The Prince of Wales has urged the world to accelerate its response to environmental crises, warning that incremental progress is insufficient to address the scale of the challenge. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Prince William stressed the need for businesses, investors and political leaders to demonstrate greater commitment to scaling proven climate solutions.
"We're not moving fast enough,"William stated.
"We need more businesses, investors and leaders to step up, back what works and help bring these solutions to scale."
His remarks accompanied the announcement of 15 finalists for the 2026 Earthshot Prize, the global environmental award he established six years ago. According to reporting on his latest statements, Prince William said
"inch-by-inch"climate action is no longer adequate and that the crisis
"demands urgency"following a summer marked by widespread wildfires across the UK and Europe.
The Earthshot Prize remains central to Prince William's public agenda.
"Around the world, people are proving every day that we can restore nature and tackle climate challenges. Our 2026 finalists are an incredible example of that."He added that
"The solutions are here. The challenge now is scale. The progress is real. Now we need to accelerate it. That's exactly why The Earthshot Prize exists."
The finalists were selected from nearly 7,000 nominations submitted across 169 countries. Since its launch in 2020, the Earthshot Prize has identified more than 5,600 environmental innovations from 156 countries, with over 2,400 submissions received in 2025 alone. The initiative has already recognised and supported 75 finalists and awarded £25 million to winners.
Which projects have been selected as finalists?
The 15 finalists span a diverse range of environmental initiatives. Barcelona has been recognised for transforming one of Europe's most intensively used urban coastlines into a model for climate adaptation, with the city's architects praised for creating
"a global blueprint for climate adaptation."The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan was also selected, with the prize acknowledging how the country has embedded environmental protection into its national identity and constitution, demonstrating
"how a small nation's forests can safeguard water security across an entire region."
Community-led initiatives addressing waste reduction, nature restoration and clean energy also feature among the finalists. These include Indigenous ranger teams in Australia and an Argentinian artificial intelligence-powered wildfire detection and alert platform.
Two finalists are based in India, which will host this year's awards ceremony. Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, a manufacturer of electric three-wheelers, and the Mahila Housing Trust, a grassroots organisation developing climate resilience initiatives for low-income women, both made the selection.
How will the winners be chosen and rewarded?
Five winners will be announced at the ceremony in Mumbai, with one selected from each of the five Earthshot categories: protecting and restoring nature, reviving oceans, cleaning the air, building a waste-free world, and fixing the climate. Each winning project will receive £1 million to support expansion of their work.
The Earthshot Prize Council, which makes the selection, includes Prince William alongside Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan, actress Cate Blanchett, and chef José Andrés.
What is the significance of hosting the awards in India?
The decision to hold the 2026 ceremony in Mumbai marks the first time the Earthshot Prize awards will take place in India. India is already home to seven Earthshot finalists, including four previous winners, reflecting the country's substantial contribution to global environmental solutions. The Mumbai event will be the sixth annual awards ceremony since the prize's establishment.
What is Prince William's broader climate focus?
Prince William's emphasis on climate urgency reflects his sustained engagement with environmental issues. Earlier this year, he described wildfires across the UK and Europe as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by increasingly extreme weather patterns. On Thursday, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Isle of Bute to examine coastal protection efforts, prioritising environmental work amid broader royal developments.
The Prince's climate advocacy complements his other public initiatives. In September, he launched On Your Side, a mental health toolkit for sport backed by over 70 organisations including the Football Association and Premier League, designed to embed suicide prevention into sporting culture.
What happens next?
The finalists were unveiled at 11:00 BST on 18 September 2026. The Earthshot Prize awards ceremony is scheduled for November 2026 in Mumbai, where the five category winners will be announced and each will receive their £1 million award.
Key Facts
- Prince William warned that climate action must accelerate beyond incremental progress to address the scale of environmental challenges
- Fifteen finalists from 169 countries were selected from nearly 7,000 nominations for the 2026 Earthshot Prize
- Winners will be announced in November 2026 at the ceremony in Mumbai, with each receiving £1 million
- Since 2020, the Earthshot Prize has identified over 5,600 environmental innovations and awarded £25 million to previous winners
- India hosts seven Earthshot finalists, including four previous winners, making it a significant hub for environmental solutions
