The famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro will be illuminated in green this week in honor of Prince William’s Earthshot Awards. The Prince of Wales has arrived in Brazil for a three-day event celebrating the nominees and winners of the prestigious environmental initiative, marking its debut in Latin America.
The Earthshot Prize will conclude with a grand awards ceremony at Rio’s modern Museum of Tomorrow, where five recipients will each be granted £1 million to further their impactful eco-friendly concepts. Prince William aims to draw attention away from recent royal family controversies, particularly the scandal involving former prince Andrew, by focusing on his Brazil tour, culminating with a visit to the COP climate summit in Belem.
Launched by William in 2020, the Earthshot initiative offers £1 million prizes in five categories, aiming to expedite environmental progress to combat issues like climate change, plastic pollution, and habitat destruction by 2030. The 2025 Finalists, chosen from a vast pool of nominees across 72 nations, embody outstanding climate leadership.
The upcoming ceremony is anticipated to reach a wide audience of 34 million viewers in Brazil and the UK through broadcasts on BBC and Globo. Prince of Wales expressed his enthusiasm for his Brazil visit, emphasizing the significance of recognizing and drawing inspiration from climate leaders for a sustainable future. Prince William is scheduled to visit the renowned Christ the Redeemer statue during the local festivities.
Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, highlighted the global network of climate champions established over five years, emphasizing the existing solutions to major environmental challenges. The recent move of Prince William and Princess Kate to Forest Lodge signifies a new chapter for the family, coinciding with Kate’s recovery and William’s upcoming trip to Rio for the Earthshot Prize Awards.