RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Britain’s Prince William expressed optimism on Wednesday about tackling global environmental challenges at a star-studded event in Rio de Janeiro for the fifth edition of the EarthShot Awards.
William’s first visit to Latin America comes just before Brazil hosts the UN climate summit, COP30, next week.
‘I understand that some may feel discouraged in these uncertain times,’ William said during the ceremony for the award, founded in 2020 and inspired by a visit to Namibia.
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‘I understand that there is still a lot to be done. But this is no time for complacency, and the optimism I felt in 2020 remains burning hot to this day.’
Named after John F. Kennedy’s ‘moonshot’ goal, the prize aims to find innovations to combat climate change and tackle other ecological issues, awarding five winners £1 million ($1.3 million) each to boost their projects.
Pop stars Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes, Brazilian musicians Gilberto Gil, Seu Jorge and Anitta, as well as Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, were among those who appeared or performed at the ceremony.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan also attended.
William will attend the UN climate summit in place of his father, King Charles. On his trip, he announced initiatives for indigenous communities and environmental activists and visited landmarks in Rio.
(Reporting by Andre Romani in São Paulo and Michael Holden in London)
