Prince William Applauds Earthshot Prize Finalists Before Gala

Ahead of the prestigious Earthshot Prize awards gala, Britain’s Prince William has expressed his support for the 15 innovative finalists in Singapore on Tuesday. These finalists are contenders for a substantial endowment, where five pioneering solutions to environmental challenges will each be awarded 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) to enhance their efforts in combating climate change.

In a gathering at the Gardens by the Bay — a celebrated botanical park — William interacted with the contenders, all gathered for the first time to engage in valuable networking. The Earthshot Prize categorizes its awards into five critical environmental areas: conservation of nature, air purification, revival of the oceans, waste reduction, and climate action.

Among the contenders are an American firm that has devised a method to recycle blended polycotton textiles, representing a significant portion of the textile waste problem. The list extends to an Indian enterprise that has developed solar-powered drying technology to aid farmers in preserving their harvest, thus reducing food wastage; an initiative from Sierra Leone aimed at planting and digitally monitoring trees in the rapidly urbanizing capital of Freetown, which has seen a drastic 70% reduction in tree cover; a Polish anti-smog campaign addressing Europe’s most polluted air; and a British company that is pioneering the production of eco-friendly tires tailored for electric vehicles.

The selection of the winners is in the hands of a distinguished 13-person council that boasts influential figures such as Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan, business tycoon Jack Ma, designer Stella McCartney, nature broadcaster David Attenborough, WTO leader Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and former basketball star Yao Ming.

All finalists, beyond the financial award, will be beneficiaries of a full year of technical assistance and additional support to expedite the development of their innovative projects. The Earthshot Prize, initiated by the Royal Foundation in 2020, stands as a decade-long commitment to bolster creative and effective answers to our planet’s most pressing environmental dangers.

Prince William, now aged 41, has embarked on this tour — his first in over a decade — with the awards celebration taking place in Asia for the initial time, following the first event in London and the subsequent one in Boston. He noted the absence of his wife, Kate, due to commitments with their son George’s school assessments.

Later in the evening, Prince William will grace the environmentally-conscious ‘green carpet’ at MediaCorp’s theater, signaling the opening of the much-anticipated event. The ceremony promises a star-studded array of hosts — actors Hannah Waddingham and Sterling K. Brown — with performances by pop sensations One Republic, Bastille, and vocalist Bebe Rexha.

The honors will be presented by a host of celebrities, including Academy Award laureate Cate Blanchett, actors Donnie Yen, Lana Condor, and Nomzamo Mbatha, and renowned Australian conservationist Robert Irwin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Earthshot Prize Finalists

More about Earthshot Prize Finalists

• Earthshot Prize Official Website
• Gardens by the Bay
• Royal Foundation
• MediaCorp Theater Information
• Prince William’s Environmental Initiatives
• Sustainable Innovations in Textile Recycling
• Solar-Powered Crop Preservation
• Urban Reforestation Projects
• Combating Air Pollution in Europe
• Advancements in Eco-Friendly Vehicle Technologies