The Earthshot Prize

Congratulations to all the amazing winners and finalists of the Earthshot Prize. Humbling and inspiring to see the work individuals and companies are undertaking to make our planet a better place.

The Earthshot Prize was created to encourage and incentivise change. To help repair our planet over the next ten years. The five different Earthshots are goals for our planet to help improve life for all.

Let’s take a look at the incredible winners!

Protect and Restore Nature

WINNER - Republic of Costa RicaRepublic of Costa Rica

Just 50 years ago, Costa Rica was plagued by deforestation. The president at the time, Rafael Calderon decided enough was enough after calls to stop deforestation at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. 

Landowners were given money to protect and restore forests, whilst the payments were funded through taxes on polluting fuel. This has transformed the country and doubled forest coverage. Eco-tourism is worth $2 billion a year to the economy, forests are preventing floods and Costa Rica is on target to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Clean our Air

WINNER - TakacharTakachar

$120 billion of agricultural waste is generated globally each year. This can include weeds, sawdust and livestock waste. Much of this ends up being burnt which is terrible for both the environment and the health of the humans residing close by.

Takachar is an amazing social enterprise which has developed a cheap, small-scale portable technology. It can attach to tractors in even the most remotest of farms and convert crop residues into fuel and fertilizer which can then be sold on.

Not only can this reduce emissions by up to 98%, but the resulting uptake in air quality increases life expectancy by 5 years!

Revive our Oceans

WINNER - Coral VitaCoral Vita

Coral Vita hasn’t been without its challenges; being impacted first hand by climate change. A year into their first coral farm, it was destroyed by a hurricane. 

Coral Vita have discovered methods to grow coral on land 50 times faster than traditional methods. And also demonstrating resistance to climate change. These can then be replanted in the oceans, giving life to marine ecosystems. A single farm could supply coral for a whole nation!

Coral Vita also works with local communities and organisations to educate and create job prospects.

Build a Waste Free World

WINNER - The City of Milan Food Waste HubsThe City of Milan Food Waste Hubs

When you consider that a third of all food produced is wasted, it strikes home what a huge issue this is. We are wasting precious resources.

Milan has tackled this problem head on being the first city to enforce a food waste policy. It brings together public agencies, food banks, charities and private businesses to distribute food to the neediest of citizens. For the three different Food Waste Hubs, they each recover 130 tonnes of food per year. 

Imagine the impact if other cities followed this lead. The positive impact it would not only have on food waste but also redirecting the food to those in need.

Fix Our Climate

WINNER - AEM ElectrolyserAEM Electrolyser

Imagine being able to turn renewable energy into an emission-free hydrogen gas. This could fuel cars, planes, and power homes. Exactly what AEM Electrolyser are working on! 

The funding from this prize will help them to scale up production and fund further research and development. Expect great things!

If you want to find out more about the winners and finalists, take a look at the website.