This week, Cape Town will welcome the prestigious Earthshot Prize Week, a groundbreaking event promoting climate action and sustainability solutions from around the world. Founded by Prince William, Earthshot Week—running from 4 to 7 November 2024—will feature a series of panels, though- leadership events, and culminate in the globally anticipated Earthshot Prize Awards on 6 November. The event aims to spotlight global environmental innovators and their solutions to some of the planet's most pressing ecological challenges.
Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony
The fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards will be a highlight, with Cape Town serving as a fitting backdrop for this celebration of environmental solutions. Hosted by the Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning actor Billy Porter and South African television icon Bonang Matheba, the awards ceremony will honor five finalists who have developed scalable solutions to address urgent environmental issues. Each winner will receive a £1 million prize to further develop their impact, across categories like “Protect and Restore Nature,” “Clean Our Air,” “Revive Our Oceans,” “Build a Waste-Free World,” and “Fix Our Climate.”
The ceremony will also feature performances by major global artists, including Davido, Diamond Platnumz, and Uncle Waffles. With additional appearances by Heidi Klum, Winnie Harlow, Nina Dobrev, and South African legend Lebo M alongside the Ndlovu Youth Choir, the event promises to be an evening of artistic celebration with a clear message of sustainability and hope.
The Week’s Events and Key Participants
Throughout Earthshot Week, Cape Town will host influential leaders, innovators, and thought leaders from the environmental field. Serving as host for Earthshot Week is Nomzamo Mbatha, a globally recognized actress and humanitarian, alongside Earthshot Global Ambassador Robert Irwin, who will join discussions on scaling impactful climate solutions. Nomzamo expressed her excitement about her role, noting, “The Earthshot Prize brings its message of urgent optimism, especially to young people, reminding us we can create a healthier, more prosperous future.”
As part of the week’s programming, the Earthshot Prize will host high-level dialogues and workshops, where current and past finalists will engage with environmental experts and investors. These sessions will connect innovators with influential figures capable of accelerating the development of their solutions. CEO of The Earthshot Prize, Hannah Jones, emphasized the importance of youth engagement, stating that Earthshot’s mission is to foster “urgent optimism” and inspire young people to imagine their own potential to drive change.
Global Broadcast and Community Engagement
The Earthshot Prize Awards will be broadcast in over 50 African markets in partnership with MultiChoice, reaching millions across the continent and globally via YouTube. A special green carpet pre-show, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and South African rapper Moozlie, will give audiences a preview of the night’s festivities and highlight key participants and themes.
Chairman of the MultiChoice Group, Elias Masilela, expressed pride in partnering with Earthshot, noting that “with more than 400 African-based solutions nominated this year, it’s an honor to amplify the innovation happening across Africa’s communities.” This year’s broadcast will celebrate African innovators, reflecting the continent’s critical role in addressing climate change.
A Global Movement for Environmental Change
Founded by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious environmental initiatives, inspired by President Kennedy’s Moonshot challenge. Each year, it celebrates impactful environmental solutions, with a goal of identifying 50 solutions within a decade. Winners are selected through an extensive process involving over 400 Official Nominators and receive access to year-long mentorship, resources, and global networking.
For more details and live updates during Earthshot Week, visit https://earthshotprize.org/ . This landmark event will not only celebrate the finalists but also inspire Cape Town and the world to join the journey toward a more sustainable future.