South America will host the Earthshot Prize for the first time as Rio de Janeiro welcomes the prestigious environmental awards from 3-5 November.
The three-day gathering marks the midpoint of the Earthshot Decade, bringing together an extensive international network of environmental leaders.
Government leaders, representatives from Indigenous communities, youth activists, researchers, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and philanthropists will convene in the Brazilian city.
The summit aims to generate what organisers describe as “urgent optimism” for planetary restoration by 2030.
Rio named global climate capital as Prince William’s Earthshot Prize heads to South America
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Previous years’ finalists from across the world will join the 2025 cohort in Rio.
This year’s contenders were chosen from approximately 2,500 submissions spanning 72 nations, showcasing outstanding environmental leadership globally.
The summit programme includes prominent gatherings, strategic discussions and The Impact Assembly on 5 November, aimed at expanding the reach of finalist initiatives.
That evening, the Museum of Tomorrow will host the awards ceremony.
Brazilian television presenter Luciano Huck will preside over the ceremony, joined by Rebeca Andrade, who holds six Olympic and nine World medals as Brazil and South America’s most successful Olympian.
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, recognised for his environmental advocacy, will also attend alongside Indigenous Brazilian activist Txai Suruí, a prominent advocate for Brazil’s Indigenous populations and environmental protection.
Each of the five 2025 winners will receive £1million, equivalent to approximately R$7.3million.
The finalists include Brazilian enterprise re.green, which employs artificial intelligence for forest restoration whilst generating employment, UK-based Matter addressing microplastic contamination, and Barbados for its comprehensive climate initiatives.
Prince William will undertake his inaugural official journey to Brazil next week, arriving in Rio de Janeiro on Monday for a three-day programme of environmental engagements
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GETTYA public engagement zone called Earthshot Boulevard will transform the waterfront between the Museum of Tomorrow and Pier 3 into an accessible environmental showcase.
The Eleven Eleven Foundation has partnered to create this complimentary outdoor space featuring climate conversations and ecological artwork.
Five Cool Globes representing each Earthshot category will form a prominent display for Rio residents. On 4 November, over 600 renewable energy-powered drones will create formations above Ipanema Beach, with optimal viewing near Arpoador Rock at the beach’s eastern edge.
Visitors can sample environmentally conscious Brazilian treats, including low-carbon biscuits from Biscoitê and 2024 finalist Ferment’Up, made without cocoa or palm oil.
Earthshot Coffee, a regenerative Brazilian blend from Macaw Coffee’s sustainable beans, will be served with Nude’s plant-based milk in biodegradable cups from 2022 winner Notpla and recyclable Klabin containers, accompanied by locally-sourced Dengo chocolate.
Jason Knauf, The Earthshot Prize’s chief executive, stated: “There is nothing like The Earthshot Prize. In just five years, we’ve built an ambitious global network of climate leaders, a truly unparalleled community of innovators, policymakers, businesses and changemakers. Together, we are proving that the solutions to our greatest challenges already exist; we just need to back them. At this critical halfway point in the Earthshot Decade, our momentum is unstoppable.”
Board of Trustees chair Christiana Figueres emphasised collective action: “Solving the climate crisis is not the work of one person, one government, or one sector; it is a collective effort.”
BBC and Globo will broadcast the ceremony to an unprecedented 34 million viewers across Brazil and the UK. Since Prince William established the initiative in 2020, it has safeguarded more than one million square kilometres of ecosystems and secured over $500 million for environmental projects.