S’Africa’s Earthshot week to spotlight African environmental innovation

Global leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and young people from around the world will next week assembly in Cape Town, South Africa for the Earthshot Week that is focused on accelerating environmental solutions.

The week will celebrate 15 Earthshot Prize finalists from across the globe and highlight the growth of inspiring climate innovations across the African continent.

The week will culminate with the year’s Earthshot Prize Awards, where five of the 2024 Earthshot Prize finalists will each win a £1 million award to grow their impact and support efforts to speed their solutions to scale.

Founded by Prince William in 2020, the Earthshot Prize has become a powerful global search engine unearthing the best environmental solutions and a platform for impact to catalyze critical investment and resources towards these solutions.

About 60 environmental solutions have been honoured as prize finalists and winners since 2020, and more than 2,500 solutions have been introduced to Earthshot through our network of more than 400 Official Nominators.

The prize has also helped unlock more than £75 million in direct and in-kind support for these solutions.

Some of the world’s most influential artists, athletes, musicians, and advocates will join The Earthshot Prize to spotlight inspiring environmental solutions to repair and regenerate the planet.

Actor, humanitarian, and Earthshot Global Ambassador, Nomzamo Mbatha will serve as host of Earthshot Week, and joined by fellow Earthshot Global Ambassador and Australian conservationist and wildlife photographer Robert Irwin across a series of thought leadership events and high-level dialogues. Billy Porter and Bonang Matheba will host the fourth-year Earthshot Prize Awards that will feature special appearances from Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Heidi Klum, Lebo M, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Nina Dobrev, Robert Irwin, Tobe Nwigwe, Uncle Waffles, and Winnie Harlow.

Also, Supermodel and television host Klum, actor and activist Dobrev, multi-hyphenate artist and actor Nwigwe, and supermodel and beauty entrepreneur Harlow will join the broadcast to announce the five Prize Winners from each Earthshot category, which correspond to critical environmental goals we must meet within this decade. The five ‘Earthshots’ are: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build A Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. MultiChoice Group Chairman, Elias Masilela, said: “MultiChoice is happy to partner once again with The Earthshot Prize to uplift the voices and stories of innovators from across Africa and around the world. With our extensive reach across more than 50 countries and millions of households, we recognise the profound impact we can make to share The Earthshot Prize’s message of urgent optimism.

“With more than 400 African-based solutions nominated this year, it’s an honor to help amplify the innovation happening across Africa’s communities and be part of this evening that empower youth, innovators, and dreamers to bring about the sustainable, healthy future we deserve. After all, we sit in the fastest warming region of the world. So, we do not have the luxury of deciding whether we save the world or not. It is imperative for us.”

The Earthshot Prize CEO, Hannah Jones, said: “Our yearly global awards are designed with intentionality, aiming to breakthrough into youth and mainstream culture, and to become a once-a-year ‘date in the calendar’ for infusing urgent optimism into the global environmental narrative. Together with partners from the arts, entertainment, sport and music, we are united with one aim: By showcasing Earthshot Winners and Finalists, can we spark young people’s imaginations and invite them to imagine a future in which they too could become an Earthshot winner.”

Mbatha said: “The Earthshot Prize continues to bring its message of urgent optimism to a global audience and reminds us all, especially young people that we can be part of creating a healthier, more prosperous future for our communities. There are so many inspiring Earthshot innovators who are dedicating their lives to repairing our planet, and I can’t wait to help share their stories.”