Halfway Through a Global Mission

The Earthshot Prize awards five winners each year with £1 million each for their groundbreaking environmental work. Jason Knauf, CEO of the Earthshot Prize, told People that the initiative was created at “a decisive moment” for the planet.

“The Earthshot Prize was also founded because Prince William believes that this decade can be a great human success story,” he explained. “That with urgency and optimism, we can make these years count. Today, as we stand at the halfway mark of our mission, our work feels more important than ever.”

To announce this year’s finalists, Prince William shared a reflective video filmed beneath an oak tree — the same spot where he first revealed the Earthshot Prize five years ago.

“Back then, a decade felt a long time,” he said in the clip. “George was seven, Charlotte five, and Louis two. The thought of them in 2030 felt a lifetime away. But today… 2030 feels very real.”

He called 2030 “a threshold by which future generations will judge us,” warning that the choices made today will “shape forever the trajectory of our planet.”

Despite the gravity of the message, William expressed optimism about the future: “The people behind these projects are heroes of our time. Let us back them. If we do, we can make the world cleaner, safer, and full of opportunity — not only for future generations but for the lives we want to lead now.”

This year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony will take place at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, drawing global leaders in sustainability, innovation, and science — with Prince William once again at the helm, representing the royal family’s commitment to climate action.