Prince William is gearing up for his trip to Cape Town to host the annual Earthshot Awards, where he plans to shine a spotlight on the remarkable efforts made by the African continent in addressing the climate crisis. Africa holds a special place in Prince William’s heart, from finding solace during his teenage years to proposing to his wife and being the inspiration behind The Earthshot Prize. It was in Namibia where Prince William witnessed how innovative solutions to environmental challenges could lead to transformative changes for both humans and nature.
The Earthshot Awards were launched in 2021 to celebrate entrepreneurs and startups that are developing groundbreaking solutions to environmental problems. Each year, five winners are awarded £1 million each. This year’s event will be held at The Earthshot Prize Dome, a massive structure built next to Cape Town Stadium, which is the largest of its kind in Africa.
The Dome is twice as long as a rugby pitch and showcases the innovative design and engineering capabilities of South Africa. The event will also feature a special performance by Lebo M of Circle of Life from The Lion King, recorded at the iconic Table Mountain. This is the first time such a performance has been captured at this breathtaking site.
Africa was chosen as the host continent to recognize the significant contributions of African innovators in combatting climate change. Despite being the least contributor to global warming, Africa faces the most severe impacts of climate change. However, African countries have taken proactive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change.
Prince William’s visit to Cape Town will be without the Princess of Wales, who is gradually returning to royal duties following her cancer diagnosis. Prince William hopes that through the Earthshot Prize, he can provide a platform for innovators to scale up their solutions, attract investors to support African initiatives, and inspire young people across Africa to engage in climate action. He believes that collective ambition and urgency are crucial in reshaping the future of our planet.
