, 2026
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A third commented: "Such a great, successful initiative, well done to the Prince of Wales. Prince William is a true leader. Can’t wait for the next Earthshot in India."
A royal source stated the prize focused on "driving real change", adding: "There is no better place than India, both because of the scale of its rapid growth and the environmental challenges that come with that, as well as the scale of the investment and innovation being tasked to overcome those challenges."
The Prince of Wales emphasised India's potential to drive global environmental progress, stating: "What succeeds in India at scale has the power to inspire progress everywhere."
William highlighted the nation's demographic advantage, noting: "With the largest population of young people in the world, there is a real sense of momentum to not only imagine a better future, but to inspire change and make it a reality."
A bridge on the Mora Bharalu river, one of the most polluted rivers in northeast India, strewn with plastic waste on March 22, 2025
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Prince William launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020, which awards five innovative projects £1million each to combat critical environmental issues | EARTHSHOTHe urged collective action, declaring: "Together we can rise to meet our greatest challenge, to repair and restore our planet by 2030."
The future king is understood to view Asia as essential to addressing climate change, believing that no significant portion of the world can be excluded when fighting for its future.
The £50million Earthshot Prize, established in 2020, distributes five awards of £1million annually across categories including clean air, ocean protection, waste reduction, climate action and nature restoration.
Previous finalists have collectively captured 4.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, diverted 250,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and helped restore over one million square kilometres of land and ocean.
Prince William has identified China as a prospective future host nation for the awards, having previously engaged with Beijing on environmental matters, including discussions about banning the ivory trade during his 2015 meeting with President Xi Jinping.