Cape Town is set to host Earthshot Week from November 4 to 7, a momentous gathering dedicated to climate action, innovation, and impactful change. For the first time, The Earthshot Prize will hold its renowned Awards ceremony in Africa, with Prince William, the prize’s founder, leading the event on November 6. Earthshot Week unites global leaders, environmental innovators, entrepreneurs, and young visionaries, shining a spotlight on Africa’s contributions to climate solutions.
Schedule of Key Events:
- Youth Climate Leaders Programme (Nov 3-7): The week kicks off with an empowering series of masterclasses and networking events for 120 young leaders from Africa and Asia, designed to equip the next generation of climate advocates with skills and connections. Resources and insights from these sessions will be shared on the new Earthshot Resource Hub, launching soon.
- Beacons of Inspiration (Nov 4-6): Cape Town Stadium and the iconic Table Mountain will be illuminated green each evening, symbolizing Cape Town’s commitment to a sustainable future. This light display invites everyone to celebrate Earthshot Week and the innovation it promotes.
- Earthshot+ Day (Nov 5): This innovation-focused day brings the Earthshot Prize Finalists together to discuss solutions with the potential to significantly impact climate challenges. Earthshot+ aims to explore tipping points that could lead to widespread change, using data from thousands of global nominees to foster collaboration and scale impactful solutions.
- Roundtable Discussions (Nov 5-6): Experts from various fields will participate in a series of roundtable discussions on key topics, including food waste, nature conservation, sustainable fashion, and more. Insights from these discussions will be shared through Earthshot’s newsletter, providing global audiences with valuable takeaways.
- Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony (Nov 6): The week’s highlight is the Awards ceremony, hosted by Billy Porter and Bonang Matheba, where this year’s 15 finalists will be celebrated. The ceremony will be broadcast live on YouTube, with musical performances by artists like Davido, Diamond Platnumz, and the Ndlovu Youth Choir. High-profile guests, including Heidi Klum and Nina Dobrev, will present awards across the five Earthshot categories.
- Green Riders Ride4Change (Nov 7): This micro-mobility event, led by Green Riders (an Earthshot nominee), will see over 500 riders promoting non-motorized transport, advocating for green mobility solutions and climate-friendly jobs.
- Slingshot x National Geographic Workshop (Nov 7): A workshop for South African youth aged 13-18, this event invites teenagers from diverse backgrounds to explore environmental innovation and gain inspiration to become future Earthshot Prize winners.
- Sea Point Photography Exhibition: Throughout Earthshot Week, visitors can view a powerful photography exhibition along Cape Town’s Sea Wall, featuring stories of African climate resilience and innovation.
Celebrating Earthshot’s Finalists: Innovators Leading the Change
The 15 Earthshot Prize finalists include projects that address the critical environmental categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. Among the inspiring African finalists is Cape Town’s ABALOBI, a non-profit empowering fishing communities with sustainable practices and digital tools to protect marine life. These diverse finalists represent a range of innovative solutions, from reforestation and regenerative ocean farming to sustainable waste reduction. Each finalist competes for one of five £1 million prizes, awarded to projects with the potential to create lasting impact.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed immense pride in hosting Earthshot Week, reinforcing the city’s commitment to climate resilience through substantial infrastructure investments focused on green energy and sustainable water management. Earthshot Week in Cape Town highlights Africa’s pivotal role in addressing climate challenges, uniting voices that inspire a future of global sustainability. This week-long event not only celebrates groundbreaking achievements but also calls communities worldwide to action, underscoring the urgent need to safeguard our planet for future generations.
