Prince William hails children’s future as he announces Earthshot Prize shortlist

Prince William has unveiled the shortlist for the Earthshot Prize ceremony, his popular environmental initiative.

In the footage released to mark the announcement, the Prince of Wales is seen walking to and sitting under an oak tree, recalling the time when the prize itself was unveiled five years ago.

“Back then, a decade felt a long time. George was seven, Charlotte, five, and Louis two; the thought of them in 2030 felt a lifetime away,” he said.

Describing the oncoming decade as “a threshold by which future generations will judge us”, the future king cautioned against actions that have the power to shape “forever the trajectory of our planet.”

The nominees for this year’s award ceremony in Brazil were hailed as “heroes of our time” by the steadfast royal environmentalist, while only one among them shares his British heritage — Matter Industries.

Adam Root, founder of the organisation which is shortlisted for inventing a washing machine filter that helps removing microplastics from oceans, has stated, “I feel like winning an Earthshot prize for me would be like winning an Olympic gold medal.”

Here’s the complete lineup for the nominees of the 2025 Earthshot Prize, for which Prince William will be present in Rio de Janeiro on November 5:

Clean Our Air

The City of Bogotá

The City of Guangzhou

The State of Gujarat

Fix our Climate

Barbados

Form Energy

Friendship

Revive our Oceans

Bonds for Ocean Conservation

The High Seas Treaty

Matter

Build a Waste-Free World

ATRenew

Lagos Fashion Week

Quay Quarter Tower

Protect and Restore Nature

re:green

Tropical Forest Forever Facility

Tenure Facility