Earthshot 2024: Prince William announces winners in Cape Town

Organisers of the Earthshot Prize, which was first awarded in 2021, say they were inspired by former US president John F Kennedy’s Moonshot project, which set scientists the challenge of getting astronauts to the moon and back safely.

The aim of the awards, organisers say, is to celebrate and support those working to provide innovative solutions for climate and environmental issues.

There was a focus on ideas from Africa for this year’s Earthshot Prize, with more than 400 African-led projects nominated and another 350 linked to the continent.

Although Africa generates the fewest emissions for global warming, many of its countries are among the most vulnerable to climate change.

As he spoke of his deep connection to Africa last week, Prince William said he wanted this year’s prize to provide a platform for innovators to bring about change for their communities and inspire young people across the continent.

“Africa has always held a special place in my heart – as somewhere I found comfort as a teenager, and where I proposed to my wife,” he said.

Much of the prince’s visit to Cape Town has focused on young people and the power they have to bring about change.

“Without them the future is looking pretty bleak so these are the game-changers, the innovators, the inventors who are going to make the world a better place for us in future,” he said.

A recent UN report warned that the goals of the Paris agreement to keep global temperatures under 2C while making efforts to stay below 1.5C are now in very serious danger.