Environmental innovators from Brazil, Colombia, Nigeria, Bangladesh and a global ocean initiative have secured £1 million each at the prestigious Earthshot Prize ceremony held at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow.
The awards recognise groundbreaking solutions across five environmental categories: protecting nature, cleaning air, reviving oceans, eliminating waste and addressing climate change.
Brazilian organisation re.green claimed the nature protection award, whilst Bogotá won for air quality improvements, the High Seas Treaty for ocean conservation, Lagos Fashion Week for waste reduction, and Bangladesh's Friendship organisation for climate solutions.
The ceremony marked the culmination of an extensive selection process that evaluated almost 2,500 submissions from 72 nations worldwide.
Brazilian television presenter Luciano Huck hosted the glamorous ceremony, which featured musical performances from Brazilian pop sensation Anitta and international star Kylie Minogue.
Environmental innovators from Brazil, Colombia, Nigeria, Bangladesh and a global ocean initiative have secured £1 million each at the prestigious Earthshot Prize ceremony held at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow.
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Prince William, who established the prize five years ago, addressed the audience at the ceremony.
He said: “When I founded The Earthshot Prize in 2020, we had a ten-year goal; to make this the decade in which we transformed our world for the better.
"We set out to tackle environmental issues head on and make real, lasting changes that would protect life on Earth.
"It was a mission driven by the kind of extraordinary optimism we have felt here tonight, from these innovators. Their work is the proof we need that progress is possible.
"Their stories are the inspiration that gives us courage. And there’s a great deal we can learn from their determination, their vision for scale, and their unyielding belief that we can create a better world.”
Prince William, who established the prize five years ago, addressed the audience at the ceremony.
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The prize aims to achieve its decade-long transformation goal through supporting pioneering environmental solutions that demonstrate both immediate impact and potential for global expansion.
Rio-based re.green employs artificial intelligence, drones and satellite technology alongside ecological and financial information to pinpoint areas offering maximum restoration potential within the Atlantic Forest ecosystem.
The organisation's approach enables natural regeneration whilst creating income through premium carbon credits and sustainable forestry, establishing dependable revenue that ensures continued environmental management.
Currently managing 30,000 hectares across four Brazilian states, re.green plans to rehabilitate 200,000 hectares by 2030 and one million by 2040.
Colombia's capital has achieved a 24 per cent reduction in air pollution since 2018, even as its population reached 7.9 million residents.
Prince William alongside the UK's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
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The city implemented clean air districts, restored deteriorated spaces, developed Latin America's most extensive cycling infrastructure and deployed a major electric bus network.
These measures have reduced congestion, shortened journey times and increased physical exercise amongst residents.
The High Seas Treaty represents a groundbreaking legal mechanism for establishing Marine Protected Areas in international waters, essential for meeting the target of conserving 30 per cent of marine environments by 2030.
Following its 60th ratification in September 2025, the treaty will become operational in January 2026, introducing comprehensive measures against overfishing, marine life preservation and equitable involvement for developing nations.
The initiative anticipates achieving universal ratification, with 100 countries expected to sign by 2026.
The award ceremony featured a musical performance international star Kylie Minogue.
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Lagos Fashion Week has transformed into Africa's premier fashion platform, mandating sustainable practices for all participating designers.
Requirements encompass responsible material sourcing, dyeing processes, production methods and transportation.
This accountability framework during the continent's most significant fashion event has reshaped brand behaviour throughout the year.
The organisation intends to extend its sustainable model to fashion weeks in Kigali, Dakar and Accra.
The winners were chosen by Prince William and the Earthshot Prize Council, led by Paris Climate Accord architect Christiana Figueres.
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Runa Khan established Friendship in 2002, initially operating a single floating hospital before expanding into a comprehensive social purpose organisation serving Bangladesh's vulnerable populations.
The organisation now delivers healthcare to over 7.5 million people annually, supplies more than 8.3 million days of emergency food assistance and provides safe drinking water access to over 80,000 coastal residents.
Future plans include protecting 7,000 kilometres of coastline through mangrove and wetland restoration whilst extending disaster relief to 50 million people by 2030.
The winners were chosen by Prince William and the Earthshot Prize Council, led by Paris Climate Accord architect Christiana Figueres.
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