It’s no surprise that the world is now besieged by environmental challenges. Innovation emerges as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a sustainable future. Enter: The Earthshot Prize.
Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s “Moonshot” challenge in 1962 to land a man on the moon within a decade, The Earthshot Prize was launched by Prince William, the then Duke of Cambridge, in 2020. The Earthshot Prize, in collaboration with leading environmental experts, has emerged as a beacon of hope for our planet’s future. This groundbreaking initiative is driven by the belief that we can repair and regenerate the Earth, making it a better place for future generations. The Earthshot Prize is all about discovering, spotlighting, and nurturing innovative solutions that are actively working to heal our world.
So, how does it all work? Let’s break it down into a simple yet powerful roadmap.
The Roadmap
At the heart of The Earthshot Prize lies ‘The Roadmap‘—a meticulous plan meticulously crafted in collaboration with experts and rooted in cutting-edge scientific knowledge. This roadmap delineates the precise criteria necessary to achieve our Earthshots, providing a laser-sharp focus to our mission.
SEARCH
The journey begins with a global quest for groundbreaking ideas. The Earthshot Prize, in tandem with its Official Nominators network, scours the world for innovative solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges. These solutions are not mere concepts; they must boast proven prototypes, show signs of success, and harbour the potential to create a positive impact on our environment. The search spans diverse sectors, ensuring a wide array of perspectives and approaches.
SELECT
Amidst the sea of nominations, a rigorous selection process unfolds. Supported by the Expert Advisory Panel, The Earthshot Prize meticulously evaluates thousands of submissions. First, a Top 150 is identified, then distilled further to a Top 15. These top contenders become Earthshot Prize Finalists, embodying the spirit of innovation and promise. The final decision rests with the esteemed Prize Council members, who handpick the five Earthshot Prize Winners from the cream of the crop.
AWARD
The culmination of this rigorous process is a grand celebration of innovation. Held in cities across the globe, The Earthshot Prize awards each of the five winners the catalytic £1 million Earthshot Prize. This substantial financial boost acts as a powerful catalyst, propelling the winning solutions towards scaling greater heights.
ACCELERATE
The support doesn’t end with the award. All 15 finalists gain entry into The Earthshot Fellowship programme, a year-long initiative designed to nurture their ideas. Through dedicated support, participants gain access to new financial avenues, networking opportunities, and partnerships, accelerating their journey towards environmental transformation.
SCALE
The ultimate goal of The Earthshot Prize is to ensure that these innovative solutions do not just exist but thrive and scale rapidly. Collaborating with a Global Alliance of Partners, including philanthropies, non-profits, government agencies, investors, and businesses, The Earthshot Prize tailors support to all Finalists. This strategic partnership paves the way for impactful, large-scale change, facilitating the transition towards a sustainable future.
This year’s The Earthshot Prize Winners
Let’s get to know the five winners who are poised to make a significant positive impact on our planet. Unveiled at an event in Singapore, these remarkable organisations have been awarded The Earthshot Prize, each receiving a generous £1 million ($1.1 million) in support to scale their groundbreaking solutions.
These visionary companies are on a mission to combat some of the most pressing global challenges, spanning cleaner energy solutions, nature preservation initiatives, and tackling the complex problems of pollution, biodiversity loss, and the looming climate crisis. Their collective dedication to creating a more sustainable and resilient world is nothing short of inspiring. With these innovators at the helm, a brighter and more environmentally conscious future is within reach.
ACCIÓN ANDINA
Acción Andina, born from the collaboration of non-profit organisations Global Forest Generation and Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos, rekindles the ancient Inca principles of “Ayni and Minka”—a profound commitment to collective well-being. Their approach unites tens of thousands of people in local and indigenous communities, rallying them to safeguard and rejuvenate their native forests and ecosystems. This mission is essential for regional climate resilience, water security, biodiversity, community livelihoods, and indigenous heritage.
The initiative offers indispensable resources, including funding, project management, and technical training, for local conservation leaders and communities, fostering enduring land protection and restoration efforts. Acción Andina works closely with high Andes communities, forming formidable partnerships for future land and resource management.
Their actions have already transformed lives, bolstering food and water security, generating new income opportunities, and promoting sustainable resource management. Since 2018, Acción Andina has planted nearly 10 million native trees across five countries, restoring over 4,000 hectares of Andean forests and safeguarding more than 11,000 hectares of native forest.
While their current impact is impressive, Acción Andina is just beginning. By 2045, they aspire to protect and restore one million hectares of high Andean native forest ecosystems across seven countries. Their success has inspired the Global Forest Generation to replicate the model worldwide to rescue our most imperilled and overlooked ecosystems.
BOOMITRA
Boomitra, the “friend of the earth” in Sanskrit, operates as a soil carbon marketplace, rewarding farmers for adopting sustainable land management practices. With over 150,000 farmers on board, ranging from small half-acre farms to large ranches, they oversee more than five million acres of land in economically disadvantaged regions across Africa, South America, and Asia. Using cutting-edge satellite and AI technology, they monitor and validate the soil improvements made by these farmers, effectively measuring the carbon storage capacity over time.
This innovative approach allows companies and governments to procure carbon credits from Boomitra’s marketplace, with a significant portion of the revenue directly benefiting farmers and ranchers. The potential is immense; Earth’s agricultural soils can capture an additional five gigatons of CO2 annually, exceeding the emissions from global car travel.
Boomitra’s ambitious goal is to store one gigaton of CO2 in the soil by 2030, offering a transformative solution for climate change mitigation. Beyond its environmental impact, this strategy is a game-changer for farmers, rejuvenating soil health, increasing crop yields, and boosting their income. In fact, farmers also share a substantial 70% of Boomitra’s profits, creating a win-win scenario.
GRST
Co-founded by Justin Hung, GRST (Green, Renewable, Sustainable Technology) pioneers a cleaner, greener battery production process. By ditching toxic solvents and embracing water-soluble binding composites, GRST slashes pollution and boosts recyclability. This innovation ensures that when these batteries reach the end of their lives, lithium, cobalt, and nickel can be efficiently reclaimed, reducing the need for further resource extraction.
But the benefits don’t stop there. GRST’s breakthrough method not only cuts production emissions by 40% but also extends battery lifespan by up to 10%. These qualities turbocharge the electric vehicle revolution and pave the way for cleaner air worldwide.
Already available in multiple countries, GRST is ramping up production with a new factory and ambitious goals. By 2030, they aim for a 5% share of the global green battery market and plan to establish circular supply chains in the coming years. GRST is the driving force behind sustainable electric vehicle growth.
S4S TECHNOLOGIES
In 2013, a visionary group of friends—Nidhi Pant, Vaibhav Tidke, Swapnil Kokte, Ganesh Bhere, Shital Somani, Tushar Gaware, and Ashwin Pawade—united to launch S4S Technologies. Their mission? To tackle food waste, rural poverty, and gender inequality head-on by empowering smallholder female farmers.
S4S equips rural communities with affordable solar-powered conduction dryers and food processing tools, revolutionising how surplus crops are handled. No more costly conventional storage methods; they process on-site.
Empowering women is at the heart of S4S’s journey. They support female farmers and entrepreneurs to turn preserved surplus into valuable products like ketchup. By forging connections with commercial buyers, S4S ensures most of the profits return to the women who worked hard to create them.
Results? 300,000 supported female farmers have seen profits rise by 10-15%, while 2,000 entrepreneurs have doubled or even tripled their incomes. By 2025, S4S aims to reach three million smallholder farmers and 30,000 entrepreneurs, while also making a colossal dent in food waste and carbon emissions. The future is bright and sustainable with S4S Technologies.
WILDAID MARINE PROGRAM
WildAid’s Marine Programme is a global game-changer, teaming up with a diverse set of partners—from governments to charities, academics to non-profits. Led by the dynamic Meaghan Brosnan, it’s all about turbocharging Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and sustainable fisheries. Their strategy? Equip the guardians of our oceans with the tools, technology, and resources they need to thwart illegal fishing, restore precious wildlife, and uplift coastal communities.
Covering a massive 1.64 million square kilometres of ocean and operating in places like Palau, Zanzibar, and Mexico, WildAid is the flag-bearer of ocean conservation across the planet. But here’s the real kicker—they’re just getting started. Their ambitious goal? Expanding to 250 priority marine areas in the next five years. WildAid isn’t just an organisation; it’s a global force for change, working tirelessly to safeguard our oceans and secure a sustainable future for all.
This year’s The Earthshot Prize Finalists
Let’s now turn our attention to the remarkable individuals and teams who stand alongside the Earthshot Prize 2023’s winner, each poised to make a substantial and lasting impact on our planet. These finalists represent a diverse array of innovative projects and groundbreaking ideas that are set to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
ABALOBI (South Africa)
ABALOBI‘s cutting-edge technology empowers small fishing communities to track their catch, fostering sustainable fishing practices and enhancing their livelihoods.
Thanks to ABALOBI’s technology, fish populations get a fighting chance. Initially, 60% of the catches were from “at-risk” species, but now over 90% come from robust stocks. This transformation is happening across 12 countries, with 1,600 fishers already benefiting from this user-friendly smartphone solution.
ABALOBI streamlines fishery management, making it a win-win for fishermen, buyers, and all stakeholders. It safeguards fish stocks from overexploitation while also ensuring fair earnings, formal recognition, and improved market access. Users report a remarkable fourfold increase in revenue.
Together, ABALOBI is turning fishermen and women into ocean stewards, preserving this precious resource for future generations. It’s a revolution in the making, one smartphone app at a time.
AQUACYCL (USA)
Aquacycl is revolutionising industrial wastewater treatment through microbial technology, making it more accessible, efficient, and eco-friendly. Major global consumer packaged goods companies have already embraced Aquacycl’s wastewater management systems. In just a year, a single PepsiCo facility utilising Aquacycl reduced over 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the emissions of more than 10 tanker trucks filled with gasoline.
Shocking statistics reveal that one-third of the world’s population lacks access to safe sanitation. Over the next five years, Aquacycl’s co-founder, Orianna Bretschger, aims to positively impact 100 million lives by providing secure and easily accessible wastewater treatment facilities. Beyond this, Aquacycl’s commitment to significantly curbing atmospheric carbon emissions promises to protect our climate for all.
BELTERRA (Brazil)
Belterra partners with Brazilian smallholder farmers to revolutionise agriculture through regenerative practices while creating market incentives for sustainable crops. This transformative model empowers farmers to secure a sustainable income and compete with agribusiness giants, all by embracing nature-friendly agroforestry over monoculture methods.
With each new farmer on board, their combined efforts gradually rejuvenate the land and its precious forests. In just two years, Belterra has already cultivated 1,800 hectares of diverse agroforestry zones and safeguarded 18,000 hectares of land—equivalent to one and a half San Franciscos.
By 2030, Belterra aims to restore 40,000 hectares of Brazilian forest, benefiting countless farmers and serving as a vital CO2-absorbing carbon sink. This ambitious endeavour promises a brighter future for both agriculture and the environment.
CIRC (USA)
US-based innovator Circ has revolutionised polycotton fabric recycling, tackling a significant textile waste problem. Each piece Circ recycles means one less garment buried in landfills or incinerated, contributing to cleaner air. Their remarkable efforts have already redirected 103 tonnes of textile waste from landfills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 130,000 kg.
In the near future, Circ plans to launch a factory capable of recycling a staggering 60,000 tonnes of textile waste annually within three years. Looking ahead to 2030, their ambitious goal is to quintuple their capacity to a remarkable 300,000 tons. This commitment is poised to reshape the fashion industry, steering it towards a more sustainable, circular future.
COASTAL 500 (Philippines)
Coastal 500, a global coalition of forward-thinking mayors and local leaders, is on a mission to rejuvenate our ocean habitats and champion coastal preservation worldwide.
Under a shared commitment, Coastal 500 members pledge to revitalise fishing communities, secure their access to fisheries, and bolster local governance. The results speak volumes: marine ecosystems are rebounding, and local fisheries are flourishing. Mayors proudly report an astonishing 80% surge in sustainable, community-managed fish catches in areas supported by the Coastal 500.
But our journey has just begun. The power of this movement lies in its collective force. Together, Coastal 500 members wield an impact that surpasses that of any individual city or nation. Join us in this vital cause, and together, we’ll ensure a healthier future for our coasts and oceans.
COLORIFIX (UK)
Colorifix harnesses DNA sequencing and the power of nature’s hues to craft eco-friendly dyes, revolutionising fashion by slashing water consumption and chemical waste. Our natural dyes are eco-champions, curbing chemical pollution by a staggering 80%. Plus, when these vibrant pigments grace fabrics, they demand significantly fewer rinses compared to their synthetic counterparts, unlocking remarkable water savings.
The ripple effect is already tangible in the fashion world, with Colorifix gaining momentum as an eco-conscious trendsetter. We’ve set our sights on a bold mission: to colour 15% of the world’s clothing by 2030, empowering major manufacturers to meet their sustainability goals and transform the industry into a cleaner, greener space.
ENSO (UK)
Revolutionising electric mobility, ENSO crafts cutting-edge tyres tailored for eco-conscious drivers. Engineered exclusively for electric vehicles, these tyres redefine sustainability, curbing harmful tyre pollution and ushering in a breath of fresh air for everyone. ENSO stands as the sole tyre company globally certified as a B-Corporation, underscoring its unwavering dedication to environmental, social, and governance standards. At ENSO’s core lies a passion for tyre innovation, boosting vehicle range, and slashing carbon emissions while combating air and microplastic pollution with their robust compounds. Already gracing the streets of London with iconic black cabs and electric delivery fleets, ENSO is set to conquer North America next year.
Their ambitious goal? To manufacture over one million low-emission tyres annually by 2026, propelling us towards a greener, cleaner future. ENSO exemplifies the power to transform the wheel, paving the way for pristine air that benefits us all.
FREETOWN THE TREETOWN (Sierra Leone)
Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, is setting an example that resonates worldwide. By fusing community stewardship with cutting-edge digital tools, the Freetown The Treetown initiative has sparked a grassroots movement dedicated to preserving trees.
This initiative’s overwhelming success serves as a blueprint for cities battling deforestation. Freetown is well on its way to achieving an audacious goal: planting one million trees by 2024. What sets it apart is the unwavering dedication of the city’s tree guardians, coupled with a sophisticated monitoring system. Remarkably, over 80% of the planted trees are thriving, thanks to this vigilant approach.
Freetown The Treetown doesn’t just offer hope for Sierra Leone; it sets a global precedent, illustrating the power of uniting local communities and technology to save our planet’s invaluable trees.
POLISH SMOG ALERT (Poland)
Polish Smog Alert, a global leader in clean air advocacy, collaborates with over 50 local initiatives to combat pollution. Their mission? By 2026, banish coal-burning from a million Polish homes, setting air quality in harmony with WHO guidelines by the decade’s close.
But their ambitions don’t stop at Poland’s borders. The group’s vision extends to Central and Eastern Europe, striving to enhance the lives of millions by purifying the region’s skies.
SEA FOREST (Australia)
Sea Forest‘s groundbreaking SeaFeed™ revolutionises livestock farming by curbing methane emissions from cattle and sheep, paving the way for sustainable agriculture and thriving marine ecosystems.
With SeaFeed™, the transformation is swift; livestock experience an instant reduction in methane production upon consumption.
Having already manufactured over a million doses of SeaFeed™, Sea Forest possesses the potential to impact 15% of Australia’s cattle population. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Sam Elsom, they’re poised for significant expansion.
Imagine the global impact: if this solution reaches just 15% of the world’s cattle, we could slash three gigatonnes of emissions, making a monumental contribution to our fight against climate change. Sea Forest is charting a path towards a greener, more sustainable future.
As we conclude our journey through the remarkable initiatives and visionaries of The Earthshot Prize, it becomes clear that innovation and dedication are the driving forces behind our path to a sustainable future.
The five deserving winners represent the very best in environmental innovation. Their groundbreaking projects are poised to create ripples of positive change that will echo for generations to come.
But they are not alone. The Earthshot Prize 2023’s finalists, a diverse and determined group, are ready to take their place in the vanguard of positive change. Together, these individuals and teams remind us that the power of innovation, collaboration, and hope can overcome even the most daunting challenges our planet faces.
As we look to the future, let the Earthshot Prize and the vision it embodies inspire us. We all have a stake in this mission to repair and regenerate the Earth, and together, we can make our planet a better place for all.
Beginning Sunday, November 12, The Earthshot Prize Awards will be broadcast on the BBC in the United Kingdom, PBS in the United States, various MultiChoice channels across Africa, Mediacorp’s Channel 5, mewatch and Mediacorp YouTube Entertainment Channel in Singapore, and on The Earthshot Prize’s YouTube channel in other territories around the world.
FEATURED IMAGE: MOHD RASFAN/GETTY IMAGES
