The Prince of Wales, Prince William, has made a significant announcement regarding the 2026 Earthshot Prize, interrupting his half-term break to reveal that Mumbai, India, will host this year's prestigious environmental awards ceremony. In a passionate video statement, he emphasised India's crucial role in global climate and nature efforts, describing the country as one of the world's most important forces for environmental progress.
Mumbai Selected for 2026 Earthshot Prize Awards
Prince William shared the news via the official Instagram page of the Prince and Princess of Wales, expressing his excitement for Mumbai as the host city. He highlighted India's vast population of young people as a key driver for environmental change, stating that their momentum could inspire global action. The announcement was made during Mumbai's inaugural Climate Action Week, where leaders from various sectors gathered to discuss sustainability initiatives.
India's Role in Climate Leadership
In his statement, Prince William said, "We must continue to look to the future with urgency and optimism, which is why I am delighted that Mumbai will host the Earthshot Prize 2026. India is one of the world's most important forces for climate and nature. What succeeds in India at scale has the power to inspire progress everywhere." He added that with the largest youth population globally, India offers a real sense of momentum to not only imagine a better future but to enact tangible change.
The Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William in 2020, is halfway through its decade-long mission to reward innovative solutions for planetary repair by 2030. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's 1962 "Moonshot" speech, the prize aims to accelerate environmental innovation to address critical issues like climate change, ocean plastic pollution, and wildlife habitat loss.
Support from Local Leaders
Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the state where Mumbai is the capital, welcomed the decision, saying, "The Earthshot Prize is the world's most prestigious environmental award and I'm proud to announce that it will be hosted in Mumbai in November. Sustainability and climate action remain top priorities for Maharashtra, and the Earthshot Prize will create global attention for India's leadership and commitment to turning our goals into meaningful action on the ground."
The 2026 awards will take place in November, continuing the tradition of previous ceremonies held in cities like London, Singapore, Cape Town, Boston, and Rio de Janeiro. Awards are presented in five categories, known as Earthshots:
- Protect and restore nature
- Clean our air
- Revive our oceans
- Build a waste-free world
- Fix our climate
Winners in each category receive £1 million in prizes to fund their environmental initiatives, supporting projects that aim to repair and restore the planet by 2030.
Background and Previous Events
Last year, Prince William travelled to Rio de Janeiro for the 2025 Earthshot Awards, where he spent three days engaging in various activities, including visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue, attending the ceremony at the Museum of Tomorrow, and participating in a training session at Maracanã Stadium. This ongoing commitment underscores his dedication to the Earthshot mission, which seeks to foster optimism and urgency in tackling environmental challenges.
As the Earthshot Prize progresses, the selection of Mumbai as the 2026 host city marks a strategic move to leverage India's growing influence in sustainability and climate action, potentially inspiring broader global efforts towards a healthier planet.
